Seasonality of calving in pasture-based dairy systems: its effects on herbage production, utilisation and dry matter intake

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. García ◽  
C. W. Holmes

The objectives of the present work were to evaluate the influence of season of calving on (i) pasture productivity, (ii) total dry matter intake by cows, and (iii) the relationship between intake and milk yield of individual cows. Three systems in which the cows calved either in autumn, in spring or half in autumn, half in spring, were managed according to a set of common guidelines during 3 consecutive years. Herbage accumulation rate (HAR) was estimated by the difference between 2 successive grazings (pre- and post-grazing herbage mass). Average HAR in each month was similar between systems. However, small differences in HAR were observed between calving systems in spring and summer, and appeared to be related to the proportion of the farmlet closed for silage. Herbage dry matter intakes varied seasonally (P<0.05), but independently of the calving system (P>0.05). Cows from different calving systems, offered 8.9 or 2.5 kg maize silage dry matter per cow daily in the paddocks, consumed an average of 6.0 and 1.4 kg, respectively. A large variation in intake was observed between individual cows with ranges from 2 to 10 kg and 0.2 to 2.9 kg, respectively. In conclusion, applying the same grazing management decisions to systems with contrasting calving dates resulted in only small seasonal, but not annual, differences in pasture HAR. The results also indicated that when maize silage is fed in the paddock, wastage can be high and variation in intake between individual cows can also be large.

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. KRÍZOVÁ ◽  
J. TRINÁCTÝ ◽  
M. RICHTER

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of leucine supplement in the form of rumen-protected tablets on milk yield and composition and plasma amino acids in four high-yielding lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was carried out as a cross-over procedure and was divided into 4 periods of 14 d (10 d preliminary period and 4 d experimental period). Cows were fed ad libitum a diet based on maize silage, lucerne hay and a supplemental mixture. The diet, defficient in methionine, lysine, and leucine, was supplemented with methionine+lysine (Control) or methionine+lysine+leucine (Leu) in rumen protected form. The dry matter intake, milk yield and milk yield expressed in energy corrected milk did not differ significantly between the treatments. Milk protein content and yield did not show statistically significant variation. The contents and yield of casein, fat, lactose and urea were unaffected by the treatment. Blood metabolites did not vary between the treatments. The introduction of Leu resulted in higher plasma levels of proline (p


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Shulin Liang ◽  
Chaoqun Wu ◽  
Wenchao Peng ◽  
Jian-Xin Liu ◽  
Hui-Zeng Sun

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the dry matter intake of first 2 h after feeding (DMI-2h), body weight (BW), and milk yield to estimate daily DMI in mid and late lactating dairy cows with fed ration three times per day. Our dataset included 2840 individual observations from 76 cows enrolled in two studies, of which 2259 observations served as development dataset (DDS) from 54 cows and 581 observations acted as the validation dataset (VDS) from 22 cows. The descriptive statistics of these variables were 26.0 ± 2.77 kg/day (mean ± standard deviation) of DMI, 14.9 ± 3.68 kg/day of DMI-2h, 35.0 ± 5.48 kg/day of milk yield, and 636 ± 82.6 kg/day of BW in DDS and 23.2 ± 4.72 kg/day of DMI, 12.6 ± 4.08 kg/day of DMI-2h, 30.4 ± 5.85 kg/day of milk yield, and 597 ± 63.7 kg/day of BW in VDS, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using the REG procedure of SAS to develop the forecasting models for DMI. The proposed prediction equation was: DMI (kg/day) = 8.499 + 0.2725 × DMI-2h (kg/day) + 0.2132 × Milk yield (kg/day) + 0.0095 × BW (kg/day) (R2 = 0.46, mean bias = 0 kg/day, RMSPE = 1.26 kg/day). Moreover, when compared with the prediction equation for DMI in Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (2001) using the independent dataset (VDS), our proposed model shows higher R2 (0.22 vs. 0.07) and smaller mean bias (−0.10 vs. 1.52 kg/day) and RMSPE (1.77 vs. 2.34 kg/day). Overall, we constructed a feasible forecasting model with better precision and accuracy in predicting daily DMI of dairy cows in mid and late lactation when fed ration three times per day.


