presentation here

Ration Formulation
by
Professional Nutritionists
Grand Valley Fortifiers has been balancing dairy
rations for the past 26 years
Rations are formulated in our office by a full time
nutritionist
Dairy specialists spend time with our customers
and their cows
Obtain feed samples
Assist with implementation of the ration
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Not a Part-Time Job
Many companies provide computer software
for their dairy sales representatives
They balance rations for their customers from
their home office
This is in addition to their many other sales &
service responsibilities
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A Full-Time Job
Grand Valley Fortifiers believes that
formulating dairy rations is
A Full-Time job
Best done by Professional Nutritionists
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Formulating your cows’ rations shouldn’t be
rushed through intermission.
Formulating your cows’
rations shouldn’t be rushed
Photo
through intermission
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Qualifications
Nutritionists are not recognized by law in
Ontario as are:
Veterinarians, lawyers, accountants etc
Quebec – rations must be formulated by
accredited nutritionist
Legally, anyone can formulate rations and give
recommendations
Many people working in sales or consulting are
referred to as nutritionists
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Professional Nutritionists
Invest 6 – 10 years in undergrad and post-grad
university studies
BSc (Animal Science) & MSc (Nutrition)
PhD (Nutrition)
Members of Animal Nutrition Association of
Canada Nutrition Council
Attend nutritional conferences and scientific
meetings on a regular basis
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Professional Nutritionists
Those who formulate rations for dairy cows also
ideally have farm experience
Grew up on dairy farm and/or
Worked on dairy farms
Visit dairy farms on regular basis
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Professional Nutritionists
Jeff Keunen
Raised and worked on Ontario
Dairy farms
University of Guelph
BSc (Agr) 1998
MSc (Nutrition) 2001
10 years at GVF
Regular farm visits
Mark Bowman
Raised and worked on
Ontario Dairy farms
University of Guelph
BSc (Agr) 1982
MSc (Nutrition) 1984
26 years at GVF
Regular farm visits
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Obtaining tools doesn’t make one a plumber……
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Team Concept
With over 150 years experience on our Dairy Team, Grand Valley Fortifiers
Nutritionists and Dairy Specialists provide a wealth of knowledge on dairy
nutrition and management .
Dairy Specialists
The face of our Nutrition Direct service
Maximize time spent face to face with customers
Maximize time spent in barns in front of cows
Trouble shoot problems
Knowledge of many aspects of dairy farm
management
 Barn design, animal care, genetics, cropping, producing
quality forages, financial/business planning etc
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Dairy Specialists
Partner with nutritionists in ration formulation
Obtain feed samples
Identify available forages and supply
Identify performance and health goals
Partner with customers to plan and implement
the feeding program
Manage feed inventories
Feed mixing and delivery
Monitor feeding program results and adjust as
needed
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Forage Laboratory
Dairy One in Ithaca NY – the leading forage
laboratory in North America
Provide our forage assays for past 20 yr
Sound ration balancing starts with comprehensive
forage assays
We start with a full digestibility and nutrient
analysis of your forages
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Forages are the Foundation
Forage intake is
formulated to
maximum potential
Key factors include:
 Body weight
 Milk production
 Butterfat test
 Stage of lactation
 Forage Quality
• Total Fibre (NDF)
• Digestibility (NDFD 30 hr)
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Energy Sources Optimized
Energy from concentrates
required for milk yield and
body condition
Balance supply from forages
Sources include:
 HM shell corn
 HM ear corn (cob meal)
 Dry corn, barley, bakery meal,
wheat products, beet pulp, and
soya hulls
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Balanced Protein
Proteins needed for milk
production & growth
Rumen Degradable
Rumen Undegradable
Amino Acids
Balance supply from forages &
energy feeds
Sources include:
 Eco Lac Dairy Supplements
 Soybean meal, corn distillers
grains, brewers grains, canola
meal
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Fortified Minerals & Vitamins
Minerals & Vitamins essential
for milk yield, health and
reproduction
Balance supply from forages &
concentrates
Customized premixes include:
 Eco Lac Dairy
 Bionic Dairy
 Millennium Dairy
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Trust your herd to the professionals at
Talk with one of our Dairy Specialists here today
or
Contact us directly at the office via
1-877-625-4400
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