Evaluation of two supplements for the prevention of alfalfa bloat.

Poloxalene and a mineral mixture feed supplement patented for the treatment of emphysema, polyarthritis, and other pectin related diseases were tested in two trials for their ability to prevent bloat in cattle fed fresh alfalfa. Each trial had a crossover design using three Jersey steers with rumen fistulas per group. Each trial period continued until the total number of cases of bloat reached > or = 24. Treatments were given at 0800 each day. The mineral mixture was given at 100 g/d and 190 mg/kg body weight per day in the first and second trials, respectively. Poloxalene, which was tested only in the second trial, was given at 23 mg/kg body weight per day. Each group of steers was then fed 200 kg of freshly harvested alfalfa in the vegetative to early bloom stages of growth at 0830. In the first trial, only 69% as many cases of bloat occurred on the mineral mixture as on the control treatment, but no significant difference was detected in the second trial. The potency of the alfalfa may have been higher in the second trial, when forage dry matter was lower, magnesium and soluble nitrogen were higher, and bloat occasionally occurred twice a day. Bloat did not occur when the steers were treated with poloxalene. In these trials, poloxalene was completely effective in preventing bloat, but the mineral mixture was only partially so.     

Effect of rumen-protected nutrients on feed intake,body weights,milk yield,and composition in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation

The effect of rumen-protected nutrients (bypass fat, BPF; bypass protein, BPP; or their combination, BPPF) was investigated in Murrah buffaloes during the early stage of lactation. Forty Murrah buffaloes (BW 531.92?±?10.85 kg) just after parturition were randomly distributed into four groups according to parity and milk production. Buffaloes individually fed ration from day 0 to 90 postpartum according to feeding group and nutrient requirement. Control and BPF fed groups received a concentrate mixture, CM1 with 25% rumen-protected protein (using barley, wheat bran, and mustard oil cake), BPP and BPPF groups received a second concentrate mixture, CM2 with 40% rumen-protected protein (using barley, de-oiled rice bran, and cottonseed cake). Bypass fat fed groups (BPF and BPPF) additionally were supplemented with 15 g BPF (Ca salt of long-chain fatty acids) per kg milk yield in their respective concentrate mixtures. Dry matter intake, body weights, body condition score, and total milk yield were similar between groups (P?>?0.05). Fat-corrected milk (FCM) production was improved (14.5%, P?>?0.05) in groups fed BPP and BPPF, while significant (19.45%, P?<?0.05) improvement was observed in BPF-fed group. Overall mean values of milk fat, solid not fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were found to be high (P?<?0.05) in treatment groups as compared with control values. It may be concluded that supplementation with BPP or BPF either alone or in combination positively influences the quality of milk produced in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation and BPF additionally had improvement on the quantitative trait of milk as well.

     

大豆磷脂对奶牛产奶量及乳成分的影响

本实验选用14头年龄、胎次、产奶量、乳成分基本一致的奶牛,分为对照组和试验组。试验组奶牛日粮用未经包被处理的大豆磷脂替代玉米(占日粮精饲料2%),探索其对奶牛产奶量及乳脂率和乳蛋白的影响。结果发现:试验组比对照组产奶量提高0.9千克/天·头(p>0.05),乳蛋白上升,乳脂率下降,但差异均不显著(p>0.05)。     

Monensin controlled-release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows

Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume-based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled-release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short-term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield. Following the pilot study, 6 large-scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P less than 0.05) in monensin CRC-treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Performance of dairy cows fed an entirely organic diet containing cold-pressed rapeseed cake

Abstract

Organic dairy production will be based entirely on organically grown feeds as of 2008, and thereby a demand is created to find suitable feeds that are possible to grow locally. The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether milk yield and milk composition were maintained when cows were fed a 100% organic diet, with around 15% of dietary DM from cold-pressed organic rapeseed cake, compared to a 95% organic diet, in which a conventional protein source was used. Two experimental groups included 20 cows each and the study was carried out during two indoor periods. For cows fed the rapeseed cake diet, milk yield increased by 3.0 kg/day, but contents of milk fat and milk protein of multiparous cows decreased, resulting in similar yields of energy-corrected milk in early lactation. Milk from cows fed rapeseed cake had increased content of unsaturated fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid. In conclusion, it is possible to maintain milk production of dairy cows fed 100% organic feedstuffs using cold-pressed rapeseed cake as the main protein source compared to a 95% organic ration.     

