Feed conversion efficiency as a key determinant of dairy herd performance: a review

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Beever ◽  
P. T. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Feed Costs

This paper focuses on dairy herd performance in the United Kingdom and southern Australia, where feed costs have been estimated to comprise between 40 and 67% of the total costs of production. The efficiency of conversion of grazed pasture, home grown forages and purchased feeds into milk has a major bearing on farm profit. Feed conversion efficiency (FCE), defined as ‘kg milk of standardised composition with respect to protein and fat concentrations produced per kg feed dry matter consumed’, is a useful measure of the performance of a farm feeding system, but is seldom used by dairy farmers. It could also be defined as ‘g protein plus fat produced per kg feed dry matter consumed’, given that farmers are often paid for these components. The value of estimating FCE on an annual or shorter-term basis is discussed in relation to accepted principles of feed utilisation and dairy cow energy requirements. The implications of feed intake, conversion of ingested nutrients into absorbed nutrients and the subsequent utilisation of these nutrients for milk production or other purposes, as well as the effects of stage of lactation on FCE, are reviewed. Measuring FCE and identifying opportunities for improvement is relatively straightforward in housed feeding systems, but is more problematic under grazing. Hence, approaches and the key assumptions in estimating FCE in grazing situations, as well as possible limitations of these estimates, are discussed. Finally, a case study examining the potential impact of improved nutritional strategies on FCE and on margin over feed costs is presented. It is concluded that, to remain profitable, dairy farmers need to have a sound knowledge of cow nutrition, along with appropriate measures of FCE to monitor the performance of their milk production system. Such indicators of the biological performance of the farming system are most useful when used in conjunction with appropriate measures of economic performance.

Feed conversion efficiency and marginal milk production responses of pasture-fed dairy cows offered supplementary grain during an extended lactation

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
C. Grainger ◽  
K. L. Macmillan ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
M. Hannah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
Extended Lactation

A study was conducted to quantify the feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and marginal milk responses of pasture-fed cows offered supplementary grain during an extended lactation of 670 days. The experiment used three groups of 10 Holstein cows in four experimental periods of 4 weeks, beginning when cows were ~60, 240, 420 and 530 days in milk (DIM). In each experimental period, cows were individually fed diets of either freshly cut perennial ryegrass pasture supplemented with triticale (60 and 420 DIM), or pasture silage and lucerne hay supplemented with wheat (240 and 530 DIM). On each occasion, one of the three groups was offered additional grain at 0.0, 2.5 or 5.0 kg DM/cow.day. Milk production was measured daily and concentrations of milk fat and protein weekly. These data were used to calculate FCE and marginal responses of milk, energy-corrected milk and milk solids (fat + protein). Results showed FCE was highest at 60 DIM and lowest at 530 DIM. Increased DM intake because of increased grain intake led to increased FCE at 240 and 530 DIM when the energy concentration of forage was lowest. Marginal milk responses were not different at any stage of lactation. For milk solids and energy-corrected milk, responses at 240 DIM were the same as at 530 DIM, but greater than at 60 DIM and 420 DIM. This study provides the first Australian data about FCE and marginal milk production responses to grain supplementation of pasture-fed cows undergoing an extended lactation. The results should provide farmers with confidence that good responses to grain can be achieved even in the latter part of a 22-month lactation.

Effect of defaunation on body conformation changes, wool yield and fibre characteristics of growing lambs in a hot semiarid environment

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 789 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Santra ◽  
S. Parthasarathy ◽  
S. A. Karim
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Height ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Wool Fibre ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Wool Yield ◽  
Fibre Characteristics

The efficacy of sodium laurel sulfate as a defaunating agent, as well as effect of defaunation on body confirmation changes, wool yield and fibre characteristics, were evaluated in growing lambs in a 90-day feeding experiment. Forty-five Malpura male weaner (90-day old) lambs were divided into three equal groups: defaunated, refaunated and faunated. The lambs of defaunated and refaunated groups were defaunated by oral administration of sodium laurel sulfate at the rate of 8 g/100 kg liveweight as a 10% aqueous solution. Six days after defaunation, all the lambs of the refaunated group were refaunated by inoculation of 100 mL rumen content per lamb drawn from a normal faunated sheep. All the experimental lambs were maintained under stall feeding on a complete feed containing 50 : 50 Pala (Ziziphus nummularia) leaf and concentrate. Treatments did not differ in intake of dry matter, digestible crude protein or digestible energy. Body height and paunch girth were greater (P < 0.01) in defaunated compared to refaunated and faunated lambs. With similar dry matter intake in the three experimental groups, liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency and wool yield were higher (P < 0.01) in defaunated lambs. The wool fibre diameter and medullation percentage were higher (P < 0.01) in defaunated than refaunated and faunated lambs. It was concluded from the study that, with similar dry matter intake and plane of nutrition, the growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and wool yield were higher in defaunated lambs, as compared to refaunated and faunated lambs. Higher paunch girth in defaunated lambs resulted in a pot-bellied appearance of the animals.