2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 1548-1557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Massaru Fukumoto ◽  
Julio Cesar Damasceno ◽  
Fermino Deresz ◽  
Carlos Eugênio Martins ◽  
Antônio Carlos Cóser ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate milk yield and composition, dry matter intake, and stocking rate in pastures with tanzania grass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia), star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis cv. Estrela-Africana), and marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu). The grasses were managed in a rotational grazing system with Holstein x Zebu crossbreed cows, with a 30-day resting period and three days of paddock occupation. The pastures were fertilized with 1,000 kg/ha/year using the 20:05:20 (NPK) formula, split in three applications during the rainy season. It was used a complete random block experimental design with three factors being studied and two replications. In the experiment, four cows/paddock were used and, when it was necessary, regulator animals were added in order to obtain a supply of 7% body weight green forage dry matter. The animals were individually fed concentrate at 2 kg/day during the experimental period. Milk yield did not differ among the three grasses, with values of 9.1; 9.1; and 8.7 kg/cow/day for pastures with tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. Similarly, grass did not affect milk chemical composition. Stocking rate was similar among the three grasses, with values of 4.6; 4.5 and 5.0 UA/ha for tanzania grass, star grass and marandu grass, respectively. The highest dry matter intake was observed for tanzania grass with 2.6% of the body weight while stargrass (2.3%) and marandu grass (2.4%) did not differ among each other. The highest dry matter intake on tanzania grass pasture was not reflected on milk yield per animal. Milk yield and composition and stocking rate are similar among the evaluated grasses.


2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 595-606 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.G. M. Houdijk ◽  
I. Kyriazakis ◽  
F. Jackson ◽  
R. L. Coop

AbstractA nutritional hypothesis for the occurrence of the periparturient relaxation of immunity (PPRI) to gastrointestinal nematodes was tested within the bounds of a nutrient partitioning framework. It was hypothesized that at times of a scarce supply of metabolizable protein (MP), an increase in MP supply or a reduction in MP demand (having singles instead of twins) should lower the extent of PPRI in sheep. Twenty-one single- and 21 twin-bearing and -rearing Finn-Dorset ewes, 2 to 7 years old, and repeatedly infected withTeladorsagia circumcincta, were given one of three pelleted foods (no. = 7). The foods were formulated to supply 0·8 (L), 1·0 (M) and 1·2 (H) times the MP requirements during lactation, and were offeredad libitumfrom d–21to d35(d0 is day of parturition). Faecal egg counts (FEC) were assessed twice weekly as an indicator for host resistance. Dry-matter intake (DMI) during late pregnancy was higher than expected, and MP supply did not limit performance at this stage. In accordance with the hypothesis, there were no indications of a breakdown of immunity toT. circumcinctaduring late pregnancy. DMI during lactation did not differ between the single- and twin-rearing ewes. Calculated milk production was lower for the L than for the M and H ewes, especially for the twin-rearing ewes. A temporarily elevated FEC was observed during the first few days in lactation, which was probably mainly due to changes in faecal output rather than to PPRI. The FEC returned to low, late pregnancy levels at d12and remained low for the single- but not for the twin-rearing ewes (P< 0·001). Overall, the L ewes had higher FEC than the M and H ewes from d19onwards; this effect was more pronounced for the twin- than for the single-rearing ewes. It was postulated that DMI achieved overcame MP scarcity and thus prevented breakdown in immunity in the single-rearing ewes. The data support the view that, at times of MP scarcity, an increase in MP supply and reduction in MP demand can lower the extent of the breakdown in immunity towardsT. circumcincta.