Effects of maize grain and lucerne particle size on ruminal fermentation, digestibility and performance of cows in midlactation

This study evaluated the effects of, and interactions between, maize grain particle size (MPS) and lucerne particle size (LPS) on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, ruminal fermentation, microbial yield, chewing activity and nutrient digestibility in midlactation cows. Four multiparous Holstein cows with ruminal cannulas were assigned randomly to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, averaged 595 kg (SD = 52) of body weight and 121 days in milk (SD = 21) at the start of the experiment. Experimental periods were 21 days in length (14 days of treatment adaptation and 7 days of data collection). All diets were fed as total mixed ration and were formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of a 600 kg multiparous cow producing 20 kg milk/day with 4.0% fat. The ratio of concentrate to forage was 39:61 (dry matter basis). Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; two levels of LPS (2.54 and 6.22 mm) were combined with concentrates based on either ground maize grain (711 mum) or cracked maize grain (1755 mum). Maize grain and LPS did not affect milk production and milk fat percentage. Milk protein percentage increased when MPS was decreased (p = 0.04). Milk urea nitrogen was lower for cows fed ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain (118-134 mg/l, p = 0.05). Estimated microbial N supply increased 41.9 g/day for ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain. Cows fed long lucerne (LL) hay spent more time ruminating compared with cows fed short lucerne (SL) hay ranging from 293 to 336 min/day (p < 0.001). Total time spent chewing by cows increased from 505 to 574 min/day (p = 0.002) for SL and LL respectively. Based on the results from this study, midlactation cows can be fed diets that contain ground maize grain and SL hay without leading to negative effects on ruminal pH and nutrient digestibility.     

Effect of replacing corn with brown rice grain in a total mixed ration silage on milk production,ruminal fermentation and nitrogen balance in lactating dairy cows

Nine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of substituting corn grain with brown rice (BR) grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage on milk yield, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen (N) balance. The TMR silages were made from the ensiling of TMR containing (dry matter basis) 50.1% forage in rice silage and corn silage combination, and 49.9% concentrate. The grain portion of the diets contained 31.2% steam‐flaked corn, 31.2% steam‐flaked BR or an equal mixture of corn and BR. Dietary treatments did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat, protein and lactose yields. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. The urinary N excretion decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in response to increased levels of BR, with no dietary effect on N intake, N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. Our results indicate that steam‐flaked BR is a suitable replacement for steam‐flaked corn in dairy cow diets, and that it can be included in rations to a level of at least 31.2% of dry matter without adverse effects on milk production, when cows were fed rice silage and corn silage‐based diets.     

全混合日粮饲喂产奶牛经济效益试验

研究全混合日粮与非全混合日粮饲喂产奶牛,选择200头荷斯坦奶牛随机分为试验组和对照组,试验组饲喂全混合日粮,对照组饲喂相同配方和数量的草料,经30 d饲喂对比试验,结果表明：试验组日平均产奶量为23.52 kg,对照组日平均产奶量为21.78 kg,试验组比对照组日平均产奶量增加1.74 kg,日平均产奶量提高7.99%,差异极显著（P〈0.01）。饲喂全混合日粮组比饲喂非全混合日粮组奶牛增收17 760元,经济效益明显。     

Effect of timing and type of supplementary grain on herbage intake,nitrogen utilization and milk production in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture from evening to morning

