AN EVALUATION OF THREE STAGES OF MATURITY OF HAY FED WITH TWO CONCENTRATE LEVELS FOR LACTATING DAIRY COWS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. STEACY ◽  
DAVID A. CHRISTENSEN ◽  
M. I. COCHRAN ◽  
G. M. J. HORTON

Two experiments were conducted on a mixed brome-alfalfa hay grown on the University of Saskatchewan farm in 1977. The hay was cut at three stages of maturity: alfalfa at 10% bloom (cut 10 June); alfalfa at 50% bloom (cut 30 June); alfalfa at full bloom or early seed set (cut 22 July). Intake and apparent digestibility were determined for each of the three stages of maturity (exp. 1) using growing Hereford steers. Voluntary intakes per unit of metabolic body size (g DM/W0.75) were 127.9, 128.1 and 114.0 for the 10 June, 30 June and 22 July cuttings, respectively. Digestibility of dry matter was 70.7%, 67.0% and 58.0%; crude protein digestibility was 70.8%, 66.4% and 53.3% for the respective cuttings. Percent total digestible nutrients were 69.0%, 66.5% and 56.6%. A dairy production trial (exp. 2) was also conducted using the three stages of maturity of hay each fed with a low and a high concentrate level in an incompletely replicated 6 × 6 Latin square design experiment using six cows, six rations (three hays × two concentrate levels) and four feeding periods. Voluntary intakes of hay varied (P < 0.05) as a result of concentrate feeding level (15.0 kg DM/day on low concentrate level vs. 11.9 kg DM/day on the high concentrate level) although total dry matter intakes did not differ (21.7 kg DM/day on low concentrate vs. 21.6 kg DM/day on high concentrate). Total milk production was higher (P < 0.05) on the high concentrate feeding level (25.5 kg/day) than on the low concentrate feeding level (22.9 kg/day) although the low concentrate-early maturity hay combination did not reduce milk production significantly. Milk fat percent was lowest (P < 0.05) for the high concentrate-late maturity hay combination while all other hay-concentrate combinations resulted in similar milk fat percentages. No differences were observed in kilograms of feed dry matter consumed per 100 kg of 4% fat-corrected milk produced. Key words: Maturity, hay, concentrate, dairy cow

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 919
Author(s):  
Verónica M. Merino ◽  
Lorena Leichtle ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
Francisco Lanuza ◽  
Julián Parga ◽  
...  

The aim was to determine the effect of the herbage allowance (HA) and supplement type (ST) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, grazing behavior, rumen function, and blood metabolites of grazing dairy cows in the spring season. Experiment I: 64 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were distributed in a factorial design that tested two levels of daily HA (20 and 30 kg of dry matter (DM) per cow) and two ST (high moisture maize (HMM) and cracked wheat (CW)) distributed in two daily rations (3.5 kg DM/cow/day). Experiment II: four mid-lactation rumen cannulated cows, supplemented with either HMM or CW and managed with the two HAs, were distributed in a Latin square design of 4 × 4, for four 14-d periods to assess ruminal fermentation parameters. HA had no effect on milk production (averaging 23.6 kg/day) or milk fat and protein production (823 g/day and 800 g/day, respectively). Cows supplemented with CW had greater protein concentration (+1.2 g/kg). Herbage DMI averaged 14.17 kg DM/cow.day and total DMI averaged 17.67 kg DM/cow.day and did not differ between treatments. Grazing behavior activities (grazing, rumination, and idling times) and body condition score (BCS) were not affected by HA or ST. Milk and plasma urea concentration increased under the high HA (+0.68 mmol/L and +0.90 mmol/L, respectively). Cows supplemented with HMM had lower milk and plasma urea concentrations (0.72 mmol/L and 0.76 mmol/L less, respectively) and tended (p = 0.054) to have higher plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. Ruminal parameters did not differ between treatments.