Author(s):  
C.J. Hoogendoorn ◽  
C.W. Holmes ◽  
A.C.P. Chu

Two levels of grazing intensity were unposed on pasture during a spring-time pre-treatment period in two years at Massey University's Dary Cattle Research Unit. The two grazing intensws were lax (L), 2000-2500 kg DMlha residual herbage mass (RHM) and intense (I) 1000-1500 kg DM/ha RHM imposed for 2 grazing rotations. During this period, net herbage accumulation (NHA) on the L swards was approximately twice that on I wards. However, by early summer, NHA was greater on the I than L swards. Subsequently, during the experimental feeding period in early summer, herbage on the I swards contained lower percentages of reproductive tillers, grass stem, and senescent matter, and was of higher digestibllity than herbage on the L wards. Durmg the feedlng period, cows grazing the I wards had greater yields of milk and milk fat than cows on the L wards when offered both generous and restricted daily herbage dry matter allowances. The effect of ward type on dry matter intake (DMI) was dependent on dry matter allowance. However, when a common allowance of leaf was offered, DMI, milk and milk fat yield were not significantly affected by sward type on offer. The results emphasise the importance of maintaining green, leafy swards into late spring and summer in order to maximise milk yield per cow at this time. This was achieved by maintaining a RHM of no more than 1500 kg DMlha throughout spring by imposing sufficiently high stocking rates. Keywords: residual herbage mass, ward characteristics, dry matter allowance, leaf allowance, dry matter intake, milk yield.


1990 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Rook ◽  
M. Gill

ABSTRACTData on individually recorded silage dry-matter intake (SDMI), concentrate dry-matter intake (CDMI) and live weight of steers and data on silage composition including toluene dry matter (TDM), pH, total nitrogen (N), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) obtained from experiments conducted at three sites were used to obtain simple and multiple linear regressions of SDMI on other variables.Live weight accounted for a high proportion of the variation in intake but this effect could generally be removed by scaling intake by live weight raised to the power of 0·75 (M0·75). CDMI was the most important factor affecting scaled intake in mixed diets. TDM, NH,-N and VFAs all had important effects on SDMI. The relationship of SDMI with TDM was curvilinear suggesting that there is little to be gained in intake terms from wilting to TDM above 250 g/kg. The effect of NH3-N appeared to be related more to its correlation with VFAs than with any other nitrogenous constituent while the VFAs appeared to have a direct effect on SDMI. The effects of N and pH on SDMI were generally small. DOMD and NDF had relatively little effect on SDMI. Significant differences in intercepts between sites were found for most relationships although common slopes were often found.


2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 468-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Poláková ◽  
V. Kudrna ◽  
A. Kodeš ◽  
B. Hučko ◽  
Z. Mudřík

The main aim of this study was to investigate experimentally the effect of different composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) in prepartum feed rations administered to high-yielding dairy cows at a high concentration of NFC in the diet on dry matter intake both before and after parturition and on subsequent milk performance, body condition and physiological traits of rumen fluid and blood. Thirty-six high-yielding dairy cows were allocated into one of the three well-balanced groups (K, O, and C), and each group received a different feeding rations. Feeding rations differed in non-structural carbohydrate (NFC) structure. The "K" (control) group received a feeding ration with NFC in the form of maize starch in particular, while the feeding rations of the other two (experimental) groups contained either (besides maize starch) saccharose from dried sugar beet (the "O" group) or a dominant amount of NFC was in the form of saccharose (the "C" group). After calving, all dairy cows were given the same feeding ration from the first day after parturition. The experiment was conducted for 21 days before and 50 days after calving. FR in the form of total mixed ration was offered ad libitum. Dry matter intake, milk performance, body condition, live weight, and blood and rumen parameters were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake before calving was highest in the "K" group (14.32 kg per head). Differences among groups were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Prepartum dry matter consumption dropped as the rate of saccharose in the diet of cows increased. Dry matter consumption levelled off after calving. Milk yield was also highest in the "K" group (43.71 kg/head/day), but fatness of milk and thus the production of fat corrected milk were lowest in this group. The highest milk fat content (4.10%) and fat corrected milk production (44.03 kg/head/day) were recorded in the "C" group, whereas the highest milk protein concentration was found in the milk of the "O" group. The composition of NFC affected dry matter intake before parturition, but these concentrations did not significantly affect dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, live weight, body condition or blood serum and rumen fluid parameters after calving


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