Feeding molasses to dairy cows through lactation is beneficial for many reasons, says Contract Milker Josh Lavender. He notes increased feed consumption, better energy levels and maintaining condition score as the primary drivers for feeding the supplement every year.



Josh winters approximately 820 cows on 245 ha effective land at Platinum Dairies in Winton. Cold, wet conditions during autumn and spring are the biggest challenge to animal nutrition here. “Getting enough feed into the cows can be a problem, so we supplement with Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) and feedgrade molasses, from calving through to mating” explains Josh.

Molasses is a by-product of the sugar refining industry. With high sugar and low protein content, it is good for balancing the spring and autumn flush, when there is high protein in pasture, and aids in digestion. It is also good for balancing feeds such as PKE, grains and hay.



As a source of soluble carbohydrates, molasses is used to feed the rumen microbes. This in turn helps with stimulating appetite and optimising feed conversion efficiency. As such, feeding molasses at any stage of the season is beneficial.



Agrifeeds Feedgrade Molasses is supplied on-farm by PGG Wrightson. Technical Field Representative (TFR) David Wheeley has worked closely with Josh for the past eight years and is an advocate of the product.



“Molasses is an excellent supplement for boosting energy levels in dairy cows,” notes David. “It is particularly useful during spring, when the combination of cold weather, pregnancy and lactation puts a lot of pressure on the animals. Molasses provides the animals with some extra energy.”



At Platinum Dairies, the cows eat 500 g of molasses a day, mixed in with PKE. They get their daily rations at milking, on the rotary.



“Because molasses makes the PKE more palatable, the cows consume more feed” confirms Josh. “I believe they hold condition better with consistent in-shed feeding.”



An added bonus is that the cows smell the molasses and that helps with cow flow into the shed. “I know some farmers are sceptical about molasses helping with cow flow” Josh adds, “but our shed has limited air flow, it’s a bit dark and at certain times of the year molasses is all the encouragement the cows need”.



“Getting molasses on-farm is easy”, says Josh. “We rely on David to do the ordering and it is delivered when we need it.



"I use PGG Wrightson for two main reasons: one, I know that product is never far away and the in-store service is great. And, two, our TFR David gives us great advice. He’s certainly our main ‘go to’ when it comes to cropping and animal nutrition."



Article sponsored by Agrifeeds