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 Effect of Heat Stress on Bacterial Composition and Metabolism in the Rumen of Lactating Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 925
Author(s):  
Zhao ◽  
Min ◽  
Zheng ◽  
Wang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Bacterial Composition ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

Heat stress negatively impacts the health and milk production of dairy cows, and ruminal microbial populations play an important role in dairy cattle’s milk production. Currently there are no available studies that investigate heat stress-associated changes in the rumen microbiome of lactating dairy cattle. Improved understanding of the link between heat stress and the ruminal microbiome may be beneficial in developing strategies for relieving the influence of heat stress on ruminants by manipulating ruminal microbial composition. In this study, we investigated the ruminal bacterial composition and metabolites in heat stressed and non-heat stressed dairy cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were divided into two treatment groups, one with heat stress and one without heat stress. Dry matter intake was measured and rumen fluid from all cows in both groups was collected. The bacterial 16S rRNA genes in the ruminal fluid were sequenced, and the rumen pH and the lactate and acetate of the bacterial metabolites were quantified. Heat stress was associated with significantly decreased dry matter intake and milk production. Rumen pH and rumen acetate concentrations were significantly decreased in the heat stressed group, while ruminal lactate concentration increased. The influence of heat stress on the microbial bacterial community structure was minor. However, heat stress was associated with an increase in lactate producing bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae), and with an increase in Ruminobacter, Treponema, and unclassified Bacteroidaceae, all of which utilize soluble carbohydrates as an energy source. The relative abundance of acetate-producing bacterium Acetobacter decreased during heat stress. We concluded that heat stress is associated with changes in ruminal bacterial composition and metabolites, with more lactate and less acetate-producing species in the population, which potentially negatively affects milk production.

Prediction of body weight and composition in lactating dairy cows: Relationship between body condition score and body composition

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
T. Yan ◽  
R. E. Agnew ◽  
C. S. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Body Concentration

Body condition of lactating dairy cows varies at different stages of lactation. Cows usually mobilise their body reserves to provide energy and protein for milk production in early lactation, and gain weight to deposit energy and protein for pregnancy at a later stage. The objective of the present study was to examine relationships between body condition score (CS) and body concentration of lipid, CP and energy.

Interaction between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation modifies milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning of dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio E. Beltrán ◽  
Pablo Gregorini ◽  
Alvaro Morales ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
Rubén G. Pulido
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Nitrogen Intake ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interaction effects between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation on milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning in lactating dairy cows. Forty-four Holstein Friesian cows were grouped according to milk production (24.7 ± 2.8 kg), bodyweight (580.6 ± 51.7 kg), days in milk (74 ± 17.1) and body condition score (3.1 ± 0.3), and then assigned randomly to one of four treatments: (1) L-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (2) L-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (3) M-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha, and (4) M-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha. All cows received a daily low herbage allowance of 21 kg DM measured above ground level, 3.0 kg DM of grass silage and 3.5 kg DM of concentrate. Herbage intake was similar between treatments, averaging 8.3 kg DM/day (P &gt; 0.05). Total grazing time was lower for M-PM compared with other treatments (P &lt; 0.01). Milk production was greater for M-AM and M-PM compared with L-PM (P &lt; 0.05). Urea in milk and plasma were greater for L-AM than L-PM and M-PM (P &lt; 0.01). Similarly, rumen ammonia was greater for L-AM compared with M-PM and M-AM (P &lt; 0.05). Nitrogen intake was 13.6% greater for L-AM than L-PM, and 17.5% greater for L-AM than M-PM (P &lt; 0.05). Nitrogen use efficiency was 22.1% greater for M-PM than L-AM, and 11.8% greater for M-PM than L-PM (P &lt; 0.01). In conclusion, the best management combination was observed when a medium herbage mass was delivered in the afternoon, maintaining a low nitrogen intake, low urinary nitrogen excretion and high milk production.

PSXIV-15 The effects of body condition score on the milk production and energy balance of transition dairy cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 472-472
Author(s):  
YangYi Hao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Transition Dairy Cows ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the effects of body condition score (BCS) on the milk production and energy balance of transition dairy cows. Seventy-five multiparous dairy cows were separated into four groups according to the BCS, HH (4.25 ± 0.23 and 3.35 ± 0.19 BCS, pre and postpartum, respectively, n = 17), HM (4.14 ± 0.15 and 2.92 ± 0.24, n = 19), MM (3.10 ± 0.21 and 2.78 ± 0.17, n = 23), ML (2.88 ± 0.23 and 2.46 ± 0.19, n = 16). The milk yield, rumen pH, etc., data were collected and analyzed using a one-way ANOVA model in SAS (SAS version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). The ML group had a higher milk yield and total solid yield than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05), while the HH and HM groups had no difference with other groups. The HM and ML groups had a higher milk fat content than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05), while the HH group had no difference with other groups. Milk protein content in the HH group was higher than the ML group (P &lt; 0.05). The milk lactose, total solids, urea content in these groups had no difference. The ML group had a higher milk acetone content than the HH group (P &lt; 0.05). The BCS change in the HH and HM groups was higher than the MM and ML groups, and that in the ML group was higher than the MM group (P &lt; 0.05). The rumen pH had no difference within these groups. These findings collectively indicated the prepartum dairy cow with middle BCS would have a more efficient body fat utilization and a better milk production performance. Furthermore, reducing body fat loss is necessary to avoid the negative energy balance.

