Managing Through Forage Percentage
Our VitalMonitor tool uses the key indicator "forage percentage" to track the share of dry matter intake coming from forages for each group. Forages include corn silage, grass, and structural fibre sources like hay, alfalfa, and chopped or long straw. By-products such as beet pulp are not included in this calculation. The ideal forage percentage depends on the stage of lactation, milk production level, age of the animals and the goals of the farm.

In recent years, Vitalvé has seen excellent results by offering ad libitum pellet alongside a mixed ration to fresh doelings. In such phases, forage percentage typically starts around 10–12%. As pellet feeding is gradually restricted, this figure rises to 20–22% within the first few months.

Determining the Right Forage Ratio
It is essential to tailor the forage percentage to each individual farm, depending on their forage quality and harvest conditions. Across the farms we work with, we observe a broad range in forage percentages, from 20% to 50% of total dry matter intake. On average, dairy goat farmers using the VitalMonitor reported a forage percentage of 32% over the first seven months of the year.

Our data shows that as forage percentage increases, return over feed per goat per day decreases, assuming current milk and feed prices. In short: a higher forage percentage can mean lower returns. Farms with 45–50% forage generally achieve lower milk yields than the average. However, if animals maintain better condition and achieve greater longevity, the overall farm results may still match those of farms with lower forage use and higher production but also higher replacement rates. At Vitalvé, this balance is essential, and we believe many farms still have room for improvement in this area.

Use of Starch-type Feeds for Persistent Milk Producers
When feeding starchy products, like corn, alongside grass, it is especially important to limit their share in the ration for persistent producers. Ideally, these feeds should be used primarily for fresh goats and fresh doelings, and gradually phased out for animals in later lactation if feasible on the specific farm. Starch-type feeds can easily lead to excess body condition in goats. When such feeds are included in the ration, customized pellet blends become even more important to support targeted condition management

Feed Efficiency Drives Return over Feed
The key challenge is to achieve high feed efficiency even with a high forage percentage. The higher the feed efficiency, the greater the return over feed for the farm. Digestibility of both the forage and the total ration is important to maximizing feed intake and achieving high efficiency. When striving for high forage use, forage quality has a significant impact on outcomes.
With the help of OptiFerm indicators, we fine-tune rations to make rumen digestion as efficient as possible. In addition, Vitalvé uses custom-formulated pellets tailored to complement each farm’s unique forage base.

At Vitalvé, we’re committed to helping our goat farmers reach new performance levels every day. The VitalMonitor provides the data needed to adjust in real time, allowing us to work together towards optimal profitability. The forage percentage is a crucial indicator, helping us maintain ideal condition of your dairy goats and maximize your farm’s long-term success.
 

Karin Bekkers

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