Milk Urea

We have had a significant number of dairy farmers reporting low milk urea this spring with some down as low as 4.  The normal range for milk urea is between 20 -30, which generally indicates that the cow is receiving a balanced diet with correct levels of energy and protein.

Milk ureas tend to be running high through the spring with cows grazing lush grass that has taken up nitrogen.  The conditions this year with the heavy rain has meant that fertiliser applied was either taken up by the plant and used up before grazing or leached into the soil.  This means that when the cows did finally go out to graze, the grass was lower in protein.  This coupled with lower energy levels in the grass this spring due to lack of sunlight earlier is contributing to the low milk urea figures.

The results at present should not be seen as a concern unless they continue further into the year when “normal” conditions return.  If there continues to be an issue, the diagram below will give you a guide as to where the imbalance in the diet might be:

To discuss this or other nutritional issues, please contact Phil Cooper on 07798 673665 or e-mail pcooper@fcgagric.com