Impact of feeding balanced rations on milk production, methane emission, metabolites and feed conversion efficiency in lactating cows

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Sherasia ◽  
B. T. Phondba ◽  
S. A. Hossain ◽  
B. P. Patel ◽  
M. R. Garg
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Methane Emission ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Microbial Nitrogen ◽  
Enteric Methane ◽  
Effect Of Feeding ◽  
Phosphorus Intake

A field study on early lactating crossbred cows (n=35) was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding balanced rations on milk production, enteric methane emission, metabolites and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). In comparison to requirements, the dietary intake of protein and energy were higher by 25.0 and 12.7% whereas, calcium and phosphorus intake were lower by 30.0 and 27.0%, respectively. Balanced feeding improved daily 4% FCM yield by 0.7 kg/cow (P<0.05) and intestinal flow of microbial nitrogen (N) by 37.0% (P<0.01), whereas, reduced (P<0.01) feeding cost by 17.0% and enteric methane emission (g/d/cow and g/kg milk yield) by 14.6 and 18.1%, respectively. Level of IgG, IgA, IgM and uric acid content increased significantly, whereas BUN level reduced (P<0.01) from 18.2 to 15.0 mg/dl. FCE improved (P<0.01) from 0.8 to 1.0 and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis also improved (P<0.01) by 63.6% owing to feeding of balanced rations indicating better performance of cows. Present study indicates that feeding nutritionally balanced rations improved milk production, feed conversion efficiency and reduced methane emission in lactating cows under field conditions.

Performance of steers fed grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) of varying sorghum midge (Contarinia sorghicola) resistance

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
DB Strachan ◽  
RD Dillon ◽  
RG Henzell
Keyword(s):  
Sorghum Bicolor ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grain Sorghum ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Contarinia Sorghicola ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Sorghum Midge ◽  
Moderate Resistance

This experiment examined the association between the level of sorghum midge resistance of a grain sorghum hybrid and its ultilisation by cattle. Twenty-five Hereford steers were placed in individual pens and fed a feedlot ration (80% grain) for 8 weeks containing 1 of the following grain sorghum hybrids: Pacific 810, DK55plus (susceptible to midge); Barrier (low resistance to midge); AQL39/QL36, DK470 (moderate resistance to midge). There was no significant (P>0.05) difference between the hybrids in dry matter intake, liveweight gain, feed conversion efficiency, apparent nitrogen digestibility, and digestibility of the dry matter. No tannins were detected in the grain of any of the hydrids. It was concluded that the development of grain sorghum hybrids resistant to sorghum midge will not affect the utilisation of the grain in steers.

scholarly journals The influence of partial replacement of barley with dietary fat sources on growth and feed conversion efficiency of growing bulls

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-278
Author(s):  
Alem Tsehai Tesfa ◽  
Mikko Tuori ◽  
Liisa Syrjälä-Qvist
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Wheat Bran ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Partial Replacement ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Concentrate Mixture

This paper presents animal performance and carcass quality in an experiment conducted to observe the effect of replacing some of the barley in a concentrate mixture with different fat sources and wheat bran. The treatments were: concentrate mixture with no added fat (control); in the test feeds, some of the barley was replaced with 5 % of a fat source plus 10 % wheat bran, 1 % wheat molasses and 1 % Ca-lignosulphonate. The fat sources were rapeseed oil (RSO), calcium salt palm fatty acids (CaSFA), or tallow (TS). These four concentrate mixtures were fed to growing bulls with hay (45:55) at a rate of 85 g dry matter kg-1 metabolic body weight (W0.75). Partial replacement of barley with different fat sources slightly decreased dry matter intake and thereby reduced the daily intake of estimated metabolizable energy in all fat containing diets. Average daily weight gain was 1.20; 1.05; 1.05 and 1.08 kg for the control as to RSO; CaSFA and TS, respectively. Carcass weight was similar for all fat sources but slightly higher for the control diet, while dressing percentage was slightly lower for the control diet. Feeding RSO, TS or CaSFA had no effect on feed conversion efficiency in comparison to the control. No apparent difference was observed between treatments on carcass quality and palatability scores of the meat. Oleic and stearic acids were increased for RSO and TS containing diets as compared to the control and CaSFA containing diets.

