Unifeed: The Ideal Feeding For Cattle

Unifeed or traditional technique, which one to choose for your farm?
Let's find out together by analyzing the merits and demerits of each of the two methods!

What Unifeed means

Unifeed (literally, "one pot") refers to the special feeding technique that allows us to prepare and feed perfect portions of feed to our cattle without the need for additional supplementation.
Through this innovative technique, it is possible to break up and mix feed components in optimal ratios.
How can unifeed portions be made?
Obviously by making use of the mixer wagon.

Unifeed meal composition

Thanks to unifeed, animals are able to eat all the feed in the portions without having a way to choose which ones to discard.
Unifeed consists of finely chopped long forages and all the feeds required for the energy needs of the livestock.
This technique allows rationing suited to ruminal physiology by aiding digestion, preventing the occurrence of negative fermentations that could lead to problems such as ruminal acidosis in our animals.

Unifeed feeding and traditional method: advantages and differences

Among livestock farmers, there are still those who prefer to rely on the traditional technique for preparing feed rations for their livestock, a procedure in which the different components are fed separately and not mixed as in unifeed.
We decided to compare unifeed technique and traditional methods, find out the merits and demerits.

– FOOD PREPARATIONS

In the traditional technique, each feed is handled separately and not mixed with the others (e.g., hay/grass).
In addition, several different rations are distributed to animals throughout the day.
This technique involves little use of machinery, but longer timelines and especially the onset of digestion problems in cattle. Since foods are not mixed together, cattle can choose what to feed on and what to discard.
This behavior causes a change in ruminal PH and, among other consequences, implies a deterioration in milk production.
With unifeed these problems have not occurred; the mixer wagon finely chops and mixes the feed, which can then be easily distributed to the mangers.

– TEMPISTICS

The traditional technique requires much longer time frames for its realization than the unifeed technique. Each feed through the traditional method has to be chosen with special care, which requires more energy consumption.

– COSTS

It is interesting to point out that the unifeed technique overall has many more advantages than the traditional technique in terms of cost as well. In contrast, the traditional method requires a higher economic outlay.
However, it is also good to remember that deciding to opt for unifeed at the beginning may entail a substantial investment especially for the initial purchase of the mixer wagon, a cost that we are sure will be repaid by the countless advantages that will be obtained later through its use.

– EFFECTS ON THE PRODUCTION

If our animals are fed properly, surely their health condition will be better and accordingly this will also have a positive impact in terms of production:

• Milk in greater quantity and of better quality
• Higher farm fertility
• Lower frequency of diseases and nutrient deficiencies.

These benefits can definitely be achieved by deciding to rely on the unifeed technique.

Methods of administering Unifeed

As we have explained in this article, the unifeed technique is far more effective than the traditional one.
We refer to a method that is more innovative, automated, and definitely aimed at the future than the second one, which is more manual and tied to tradition.
Coltelli unifeed is an industry leader in the manufacture and sale of knives for mixer wagons, from the best brands on the market.

Take a look at our extensive product catalog and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us!