1969 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
Teodoro M. Ruiz ◽  
Jaime Moyá ◽  
Luis Viera

Three stargrass silage (SGS)-based diets formulated to contain 20, 26 and 32% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were compared as to their effect on dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production. Twelve lactating Holstein cows averaging 110 days in milk were arranged in four replications of a 3 x 3 Latin Square design. Treatments did not affect DMI or DMI as percentage of body weight (BW); mean values for these parameters were 15.4 kg/cow/day and 3.06%, respectively. However, cows consuming 32% NDF diet had a tendency toward lower (8.6%) intake of organic matter (OM) as percentage of BW than cows on the 20% NDF diet. Intake of NDF as a percentage of BW increased (P < 0.01) linearly (0.62 to 0.93%) as dietary NDF concentration increased. Milk production averaged 21.0 kg/cow/day and was not affected by dietary treatment. Reducing dietary NDF from 32 to 20% resulted in a reduction (P < 0.01) in milk fat from 3.09 to 2.66%.This reduction resulted in a 1.3 kg/cow/day increase (P < 0.05) in 3.25% fat-corrected milk (3.25% FCM) as the percentage of dietary NDF increased. Gross efficiency of energy (NEL) use for milk production and 3.25% FCM increased linearly with dietary NDF by 9.7 and 17.3%, respectively. Results point out that for mid-lactation cows at the observed level of production, diets lower than 32% NDF will not result in higher DMI and milk production, and will be less efficient in the use of energy for milk production.


1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Grainger

Three separate experiments were carried out to determine the effects of stage of lactation and feeding level on marginal production response by dairy cows to change in feeding level. In each experiment cows were individually offered cut pasture in stalls, ad libitum initially for 10 days, and for a further 28-day period when feeding treatments were imposed. In experiment 1, a total of 37 cows in early or late lactation were offered the same high quality pasture diet either ad libitum or at 0.60 x ad libitum intake. In experiments 2 and 3, 35 and 31 cows which were in early (experiment 2) or late lactation (experiment 3) were offered pasture at 1 of 3 feeding levels: ad libitum, 0.75 x ad libitum. 0.50 x ad libitum intake. In experiment 1 the marginal response was similar, 23.5 and 25.0 g milk fat/kg change in dry matter intake, for cows offered the same diet in early or late lactation. In experiment 2, cows in early lactation showed marginal responses which ranged from 0 to 80 g milk fat/kg dry matter intake and were greater at lower feeding levels and for cows with greater initial milk production. In experiment 3, the marginal response for cows in late lactation was similar to that in experiment 1 (24.4 g milk fat/kg change in DM intake) and was not significantly affected by the level of feeding or by the initial milk production of the cow. Reduced levels of feeding in late lactation appeared to accelerate the changes in milk composition which occur normally in late lactation: increases in the concentration of milk fat and protein; a decrease in lactose concentration. It is concluded that in early lactation, much of the published variation in marginal response can be explained by differences between experiments in levels of feeding studied and in the initial milk yield of the cows. In late lactation there was much less variation in the reported magnitude of the marginal response, and the variation which did exist can be explained by experimental error.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. Okine ◽  
G. R. Khorasani ◽  
J. J. Kennelly

