Are there additives in cow feed?

Due to our climate and the large proportion of grassland, Irish cattle graze for up to 300 days each year. During the colder winter period, when grass stops growing, animals are housed and fed mainly grass-silage, often topped up with some meal/concentrates. These are often fortified with vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Concentrates for dairy feeding come in a variety of different individual ingredients, descriptions and forms. The choice of concentrate will be made based on the energy and protein needs of the cow, with common ingredients including barley, wheat, maize, soya, molasses, sugar beet, rapeseed meal or sunflower meal. Only animal proteins derived from milk, egg and non-ruminant gelatine may be used in dairy feeds. Feeds are available that have been untreated but some have additives such as ammonia, propionic acid or sodium hydroxide, which serve as preservatives and are approved ingredients.

Extra Information:

As indicated in the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Standard, feedstuffs, other than farm to farm cereal/fodder purchases, must only be sourced from suppliers approved by the competent authority and in accordance with the Feed Quality Assurance Scheme.