The productivity of dairy cows fed irrigated subterranean clover herbage

1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
Similar Range ◽  
Marginal Returns ◽  
Selection Of

A number of experiments were undertaken to establish the productivity of lactating dairy cows when offered green, immature subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) herbage and to study its utilization by these cows. The research included indoor feeding and grazing experiments and intensive metabolism studies. Levels of daily intake varied from 8 to 22 kg DM/cow and in early lactation, milk yields as high as 28 kg/day were sustained. Marginal returns to extra feeding, up to 15 kg DM/day in early lactation, averaged 1.4 kg milk for each additional kg of DM eaten above 8 kg DM/day. In late lactation, the return to additional feeding was 1.0 kg milk/kg of extra DM consumed over a similar range. Beyond 15 kg DM/day, the return increasingly diminished. Consideration of products of digestion suggested that fermentation of subterranean clover herbage in the rumen resulted in a balance of metabolites that is unlikely to be detrimental to animal production. Although the milk production data for the cows in the early lactation experiments fitted well together, one grazing experiment (in winter) did produce an unusual result. In this experiment, the cows offered most pasture did not perform as well as those offered an intermediate amount. It was considered that this was due to a characteristic of subterranean clover whereby the leaves are considerably less digestible than the rest of the plant; this resulted in selection of a lower quality diet by the supposedly best fed cows. The implications of this are discussed. It was concluded that, while few problems exist with the use of vegetative subterranean clover for lactating dairy cows, lenient grazing is not the most productive strategy when leaves constitute a large proportion of the sward.

The productivity of lactating dairy cows fed irrigated Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum)

1993 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1591 ◽  
Author(s):  
CR Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Rumen Fermentation ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Persian Clover ◽  
Marginal Returns ◽  
Trifolium Resupinatum

A number of experiments were undertaken to establish the productivity of lactating dairy cows when offered green, vegetative Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) herbage and to study its utilization by these cows. The research included indoor feeding and grazing experiments and intensive metabolism studies. Levels of daily intake varied from 1.3 to 4.5 kg DM/100 kg liveweight and in early-to-mid lactation, milk yields as high as 30 kg/day were sustained. In early-to-mid lactation, marginal returns to additional feeding were 1.24 kg milk, 0.046 kg fat and 0.034 kg protein for each additional kg DM of Persian clover eaten by cows weighing 500 kg. In late lactation, marginal returns were 1.10, 0.050 and 0.035 kg/kg DM for milk, fat and protein, respectively. In a grazing experiment, utilization of herbage on offer was very high, ranging from 58-88% as grazing intensity increased. Consideration of the products of digestion suggested that fermentation of Persian clover herbage in the rumen resulted in a balance of metabolites that is unlikely to be detrimental to animal production. However, there were two aspects of rumen fermentation that could influence the potential utilization of the herbage. First, for much of the year, levels of ammonia in rumen fluid (up to 500 mg/L) were much higher than microbial requirements. Second, rumen fluid pH often dropped to about 5.5, a level which may inhibit cellulolysis. The implications of manipulating these aspects of rumen fermentation are discussed. It was concluded that, while few problems exist with the use of vegetative Persian clover for lactating dairy cows, this herbage may be used more efficiently if fed in conjunction with supplements that provide a better balance of nutrients for fermentation in the reticulorumen.

The effect of asynchronous diets on the function of the rumen in the lactating dairy cow

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
A.R. Henderson ◽  
P.C. Garnsworthy ◽  
J.R. Newbold ◽  
P.J. Buttery
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Nutrient Flows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Overall Efficiency ◽  
Fermentation Parameters

Sinclair et al. (1993) found that a diet formulated to be synchronous with regard to hourly release of nitrogen and energy increased microbial protein synthesis by 14% in sheep. Dairy cows in early lactation experience a shortfall of energy and protein, with available protein determining the overall efficiency of metabolism (MacRae and Lobley, 1986) and subsequent milk production. It is therefore necessary to maximise microbial protein yield during this period. In this study diets were designed for lactating dairy cows to contain the same feed ingredients, but to release nitrogen and energy in the rumen at different times. Rumen fermentation parameters, nutrient flows to the small intestine and production performance were investigated.