Effect of Feeding Milk Replacer on Dry Matter Intake and Feed Efficiency in Holstein x Kankrej Crossbred Calves

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Lunagariya ◽  
R. Shukla ◽  
S. V. Shah ◽  
P. R. Pandya ◽  
S. S. Pandya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Milk Replacer ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Whole Milk ◽  
Commercial Milk

An experiment was conducted on HF x Kankrej crossbred calves to study the effect of formulated milk replacer on nutrients intake, feed conversion efficiency, cost of feeding and disease incidence. Eighteen newly born calves of either sex were selected. The calves were fed colostrum up to 3 days and from 4th to 9th day whole milk at the rate of 12.5% of body weight. From 10th day the calves were randomly distributed in to three treatment group. The calves of T1 group received whole milk as per routine farm practice; T2 group was fed whole milk and commercial milk replacer as per manufacturer’s recommendation, whereas T3 group calves received formulated milk replacer @ 12.5 % of body weight with upper limit of 4 kg per day. The overall initial (day 10) and final (day 94) body weight of calves were 27.71±6.53 and 44.96±10.60 kg, respectively. Overall average dry matter intake (DMI) per day, as per cent body weight and per kg metabolic body weight (W0.75) was 0.52±0.02 kg, 1.45±0.03 kg and 35.34±0.78 g, respectively. The dry matter intake in T1 was significantly higher followed by T2 than T3. Overall intake of total digestible nutrients (TDN) on daily, per cent body weight and per kg W0.75 basis was 0.546±0.02 kg, 1.28±0.04 kg and 31.03±0.87 g, respectively. The DM intake for each kg gain was significantly lower in T3 (3.07 kg) and T1 (3.02) than T2 (4.79 kg) calves. The feed conversion efficiency (TDN intake kg/kg gain) was significantly superior in T3 (2.22) followed by T2 (4.23), whereas in T1 (2.95) it was intermediate. The feed cost and total rearing cost were lower (p less than 0.05) for farm formulated milk replacer (T3) than commercial milk replacer (T2) and was highest for milk feeding (T1) group. The feed cost and total rearing cost per unit gain in weight were also lower (p less than 0.05) for farm formulated milk replacer (T3) than other two groups. The disease incidences were intermediate in farm formulated milk replacer (T3). Thus, raising crossbred calves on farm formulated milk replacer can be a better option for economic gain of farmers, health of calves and (sparing) more milk for humans.

Whole-grain feeding for chicken-meat production: possible mechanisms driving enhanced energy utilisation and feed conversion

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Yun Liu ◽  
Ha H. Truong ◽  
Peter H. Selle
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Chicken Meat ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feed Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Causative Factors ◽  
Feed Costs

The practice of offering some whole grain to broiler chickens alongside a balancing concentrate is meeting increasing acceptance in certain regions, including Europe, Canada and Australia. Whole-grain feeding (WGF) regimes provide economic advantages by effectively reducing feed costs but, to varying extents, WGF regimes also generate improvements in energy utilisation and feed conversion efficiency. However, the context in which these improvements are best realised has yet to be defined adequately. The outstanding response to WGF is the development of heavier relative gizzard weights; however, the causative factors and biophysical and biochemical consequences of heavier, and presumably more functional, gizzards have not been properly investigated. It follows that heavier gizzards would enhance the initiation of protein digestion by pepsin and hydrochloric acid and facilitate amylase-induced starch digestion in the small intestine by the prior physical disruption of starch granules. However, it appears that improvements realised by WGF in energy utilisation and feed efficiency cannot be attributed entirely to heavier gizzards. One alternative or additional possibility is that WGF may influence starch digestive dynamics and provide more gradually or slowly digestible starch, which would benefit energy utilisation and feed efficiency. However, if this is the case, the genesis of this provision is not clear, although it may be associated with larger grain particle sizes and/or increased episodes of reverse peristalsis, but not retarded gut passage rates. The present paper reviews the essentially positive impacts of WGF on energy utilisation and feed conversion efficiency and considers the contexts in which these responses may be best realised and the possible mechanisms driving better performance under WGF regimes for chicken-meat production.

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