Four cannulated Holstein cows in late lactation were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to determine the effects of forage source with different NDF concentrations and level of concentrate on chewing activity and milk production. Diets were 65% first-cut alfalfa silage with 54% NDF and 35% concentrate, 50% alfalfa and 50% concentrate, 65% bromegrass silage with 65.5% NDF and 35% concentrate and 50% bromegrass silage and 50% concentrate. Diets were fed in 2 × 2 factorial design (silage sources, alfalfa vs. bromegrass and two levels of concentrate, 35 vs. 50%). Dry matter intake averaged 15.2 kg d−1 and was not affected by either forage source or level of concentrate. Intake of NDF was lower for the cows fed the alfalfa-based diet vs. bromegrass silage but the level of concentrate did not affect NDF intake. Time spent eating was not affected by either forage source or concentrate level of the diet. Time spent eating and ruminating kg−1 NDF intake was higher for cows fed alfalfa-based diets than for cows fed the bromegrass-based diets. Total chews g−1 NDF intake tended (P = 0.06) to decrease when cows were fed bromegrass-based diets but eating and ruminating chews g−1 NDF intake were not affected by source of forage or level of concentrate in the diet. Diets with either alfalfa or bromegrass had no effect on daily yields of milk, FCM, fat, protein and lactose. Diets with 50% concentrate increased milk and FCM yields by 11 and 14%, respectively. Fat and lactose yields were also increased by 17 and 11% in cows fed diets with the higher concentrate level. Results suggest that chewing activities during eating and ruminating phases of the eating cycle adjusted for DMI may decrease with increased concentrate level and are not affected by source of forage in the diet. However, chewing activities adjusted for NDF intake are influenced by source of forage but not by level of concentrate in the diet. The results also suggest that yields of both milk and milk components in late lactation cows are influenced by level of concentrate in the diet, while only milk components are affected by source of forage. Key words: Dairy cattle, chewing activity, forage, milk production


2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélène V Petit ◽  
Cristiano Côrtes ◽  
Daniele da Silva ◽  
Ricardo Kazama ◽  
Nathalie Gagnon ◽  
...  

Four ruminally fistulated multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments to study the effects of dietary supplementation of monensin and flaxseed hulls on ruminal and milk concentration of the mammalian lignan enterolactone (EL) and ruminal and faecal activity of β-glucuronidase. The hypothesis was that monensin supplementation has no effect on the incorporation of EL into milk when cows are fed flaxseed hulls. Treatments were: 1) control, neither flaxseed hulls nor monensin (CO); 2) diet containing (dry matter basis) 20% flaxseed hulls (FH); 3) diet with monensin (16 mg/kg of dry matter; MO); 4) diet containing 20% (dry matter basis) flaxseed hulls and 16 mg/kg monensin (HM). Intake of dry matter was higher for CO and MO than for FH and HM and monensin had no effect. Milk production decreased in cows fed flaxseed hulls while monensin had no effect. Production of 4% fat-corrected milk and concentrations of milk fat, lactose, urea N, and total solids were similar among treatments. Although there was a decrease in ruminal activity of β-glucuronidase when feeding flaxseed hulls, the metabolism of plant into mammalian lignans may be increased as shown by enhanced concentration of EL in the rumen and milk. Supplementation with flaxseed hulls then may contribute to favourably change milk composition for better human health by enhancing mammalian lignan EL concentration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 936-946
Author(s):  
J.P.P. Oliveira ◽  
A.F. Bicalho ◽  
V.M.R. Malacco ◽  
C.F.A. Lage ◽  
H.M. Saturnino ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The objective for this study was to evaluate the supplementation with different non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) sources for grazing dairy cows in diets with high or low concentrations of rumen undegradable protein (RUP). Twelve multiparous cows averaging 30kg/d of milk production and 45±23 days in milk in a 4x4 Latin square design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement were used. The difference in NFC content of the diets was achieved using ground corn (GC) or dried citrus pulp (DCP). Dietary RUP was altered by the partial replacement of soybean meal (LRUP) by roasted whole soybean and corn gluten meal (HRUP). Greater dry matter intake (DMI) was observed in DCP treatments compared to GC treatments (19.2 and 17.7kg/day of DM, respectively). Milk fat concentration was lower for LRUP treatments (3.4%) when compared to HRUP (3.6%). The milk protein concentration was greater for GC treatments (2.9%) in relation to DCP treatments (2.8%). Lower milk ureic nitrogen was observed when DCP diets were fed compared to those with GC (17.8 and 21.2mg/dL, respectively). The use of DCP as CNF source increased dry matter intake as well as milk fat concentration, although no differences in milk production were observed for RUP level.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. e347985005
Author(s):  
Alexandre Bernardi ◽  
Antonio Waldimir Leopoldino da Silva ◽  
Catia Capeletto ◽  
Felipe Junior Portela da Silva ◽  
Renata Cristina Defiltro ◽  
...  

