Dietary ratios of maize silage to lucerne hay affect feed intake, chewing activity and milk production of dairy cows

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Akbari-Afjani ◽  
A. Zali ◽  
M. Gangkhanlou ◽  
M. Dehghan-Banadaky ◽  
S. M. Nasrollahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Chewing Activity

The present study investigated the effects of substitution of chopped lucerne hay (LH) for maize silage on feed intake, rumen pH and fermentation, digestibility, milk production and feed efficiency of dairy cows. Fifteen Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (37 ± 10 days in milk) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a completely randomised design. The experiment lasted for 80 days, with 10 days of adaptation and 70 days of data collection. Treatment diets consisted of 60% concentrate and 40% forage, comprising 30 : 10 (MS30), 20 : 20 (MS20) or 10 : 30 (MS10) of maize silage (MS) to LH ratio (MS : LH). Cows were fed ad libitum as total mixed ration. Water was added daily to adjust the moisture content of the feed to be similar across diets. Decreasing the ratio of MS : LH resulted in linear and quadratic decreases of DM intake and physically effective neutral detergent fibre, without affecting apparent digestibility in the total digestive tract. Decreasing MS : LH also linearly reduced total chewing time and tended to reduced chewing index (min/kg DM intake), but had limited effects on rumen pH and fermentation characteristics. Increasing the substitution of LH for MS decreased milk production (33.1, 31.7, and 29.8 kg/day for MS30, MS20, and MS10, respectively), and tended (P = 0.06) to decrease 4% fat-corrected milk and fat yield. However, milk content of protein (2.70%, 2.77% and 2.77%) and fat improved, and tended to improve by decreasing the MS : LH ratio, respectively. The efficiency of milk production, expressed as either milk yield/kg DM intake or 4% fat-corrected milk/kg DM intake, was not affected by the treatments. Results indicated that under the current feeding conditions, decreasing the ratio of MS : LH was not recommended to maintain milk production and DM intake.

scholarly journals Association of Feed Efficiency, Feeding Rate, and Behaviour with the Milk Performance of Dairy Cows

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 684-694
Author(s):  
Lenka Krpálková ◽  
Niall O’Mahony ◽  
Anderson Carvalho ◽  
Sean Campbell ◽  
Gerard Corkery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Milk Performance

Identification of the associations of cow feed efficiency with feeding behaviour and milk production is important for supporting recommendations of strategies that optimise milk yield. The objective of this study was to identify associations between measures of feed efficiency, feed intake, feeding rate, rumination time, feeding time, and milk production using data collected from 26 dairy cows during a 3 month period in 2018. Cows averaged (mean ± standard deviation) 2.2 ± 1.7 lactations, 128 ± 40 days in milk, 27.5 ± 5.5 kg/day milk, 1.95 ± 0.69 kg feed/1 kg milk—the measure used to express feed conversion ratio (FCR), 575 ± 72 min/day rumination time, and 264 ± 67 min/day feeding time during the observation period. The coefficient of variation for rumination time (min/d) was 12.5%. A mixed linear model was selected for analyses. The most feed inefficient cows with the highest FCR (≥2.6 kg feed/1 kg milk) showed the lowest milk yield (24.8 kg/day), highest feed intake (78.8 kg), highest feeding rate (0.26 kg/min) and BCS (3.35 point). However, the relative milk yield (milk yield per 100 kg of body weight) was the highest (4.01 kg/day) in the most efficient group with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). Our study showed that the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk) had the highest rumination time (597 min/day; p < 0.05), feeding time (298 min/day; p < 0.05), rumination/activity ratio (4.39; p < 0.05) and rumination/feeding ratio (2.04; p < 0.05). Less active cows (activity time 164 min/day; p < 0.05) were the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). The behavioural differences observed in this study provide new insight into the association of feed behaviour and feed efficiency with milk performance. Incorporating feeding behaviour into the dry matter intake model can improve its accuracy in the future and benefit breeding programmes.

The relationships between live animal measurements and the physical and chemical composition of dairy cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 1984 ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
D.I. Lamont ◽  
D.R. Neilson ◽  
G.C. Emmans ◽  
J. Fraser ◽  
J.H.D. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Physical And Chemical

A knowledge of the chemical composition of the dairy cow is Important in interpreting the interacting influences of body reserves, diet and feed intake on milk production. An investigation has designed to obtain information from a representative sample of Friesian/Holstein cows at different stages of lactation, different ages, and of different yield potential. This information is expensive to collect due to the costs Involved in slaughtering and analysing dairy cows, especially if they are high yielding cows at peak production. The animals used in the investigation have therefore all been Planned culls with sixteen in the later stages of lactation with only three killed in early lactation. It is intended to continue this investigation for several years to obtain a comprehensive data set on the chemical composition of the dairy cow.