Associations between early lactation milk protein concentrations and the intervals to calving for Holstein cows of differing parity

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (10) ◽  
pp. 2100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Fahey ◽  
John M. Morton ◽  
Martin J. Auldist ◽  
Keith L. Macmillan
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Average Interval ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

High milk protein concentrations (MP%) have been positively associated with the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. No studies have measured the effects of this association on subsequent calving dates in multiparous cows, nor assessed whether the underlying causal mechanisms are present in nulliparous heifers. Holstein cows (primiparous = 918; multiparous = 4242) were selected from herds that had seasonally concentrated calving patterns resulting from seasonally restricted breeding periods. In seasonally calving herds, the date of a herd’s planned start of calving (PSC date) is the average gestation length of 282 days after the date that the preceding breeding period commenced, so that the interval from the herd’s PSC date to each cow’s actual calving date (PSC-to-calving interval) primarily reflects the time to conception from the start of the breeding period in the previous year. This measure was used to compare associations between the average MP% during the first 120 days of lactation and time to the calving that initiated that lactation in primiparous and multiparous cows. Early lactation MP% was negatively associated with PSC-to-calving interval. A 1% difference in MP% was associated with an 8-day difference in the average PSC-to-calving interval in primiparous cows and a 31–35-day difference in the average interval in multiparous cows. The observed associations between early lactation MP% and PSC-to-calving interval are likely to involve determinants present during a cow’s breeding period that affect the probability of conception. Some of these determinants are not restricted to early lactation as the association between MP% and PSC-to-calving interval in primiparous cows is a reflection of the reproductive performance in nulliparous heifers at ~15 months of age.

Urinary sediments in sheep feeding on oestrogenic clover. I. Preliminary observations on changes in certain urinary constituents

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 933 ◽  
Author(s):  
WJ Parr ◽  
P Steele ◽  
B Gabbedy ◽  
MC Nottle
Keyword(s):  
Direct Relationship ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Urinary Calcium ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Calcium Excretion ◽  
Total Phenols ◽  
Isoflavone Content ◽  
Daily Excretion

In recent years a series of widespread outbreaks of acute urinary obstruction has occurred in spring in Merino wethers. Animals involved have been grazing oestrogenic strains of subterranean clover at a time when isoflavone concentrations can be expected to be high. Studies have been made on one property on the relationships between these outbreaks, the pasture isoflavone content, and the urinary excretion of phenolic and other constituents by wethers. A trial group of animals was grazed on a dominant sward of the highly oestrogenic Trifolium subterraneum cv. Dinninup during winter and spring. Isoflavone concentrations in the clover reached a peak in early August. However, since the pasture became highly clover-dominant in September and early October the maximum daily intake of isoflavones probably occurred during this period, which also coincided with the occurrence of maximum concentration and maximum daily excretion of total phenols and acid-precipitable material (APM) in the urine. It is suggested that the sediments causing clinical obstructions at this time of the year may be a direct result of increased excretion of phenols. APM showed a highly significant direct relationship with total phenols but its excretion increased at a greater rate than did that of phenols. Urinary calcium excretion also increased at the same time.

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.

Respiratory burst activity of blood and milk neutrophils in dairy cows during different stages of lactation

2001 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
JALIL MEHRZAD ◽  
HILDE DOSOGNE ◽  
EVELYNE MEYER ◽  
ROGER HEYNEMAN ◽  
CHRISTIAN BURVENICH
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Respiratory Burst ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Burst Activity ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Respiratory Burst Activity ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

