scholarly journals Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle

1966 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Nutrient Requirements

The effect of stage of grass maturity at harvesting and restricting fermentation on the intake of grass silage by beef cattle

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
L.E.R. Dawson ◽  
R.W.J. Steen ◽  
C.P. Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Nutrient Intakes ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Optimum Approach ◽  
Potential Methods ◽  
Intensive Breeding

In recent years there has been an improvement in the genetic potential of dairy cattle through intensive breeding programs and of beef cattle through a shift from native beef breeds to Continental breeds. These potential improvements can only be realised if increased intakes can be achieved. If conserved forages are to meet these higher nutrient requirements then the intake of conserved forages should be maximised. Two potential methods by which silage intake can be increased are by increasing silage digestibility through more frequent harvesting of grass (Gordon, 1989) or by restricting fermentation of the resulting silage (Doherty and Mayne, 1996). The objective of the current study was to examine the relative effects of digestibility and restricting fermentation on the intake of silage with the aim of establishing the optimum approach to achieving higher nutrient intakes from ensiled forages.

The effect of stage of grass maturity at harvesting and restricting fermentation on the intake of grass silage by beef cattle

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 43-43
Author(s):  
L.E.R. Dawson ◽  
R.W.J. Steen ◽  
C.P. Ferris
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Nutrient Intakes ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Genetic Potential ◽  
Optimum Approach ◽  
Potential Methods ◽  
Intensive Breeding

In recent years there has been an improvement in the genetic potential of dairy cattle through intensive breeding programs and of beef cattle through a shift from native beef breeds to Continental breeds. These potential improvements can only be realised if increased intakes can be achieved. If conserved forages are to meet these higher nutrient requirements then the intake of conserved forages should be maximised. Two potential methods by which silage intake can be increased are by increasing silage digestibility through more frequent harvesting of grass (Gordon, 1989) or by restricting fermentation of the resulting silage (Doherty and Mayne, 1996). The objective of the current study was to examine the relative effects of digestibility and restricting fermentation on the intake of silage with the aim of establishing the optimum approach to achieving higher nutrient intakes from ensiled forages.

Review: Grazing preferences in sheep and cattle: Implications for production, the environment and animal welfare

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Rutter
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Diet Selection ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Diurnal Pattern ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Choice Behaviour ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Partial Preference ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

The evolutionary and domestic ancestors of sheep and cattle will have evolved diet selection behaviours that enabled them to select a diet that met their individual nutrient requirements whilst minimising the risk of being killed through predation or by eating toxins. Modern intensive farming generally involves grazing monocultures or feeding total mixed rations and these restrict the ability of livestock to select their own diet. Research has shown that grazing sheep and cattle have a partial preference of approximately 70% for clover (when offered as a monoculture sward alongside grass), and they show a consistent diurnal pattern of preference. Dairy cattle and sheep that are given the ability to select their own diet show higher levels of production than animals grazing mixed swards. There is some evidence that animals that can select their own diet are optimising their own efficiency of nutrient capture, and this potential environmental benefit warrants further research. Further research is also needed to establish if dairy cattle “need” to graze or whether they prefer to eat prepared rations indoors. Preventing animals from expressing their innate diet preferences by feeding them mixed rations may cause frustration and so compromise animal welfare, although this hypothesis requires further research.Key words: Grazing, ruminant, preference, choice, behaviour, welfare

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