Modelling feeding strategies to improve milk production, rumen function and discomfort of the early lactation dairy cow supplemented with fodder beet

2020 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. E. Fleming ◽  
D. Dalley ◽  
R. H. Bryant ◽  
G. R. Edwards ◽  
P. Gregorini
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Mechanistic Model ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Fodder Beet ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Deterministic Dynamic ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractFeeding fodder beet (FB) to dairy cows in early lactation has recently been adopted by New Zealand dairy producers despite limited definition of feeding and grazing management practices that may prevent acute and sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA). This modelling study aimed to characterize changes of rumen pH, milk production and total discomfort from FB and define practical feeding strategies of a mixed herbage and FB diet. The deterministic, dynamic and mechanistic model MINDY was used to compare a factorial arrangement of FB allowance (FBA), herbage allowance (HA) and time of allocation. The FBA were 0, 2, 4 or 7 kg dry matter (DM)/cow/day (0FB, 2FB, 4FB and 7FB, respectively) and HA were 18, 24 or 48 kg DM/cow/day above ground. All combinations were offered either in the morning or afternoon or split across two equal meals. Milk production from 2FB diets was similar to 0FB but declined by 4 and 16% when FB increased to 4 and 7 kg DM, respectively. MINDY predicted that 7FB would result in SARA and that rumen conditions were sub-optimal even at moderate FBA (pH < 5.6 for 160 and 90 min/day, 7FB and 4FB respectively). Pareto front analysis identified the best compromise between high milk production and low total discomfort was achieved by splitting the 2FB diet into two equal meals fed each day with 48 kg DM herbage. However, due to low milk response and high risk of acidosis, it is concluded that FB is a poor supplement for lactating dairy cows.

scholarly journals Effects of Prepartum Administration of a Monensin Controlled Release Capsule on Rumen pH, Feed Intake, and Milk Production of Transition Dairy Cows

2007 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 937-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.M. Fairfield ◽  
J.C. Plaizier ◽  
T.F. Duffield ◽  
M.I. Lindinger ◽  
R. Bagg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Transition Dairy Cows

The effect of feeding maize silage 1 h or 9 h before the herbage meal on dry matter intake, milk production, nitrogen partitioning and rumen function of lactating dairy cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Al-Marashdeh ◽  
P. Gregorini ◽  
S. L. Greenwood ◽  
G. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Condition Score

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the timing of feeding maize silage before a short herbage meal on dry matter (DM) intake, milk production, nitrogen (N) partitioning and rumen function of lactating dairy cows. Ten lactating, pregnant, Friesian × Jersey rumen-fistulated dairy cows aged 4–5 years were blocked in pairs by milksolids (MS; sum of protein and fat) production (1.73 ± 0.097 kg MS/cow.day; mean ± s.d.), bodyweight (519 ± 24.7 kg), days in milk (163 ± 12.5), and body condition score (3.9 ± 0.21). Cows within pairs were randomly allocated to one of two treatments: (1) five cows were offered one-third of their estimated total DM intake (5 kg/cow.day) as maize silage after the afternoon milking at 1500 hours, ~1 h before herbage was provided (1BH); (2) five cows were offered one-third of their estimated total DM intake as maize silage after morning milking at 0700 hours, ~9 h before herbage was provided (9BH). All cows were offered two-thirds of their total estimated DM intake (11 kg/cow.day) over a period of 4 h from 1600 hours to 2000 hours as freshly cut perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens) in an indoor system. Cows were adapted to diets for 9 days (Days 1–9), followed by 5 days of measurement (Days 10–14). Maize silage DM intake did not differ between treatments averaging 5.1 kg DM/cow.day. Herbage DM intake was greater (P = 0.02) for 9BH (11.2 kg DM/cow.day) than 1BH (10.4 kg DM/cow.day). Milk yield (P = 0.001) and MS production (P = 0.08) were greater for 9BH than 1BH (18.8 vs 15.4 kg/cow.day and 1.63 vs 1.48 kg MS/cow.day, respectively). There was no effect of time of supplementation on N partitioned to milk, faeces, or urine. The purine derivatives to creatinine ratio, as an indication of microbial protein production, was greater (P = 0.04) for 9BH than 1BH. Daily mean rumen pH and the concentration of total rumen volatile fatty acids, acetate, butyrate, and ammonia N were not affected by treatment. However, the peak concentration of ruminal ammonia N was 27% lower (P < 0.05) for 9BH than 1BH. The concentration of non-esterified fatty acid (P = 0.03) and beta-hydroxy butyric acid (P = 0.01) were greater for 1BH than 9BH (0.14 vs 0.09 and 0.81 vs 0.71 mmol/L, respectively). These results indicate that under herbage feed restriction, altering the time of supplementation relative to the herbage meal can increase herbage DM intake and subsequent milk production.

scholarly journals Milk production and concentrations of blood metabolites as influenced by the level of wet distiller’s solubles in dairy cows receiving grass silage-based diet

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-290
Author(s):  
Pekka Huhtanen ◽  
Harri Miettinen
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Blood Constituents ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Dietary Treatments

Twelve Finnish Ayrshire cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 4-week experimental periods to study the effects of replacing increasing amount of barley with wet distiller’s solubles (WDS) on feed intake, milk production, digestibility and blood constituents. The four dietary treatments consisted of grass silage ad libitum and 7.8 kg dry matter (DM)/d of barley, of which 0 (WDSO), 1 (WDS1), 2 (WDS2) and 3 kg DM/d (WDS3) was replaced with WDS. Mainly because of a greater intake of concentrate with WDS containing diets silage DM intake varied quadratically (P

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