The non-stimulated and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated luminol-augmented cellular chemiluminescence (CL) response and viability of milk and blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were determined in lactating dairy cows during different stages of lactation. In the first study, ten healthy cows each in early, mid and late lactation were compared. In a second study, the same measurements as in the first study were evaluated longitudinally in 12 cows during 1 month following parturition. The CL activity and myeloperoxidase (MPO) content of milk PMN and macrophages (M) were also compared. Milk M did not possess MPO activity and were devoid of any luminol-enhanced CL. The CL activity of milk and blood PMN was significantly lower in early lactation than in mid and late lactation (P < 0·001). Whereas little changes were observed in viability of blood PMN, the viability of milk PMN was lower in early lactation than in mid and late lactation (P < 0·001). The percentage of PMN in isolated milk cells was also lower during early lactation than during mid and late lactation (P < 0·001). The CL activity in response to PMA during early, mid and late lactation increased 13, 59 and 42-fold in blood PMN and 1·7, 2·6 and 2·4-fold in milk PMN, respectively, in comparison with non-stimulated PMN. The CL activity, both in milk and blood PMN, the milk PMN viability and the percentage of milk PMN were lowest between 3 d and 11 d post partum. These observed changes immediately after calving could contribute to a higher susceptibility to mastitis in that period.

The effect of protein supplements on the production and composition of milk from dairy cows fed high levels of grain with pasture silage in early lactation

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Valentine ◽  
BD Bartsch
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Blood Meal ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Grain Protein ◽  
Protein Supplement ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Meat Meal ◽  
Holstein Friesian

Milk production and composition were measured for 42 days in 76 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle in early lactation fed a 3 : 1 barley-lupin grain mixture with protein supplements of lupins, meat meal, blood meal, or cottonseed meal. The crude protein content of all grain-protein supplement mixtures was 21%. The cows were fed 9 kglday of the grain-protein supplement mixtures, and perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture silage was available ad libitum. When data from all cows were analysed, no significant differences were recorded in the production and composition of milk from cows fed the different protein supplements. However, analysing only data from those cows producing >25 L/day, there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in the production per day by cows fed blood meal (29.6 L milk, 0.81 kg protein) compared with those fed lupins (27.0, 0.76), meat meal (26.9, 0.75), or cottonseed meal (27.6, 0.75). The rate and extent of degradation of nitrogen in the protein supplements incubated in dacron bags in the rumen of steers was significantly (P<0.05) less for blood meal than for the other protein supplements. Under the conditions of this experiment, blood meal was a more suitable protein supplement than lupins for the production of milk and milk protein in dairy cows in early lactation producing >25 L milk/day.

Estimation of roughage intake in sheep using a known daily intake of a labelled supplement

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Elwert ◽  
H. Dove
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Feeding Trial ◽  
Supplement Intake ◽  
Matter Basis

AbstractA feeding trial with growing sheep was conducted on mixed roughage-supplement diets, to test whether roughage intake could be estimated from a known intake of a supplement and an alkane-based estimate of the supplement and roughage proportions in the diet (diet composition) without the need for separate dosing with external marker alkanes. Diets consisted of chaffed Trifolium subterraneum hay (SC), or a mix of SC and beeswax-labelled cottonseed meal (CSM) in the proportions of 7: 1, 6: 2, 5: 3 and 4: 4 (air-dry matter basis). Six sheep were given the pure SC diet and three sheep were given each of the mixed diets. Additionally, the CSM was also labelled with octatriacontane (C38) to investigate its use for labelling supplements. Due to unexpectedly low recoveries, C38 was not included in any estimation of diet composition or digestibility.The inclusion of beeswax-labelled CSM in a SC diet resulted in lower faecal alkane recoveries (as proportions of alkane ingested; P ≤ 0·05). Within mixed diets, recoveries decreased significantly with increasing proportion of CSM, but this effect was significant (P < 0·05) only for alkanes consisting of 25, 26, 27 and 29 carbon-atoms. Estimates of diet composition were close to measured values. Daily SC intake and organic matter digestibility (OMD) differed by −3·7 to 7·2% and −2·0 to 5·7% from measured values if a mean faecal recovery, across diets, was applied for each alkane. Accuracy increased greatly if estimates were based upon faecal alkane recoveries for individual diets, instead of mean recoveries across diets (−0·3 to 0·9% and −0·2 to 0·0% for SC intake and OMD, respectively).The results indicate that roughage intake can be estimated from a combination of known supplement intake and an estimate of diet composition, which obviates the need for separate alkane dosing to estimate intake. The method should be applicable in situations in which animals either normally receive supplements (e.g., dairy cows) or could readily be given supplements.

