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 > 0.05). Total grazing time was lower for M-PM compared with other treatments (P < 0.01). Milk production was greater for M-AM and M-PM compared with L-PM (P < 0.05). Urea in milk and plasma were greater for L-AM than L-PM and M-PM (P < 0.01). Similarly, rumen ammonia was greater for L-AM compared with M-PM and M-AM (P < 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 < 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 < 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.

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.

GRAZING BEHAVIOUR OF DAIRY COWS AND BODY CONDITION SCORE ASSOCIATED WITH SWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR PASTURE TYPES

2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-226
Author(s):  
O. A. CASTELÁN-ORTEGA ◽  
C. G. MARTÍNEZ-GARCÍA ◽  
F. L. MOULD ◽  
P. DORWARD ◽  
G. C. MIRANDA-DE LA LAMA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Bite Rate ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

SUMMARYThe objectives were to assess the following: (1) the relationship between sward height and chemical composition of four pasture types in association with grazing behaviour and body condition score (BCS) of dairy cows, and (2) the possibility of developing predictive equations of the nutrient intake and grazing behaviour within a continued grazing system. Pasture type had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on nutrient supply from January to June for all pastures investigated. Ryegrass–white clover pasture (RW) had the highest metabolizable protein and metabolizable energy, followed by kikuyu pasture (KP), which was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than native pastures 1 and 2 (NP1 and NP2). The highest values for effective grazing time, bite rate and BCS were found when dairy cows grazed RW followed by KP, NP2 and NP1. The results suggested that pasture type and sward height influenced grazing behaviour and BCS of dairy cows during the dry season. In the same vein, RW showed higher effective grazing time, bite rate, nutrient intake and BCS than the other three pastures suggesting that RW pastures that appear to be more expensive than native pastures could result in superior cow performance.

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.

scholarly journals Distribution of dominant follicles in postpartum dairy cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-191
Author(s):  
Benjamin Cengic ◽  
Nazif Varatanovic ◽  
Tarik Mutevelic ◽  
Amel Cutuk ◽  
Ermin Saljic
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Diagnostic Ultrasound ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Pathological Effect ◽  
Condition Score

Clinical and subclinical disorders and diseases cause reproductive failures and decline in milk production. Etiology of disorders is mainly because of pathological effect of microorganisms, lapses in nutrition and lodging, as well as in management. After partrition, body is under stress and milk yield is highest, which favors appearance of metabolic and infective diseases. Status of puerperium, number of lactation, body condition score and season of parturition, have highest effect to cyclic ovarian activity. Regular development of dominant follicles, ovulation, formation of corpus luteum and luteolysis is necessary for establishment of regular cyclic ovarian activity, which leads to better fertility. Experiment had included 50 cows during first 52 days of lactation. Cows were separated in two main groups, those with normal puerperium - NP (n=32) and abnormal puerperium - AP (n=18). Examinations have been performed during period of 6 to 52 days postpartum. Ovarian dominant follicles have been observed using diagnostic ultrasound linear scanner. The highest number of dominant follicles are present during first two examinations, then their number declines and later in last two examinations rise again. Decrease in number of dominant follicles in both groups is most expressed in period of 14-30 days. During first examination, left ovaries have more dominant follicles, compared with right ovaries, while during later examinations, it is changed in favor of right ovaries. Increased number of vital dominant follicles from period 38-45 days postpartum and absence of abnormal uterine content in lumen in same period postpartum is sign of upcoming fertile estrus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document