scholarly journals The Order of Grass and Maize Silage Supplementation Modifies Milk Yield, Grazing Behavior and Nitrogen Partitioning of Lactating Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio E. Beltrán ◽  
Omar Al-Marashdeh ◽  
Ana R. Burgos ◽  
Pablo Gregorini ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Grazing Behavior ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Holstein Friesian

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the order of grass silage (GS) and maize silage (MS) supplementation on milk yield, grazing behavior and nitrogen (N) partitioning of lactating dairy cows during autumn. Thirty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments, and cows remained on these treatments for a 62 days period: (1) MIX; cows supplemented with 3 kg of dry matter (DM) of silage containing 1.5 kg DM of MS and 1.5 kg DM of GS in both the morning and afternoon; (2) GS-MS; cows supplemented with 3 kg DM of GS in the morning and 3 kg DM of MS in the afternoon; (3) MS-GS; cows supplemented with 3 kg DM of MS in the morning and 3 kg DM of GS in the afternoon. All cows received a pasture allowance of 17 kg DM/cow/d and 3 kg DM of concentrate. Grazing time and pasture intake were unaffected by treatment; however, milk production was greater for MS-GS, while milk protein was greater for GS-MS. Urinary N excretion was greater for MS-GS than MIX. In conclusion, MS-GS resulted in high milk yield but also high urinary N excretion, while MIX resulted in low urinary N excretion but also decreased milk yield.

scholarly journals Manipulation of the pre-partum diet of dairy cows to promote early adaptation to perennial ryegrass herbage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.M. Russo ◽  
W.J. Wales ◽  
B.J. Leury ◽  
M.C. Hannah ◽  
E. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Esterified Fatty Acids ◽  
Condition Score

The diet of dairy cows in Ireland traditionally changes abruptly from predominantly pasture silage before calving to grazed perennial ryegrass immediately after calving. This potentially leads to problems with adaptation of microbes in the rumen with consequences of reduced intake and ultimately lower milk production. This experiment aimed to determine if introducing first-lactation dairy cows to perennial ryegrass herbage in the final weeks of pregnancy, thus eliminating a major dietary change at calving, could improve the adaptation process, potentially increasing dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production in early lactation. Three weeks prior to their expected calving date, 14 spring calving dairy cows were assigned to one of two treatments (n = 7): pasture silage pre-partum and perennial ryegrass herbage post-partum, or perennial ryegrass herbage both pre- and post-partum. Treatment diets were fed for 11 (±7) d pre-partum and for 14 (±0) d post-partum. For both treatments, DMI increased post-partum, but there was no difference between treatments, pre- or post-partum (5.9 and 8.8 kg DM/cow per day, respectively). There were no differences in milk yield or composition between the treatments. Body condition score declined following parturition but there were no differences between treatments. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids, glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate were also unaffected by treatment but did indicate a state of negative energy balance in early lactation. The results of this experiment suggest that pre-partum adaptation to perennial ryegrass herbage would not benefit milk production in first-lactation dairy cows in early lactation in Irish dairy farms employing this system.

scholarly journals Metabolic and Productive Response and Grazing Behavior of Lactating Dairy Cows Supplemented with High Moisture Maize or Cracked Wheat Grazing at Two Herbage Allowances in Spring

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 919
Author(s):  
Verónica M. Merino ◽  
Lorena Leichtle ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
Francisco Lanuza ◽  
Julián Parga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Grazing Behavior

The aim was to determine the effect of the herbage allowance (HA) and supplement type (ST) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, grazing behavior, rumen function, and blood metabolites of grazing dairy cows in the spring season. Experiment I: 64 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were distributed in a factorial design that tested two levels of daily HA (20 and 30 kg of dry matter (DM) per cow) and two ST (high moisture maize (HMM) and cracked wheat (CW)) distributed in two daily rations (3.5 kg DM/cow/day). Experiment II: four mid-lactation rumen cannulated cows, supplemented with either HMM or CW and managed with the two HAs, were distributed in a Latin square design of 4 × 4, for four 14-d periods to assess ruminal fermentation parameters. HA had no effect on milk production (averaging 23.6 kg/day) or milk fat and protein production (823 g/day and 800 g/day, respectively). Cows supplemented with CW had greater protein concentration (+1.2 g/kg). Herbage DMI averaged 14.17 kg DM/cow.day and total DMI averaged 17.67 kg DM/cow.day and did not differ between treatments. Grazing behavior activities (grazing, rumination, and idling times) and body condition score (BCS) were not affected by HA or ST. Milk and plasma urea concentration increased under the high HA (+0.68 mmol/L and +0.90 mmol/L, respectively). Cows supplemented with HMM had lower milk and plasma urea concentrations (0.72 mmol/L and 0.76 mmol/L less, respectively) and tended (p = 0.054) to have higher plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. Ruminal parameters did not differ between treatments.

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