ARTICLE 96 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2025 (such as over-crowding, poor stall design, poor hoof health) will also reduce rumination. Cows that accomplish more ruminating in stalls and lying down have higher rumen pH, consume higher dry matter intake (DMI) and produce milk with greater fat and protein content. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PARTICLE (TLC) SIZE OF FORAGES Applying the “Goldilocks principle” The term Goldilocks’ diet is often used when referring to the high straw controlled-energy diet for the dry cow. The attribute of this program is that it is incorporating just the right amount of energy – not too much and not too little. The Goldilocks principle can also apply to length of cut at harvest or particle size – not too short and not too long but just right for optimum performance. Particles that are too long can potentially lead to an increase in eating time; which could lead to a reduction in resting time. As discussed earlier, reduced resting time has been associated with reduced milk production. The compelling issue with long particle size is the increased risk of sorting behaviour that discriminates against the longer forage components (Leonardi and Armentano, 2003). Sorting against long particles can lead to rumen health concerns such as SARA (sub-acute ruminal acidosis). This can be exaggerated with diets that are high in starch and low in NDF or there is competition at the bunk due to poor feeding management or over-crowding. Particles that are too short may lead to reduced rumen motility, increased incidence of SARA and high passage rate of the forage particles. Post-ruminal fibre digestion (hind-gut) is negligible – this represents a lost opportunity for deriving nutrients from fibre in the rumen. Retaining the forage particles in the rumen environment will improve forage digestibility. Some practical recommendations: The ultimate goal for forage particle size is to produce a homogenous TMR that reduces sorting behaviour. We need enough physical structure to ensure adequate rumination through cud chewing and rumen contractions but not chopped so fine that rumen dysfunction may occur. A general recommendation would be to harvest forages at a TLC broadly between 12 and 22 mm. This can vary due to species, Photo: Lallemand Animal Nutrition
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