Quantitative aspects of phytooestrogen metabolism in sheep fed on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum cultivar clare) or red clover (Trifolium pratense)

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Shutt ◽  
RH Weston ◽  
JP Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Residence Time ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Biochanin A ◽  
Free Form ◽  
The Mean ◽  
High Level

Studies have been made of the digestion and metabolism in Merino wethers of the isoflavones in subterranean clover (Trtfolium subterraneurn cv. Clare) and red clover (T. pratense). The dietary intake of isoflavones with both clovers was about 9 g per day. With the subterranean clover, the isoflavones were predominantly genistein and biochanin A, and slight teat length increases in the wethers ingesting this clover indicated a low level of oestrogenicity. With the red clover formononetin represented 60% of the isoflavone present and the wethers on this diet exhibited maximal teat length increases indicating a high level of oestrogenicity. Less than 1 % of the daily intake of the isoflavones was excreted as such in the faeces and urine; hence most of these compounds were metabolized or retained in the sheep. The dietary isoflavones were found to disappear rapidly from the rumen, and it was estimated by using marker techniques that the removal of these compounds from the stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum) was virtually complete. Equol (7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavan), a metabolite of formononetin, was the predominant phyto-oestrogen in the digesta and excreta when red clover was given. The excretion of 3.9 g/day of this compound, mainly in urine, was equivalent to 70% of the intake of formononetin. It was calculated that about 86% of the equol produced in the rumen was absorbed from that organ; the mean residence time for equol in the rumen was estimated to be 1.7 hr. The isoflavones were present in blood plasma mainly in conjugated forms. Equol predominated with both clovers. The levels of equol were much lower with the subterranean clover than with the red clover diet; the concentrations of the conjugated form were respectively 13 and 300-440 �g/100 ml. Equol in the free form, although not detectable with the subterranean clover, was present at 4-10 �g/100 ml with red clover. The data were considered to be consistent with the conclusion that equol accounts for most of the phyto-oestrogenic activity in sheep fed on clovers containing high levels of formononetin.

scholarly journals Legume Ecotypes and Commercial Cultivars Differ in Performance and Potential Suitability for Use as Permanent Living Mulch in Mediterranean Vegetable Systems

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1836
Author(s):  
Federico Leoni ◽  
Mariateresa Lazzaro ◽  
Stefano Carlesi ◽  
Anna-Camilla Moonen
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Plant Competition ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Medicago Polymorpha ◽  
Commercial Cultivars ◽  
Promising Solution ◽  
Selection Of

Weed control in organic conservative vegetable systems is extremely challenging and the use of legume permanent living mulches (pLM) presents an interesting opportunity. The successful use of pLM is largely determined by the choice of appropriate legumes which are able to combine adequate weed control with a marginal competitive effect on the cash crop(s). However, the availability of legumes for such systems is limited and their characterization based on growth traits can support the selection of suitable legumes for conservation organic vegetable systems. The current study investigated weed control capacity and variability in morphological and phenological traits relevant in inter-plant competition among a range of 11 commercial cultivars of legumes and seven ecotypes of Medicago polymorpha (bur medic). For commercial cultivars, Lotus corniculatus (bird’s-foot trefoil) and Trifolium repens (white clover) showed the best weed control capacity, while Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) and Medicago polymopha had more suitable characteristics for a rapid and complete establishment of the pLM. Overall, legume mulches appear more effective in dicotyledonous than in monocotyledonous weed control. Trifolium subterraneum cv. Antas and T. repens cv. Haifa were identified as the potentially most suitable legumes for use as pLM and their use in mixtures could be a promising solution. In addition, the ecotypes of Medicago polymorpha Manciano and Talamone proved to be well adapted for local environmental conditions and they showed a better weed suppression than the commercial cultivars of Medicago polymorpha.

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