Nutritional Management of Dairy Heifers

2011 ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Melendez Retamal
2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
T J DeVries

There has recently been a significant increase in the amount of scientific research relating dairy cattle behaviour to nutritional management, particularly with respect to the interaction with health. Much of this research has been focused on using information on the natural behavioural patterns of dairy cattle to improve management practices. As with calves and mature dairy cattle, the behaviour of growing replacement dairy heifers interacts with various nutritional management practices. For replacement dairy heifers, much of the research in this area has been focused on how these interactions relate to different feed delivery methods, the amount of feed provided, and stocking density at the feed bunk. This review describes empirical work focused on understanding how nutritional management practices affect heifer behaviour, and how these practices may affect the health, productivity, and welfare of these animals. In particular, evidence will be provided for those practices (such as total mixed ration feeding, feeding for ad libitum intake, and reducing feed bunk competition) that promote feeding behaviour patterns related to more consistent nutrient intake and improved rumen health. Even though the behavioural effects of these nutritional practices are known, additional research is still needed to further demonstrate the possible physiological consequences (e.g., rumen pH, growth rate) of these changes in behaviour. This information is needed so that further recommendations can be made on these practices so these animals may be raised for maximum production potential, while maintaining their behavioural needs, health and overall welfare.Key words: Behaviour, nutritional management, replacement dairy heifer


1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 83-83
Author(s):  
C. Solano ◽  
E. Perez ◽  
B. Vargas ◽  
M. Herrero

The growth performance of youngstock has a double effect on the general productivity of dual purpose farms. First, it directly influences the beef outputs of the farm, and second; it has an indirect effect on the length of the non-productive period of the replacement heifers and their subsequent milk production ability. The latter effect has been well documented on dairy heifers in both temperate and tropical conditions. The growth performance of youngstock is dependent of the management intensity and productive orientation of the farm. This paper shows the effect of a series of nutritional factors and farming characteristics on the pre-weaning growth performance of youngstock in eighteen dual purpose farms in Costa Rica.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 83-83
Author(s):  
C. Solano ◽  
E. Perez ◽  
B. Vargas ◽  
M. Herrero

The growth performance of youngstock has a double effect on the general productivity of dual purpose farms. First, it directly influences the beef outputs of the farm, and second; it has an indirect effect on the length of the non-productive period of the replacement heifers and their subsequent milk production ability. The latter effect has been well documented on dairy heifers in both temperate and tropical conditions. The growth performance of youngstock is dependent of the management intensity and productive orientation of the farm. This paper shows the effect of a series of nutritional factors and farming characteristics on the pre-weaning growth performance of youngstock in eighteen dual purpose farms in Costa Rica.


2020 ◽  
pp. 54-59
Author(s):  
E. V. Gameeva ◽  
A. V. Dmitriev ◽  
A. E. Shestopalov

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Freret ◽  
B Grimard ◽  
A A Ponter ◽  
C Joly ◽  
C Ponsart ◽  
...  

The aim of our study was to test whether a reduction in dietary intake could improve in vitro embryo production in superovulated overfed dairy heifers. Cumulus–oocyte complexes of 16 Prim’ Holstein heifers (14 ± 1 months old) were collected by ovum pick-up (OPU), every 2 weeks following superovulation treatment with 250 μg FSH, before being matured and fertilized in vitro. Embryos were cultured in Synthetic Oviduct Fluid medium for 7 days. Heifers were fed with hay, soybean meal, barley, minerals and vitamins. From OPU 1 to 4 (period 1), all heifers received individually for 8 weeks a diet formulated for a 1000 g/day live-weight gain. From OPU 5 to 8 (period 2), the heifers were allocated to one of two diets (1000 or 600 g/day) for 8 weeks. Heifers’ growth rates were monitored and plasma concentrations of metabolites, metabolic and reproductive hormones were measured each week. Mean live-weight gain observed during period 1 was 950 ± 80 g/day (n = 16). In period 2 it was 730 ± 70 (n = 8) and 1300 ± 70 g/day (n = 8) for restricted and overfed groups respectively. When comparing period 1 and period 2 within groups, significant differences were found. In the restricted group, a higher blastocyst rate, greater proportions of grade 1–3 and grade 1 embryos, associated with higher estradiol at OPU and lower glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate, were observed in period 2 compared with period 1. Moreover, after 6 weeks of dietary restriction (OPU 7), numbers of day 7 total embryos, blastocysts and grade 1–3 embryos had significantly increased. On the contrary, in the overfed group, we observed more <8 mm follicles 2 days before superovulation treatment, higher insulin and IGF-I and lower nonesterified fatty acids in period 2 compared with period 1 (no significant difference between periods for embryo production). After 6 weeks of 1300 g/day live-weight gain (OPU 7), embryo production began to decrease. Whatever the group, oocyte collection did not differ between period 1 and 2. These data suggest that following a period of overfeeding, a short-term dietary intake restriction (6 weeks in our study) may improve blastocyst production and embryo quality when they are low. However, nutritional recommendations aiming to optimize both follicular growth and embryonic development may be different.


Author(s):  
Alexandre M. Gabbi ◽  
Giovani J. Kolling ◽  
Vivian Fischer ◽  
Luiz Gustavo R. Pereira ◽  
Thierry R. Tomich ◽  
...  

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