By determining different percentages of forage and feedstuff lengths, you can determine how much long feed material should be added to meet nutritional needs of your dairy cows. Ensuring cows obtain minimum fiber levels keeps them from displaying metabolic disorders such as reduced total dry matter digestibility, reduced milk fat percentage, displaced abomasum (DA) and rumen parakeratosis. Reduced forage particle size can decrease the time a cow spends chewing, which can cause decreased rumen pH. Smaller forage particles also spend less time in the rumen, decreasing digestibility. Diets that are too long can reduce intake and limit production. Place 7 cups of forage in the top shaker box, then shake and rotate the unit 8 times. Weigh the remaining material on each screen and the bottom pan to calculate percentages of different particle lengths. Sieves measure 5/16” and 3/4”. Deluxe Kit also includes a scale, weighing container and instructions. Developed by Pennsylvania State University.
