Darrell Reece,
Knob Lick, Kentucky

Increasing the yeast in the diet is one special feeding consideration used during the heat to help maintain dry matter intake at Darrell Reece's Dairy of Knob Lick, Kentucky.

Estimated response to POSILAC during the summer months is a seven pound increase in milk production per cow per day. "They gotta eat to make milk and they eat more when supplemented with POSILAC," says Darrell. The rolling herd average is 20,000 pounds of milk and the average summer production is 65 pounds per cow per day. Milking takes place in a double seven herringbone.

Cooling should also be provided to get the greatest benefit possible. Darrell says they currently use fans in the feeding area and free stalls, and have plans to add more heat abatement facilities in the holding area and return alley this summer. Cows are housed in free stalls and fed a total mixed ration.