This study compared the effects of unchopped and chopped hay on milk production and composition, feed digestibility, and physiology of Lacaune sheep. Eighteen ewes were stratified by parity (two or three), days of lactation (60 ± 3.7 days), and milk production (1.04 L/ewe/day), and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) Unchopped or 2) Chopped Tifton 85 hay. Corn silage and concentrate were also provided. Chopped hay ewes gave lower (P≤0.01) dry matter intake and greater (P=0.02) crude protein digestibility. No effects of treatment were detected (P≥0.38) for the digestibility of dry matter, or of neutral and acid detergent fibers. Chopped hay ewes had greater (P≤0.01) milk production (d 7 and d 12), lactation persistence, and feed efficiency. Ewes eating chopped hay had greater (P=0.03) protein concentration in their milk. However, there were no effects of treatment × day and treatments (P≥0.16) for concentrations of fat, lactose, minerals, deffated dry extract, or density. Ewes eating chopped hay presented lower (P<0.01) serum concentrations of urea and tended to have lower (P=0.10) serum concentrations of glucose only on d 12. However, there were no effects of treatment × day and treatments (P≥0.16) for serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, triglycerides, or cholesterol. These data suggest that chopped hay promotes lower dry matter intake and serum concentrations of glucose and urea, but improves milk production, lactation persistence, feed efficiency, and protein concentration.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Goce Cilev ◽  
Živko Gacovski ◽  
Biljana Petrovska ◽  
Jovan Stojković

This paper shows the results of production and chemical compo­sition of cow’s milk on a farm MILKO-HF, Prilep, R. Macedonia with capacity of 100 cows of Holstein-Frisian breed divided into two groups (control and experimental). In control group I which was fed in a standard way of nutrition (ration used on the farm), average daily production of milk per cow ws 22.49 kg with the following chemical composition of milk: average daily content of milk fat is 3.75%, protein 3.57%, lactose 4.65%, nonfat dry matter 9.56% and total dry matter 13.31%. In experimental group II which were fed with the ration according to normatives, average daily production of milk per cow is 24.04 kg with the following chemical composition of milk: average daily content of milk fat is 3.99%, protein 3.57%, lactose 4.65%, non-fat dry matter 9.58% and total dry matter 13.57%. The obtained results show the increase in milk production for 1.55 kg-6.89% and better chemical composition of milk in the experimental group of cows. Thus, dry matter was increased from 13.31% to 13.57%-1.95%, milk fat content from 3.75% to 3.99%-6.4%, nonfat dry matter from 9.56% to 9.58%-0.21%, while the content of protein and lactose stayed on equal level. It was determined that the normed nutrition has influenced on production increase and better chemical composition of milk without unnecessary spent high level of nutrient i.e. nutrition of cows according to recommended normative.


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 1037-1046
Author(s):  
M.F. Miguel ◽  
R. Delagarde ◽  
H.M.N. Ribeiro-Filho

ABSTRACT Corn silage supplementation for dairy cows grazing in temperate annual pastures has rarely been investigated. The aim of this study is to compare two supplementation levels (0 and 4kg dry matter [DM]/day of a 7:1 mixture of corn silage and soybean meal) in dairy cows strip-grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) at two pasture allowances (PA, low= 25 and high = 40kg DM/d at ground level). The study was carried out according to an incomplete 4 × 3 Latin square design, using 12 cows and three experimental periods of 12 days. The green leaves allowances were only 4.9 and 8.5kg DM/d at the low and high PA, respectively. The total DM intake and milk production increased in supplemented cows compared to un-supplemented cows at the low PA, but were similar between supplementation levels at the high PA. The PI was unaffected by the PA, whereas the substitution rate was 0.68 in cows at the low PA and 1.35 in cows at the high PA. Corn silage supplementation may improve the total DM intake and milk production of dairy cows grazing in temperate annual pastures, but only at a low PA.


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