The present study aimed to clarify the effect of timing and type of supplementary grain in grazing dairy cows on herbage dry matter intake (HDMI), nitrogen utilization and milk production. Eight lactating cows were allowed to graze from evening to morning during three seasonal periods (spring, summer, autumn). They were randomly allocated to four treatments (timing: pre‐ (Pre) or post‐grazing (Post), for large grain allotments consisting of 75% of daily grain offered; grain type: barley or corn) in 4 × 4 Latin square designs in each period. In the spring period, HDMI was greater for cows fed corn than those fed barley (P = 0.005), whereas cows in the Pre treatment had a similar HDMI, higher (P = 0.049) urinary purine derivative concentration and greater (P = 0.004) milk yield compared with cows in the Post treatment. In the summer and autumn periods, timing treatments did not affect HDMI, nitrogen utilization or milk production, but cows supplemented with barley had higher urinary purine derivatives concentration (P < 0.05) and milk yield (P < 0.05) compared with those supplemented with corn. The results indicate that large grain allotments immediately before evening grazing during early grazing seasons increased ruminal microbial protein synthesis and milk production without reducing HDMI regardless of grain type.     

The potential of replacing conventional dairy supplements with forage legume-based diets in Zimbabwe’s smallholder dairy sector

The effect of replacing commercial supplements with isoenergetic and isonitrogenous velvet bean-, cowpeaand lablab-based supplements on milk yield, milk quality and economic returns in smallholder crossbred dairy cows was investigated in the 2013 and 2014 dry seasons. Using 3 × 3 Latin square designs, nine multiparous Red Dane, Guernsey and Holstein-Friesian crosses in mid-lactation (130 ± 19 d) were offered forage legume-based supplements for 63 d at 0.5 kg per litre of milk produced. Milk quantity and quality were significantly (P < 0.05) different among supplements in both seasons. Cows fed commercial supplements had higher milk yield than cows fed forage legume supplements. Milk fat content was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in cows fed lablab-based supplements than cows fed other supplements. Milk protein, total solids and lactose content of cows fed commercial supplements was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those fed forage legume-based supplements, although protein content was similar to cows fed lablab-based supplements. Dietary gross margins were higher for cows fed velvet beanand lablab-based supplements by 17% and 16.5%, respectively. Based on supplement, production costs per litre of milk was higher by 28% and 23% using commercial supplements compared to velvet bean and lablab supplements, respectively.     

高产奶牛高效全混合饲料配方筛选试验

中国荷斯坦奶牛60头饲喂4种不同紫花苜蓿干草配比、不同精粗比的日粮,以研究日粮配方对奶牛产奶量、乳脂率、经济收益的影响.试验结果说明,大比例紫花苜蓿干草日粮（紫花苜蓿为24%DM）乳脂率显著（P＜0.05）或极显著提高（P＜0.01）;日粮营养水平提高,产奶量提高（P＜0.05 P＜0.01）;最佳经济效益日粮为含大比例紫花苜蓿,营养水平较低的日粮（P＜0.01）;在大的精粗比例下,紫花苜蓿干草不是日粮成本的限制因素,而青贮饲料配比为日粮成本的限制因素.合理安排精粗比例,适当使用紫花苜蓿干草,可提高奶牛饲养经济效益.     

优质高产奶牛高效全混合饲料配方筛选试验

中国荷斯坦奶牛60头饲喂4种不同紫花苜蓿干草配比、不同精粗比的日粮，以研究日粮配方对奶牛产奶量、乳脂率、经济收益的影响。试验结果说明，大比例紫花苜蓿干草日粮（紫花苜蓿占24％DM）乳脂率显著（P〈0．05）或极显著提高（P〈0．01）；日粮营养水平提高，产奶量提高（P〈0．05；P〈0．01）；最佳经济效益日粮为含大比例紫花苜蓿，营养水平较低的日粮（P〈0．01）；在大的精粗比例下，紫花苜蓿干草不是日粮成本的限制因素，而青贮饲料配比为日粮成本的限制因素。只有合理安排精粗比例，适当使用紫花苜蓿干草，可提高奶牛饲养经济效益。     

日粮对奶牛生产性能及经济效益的影响

60头中国荷斯坦奶牛饲喂4种不同紫花苜蓿干草配比、不同精粗比的日粮,以研究日粮配方对奶牛生产性能、经济收益的影响,确定最佳日粮配方。试验结果说明,大比例紫花苜蓿干草(紫花苜蓿=24%DM)、低精粗比(40:60)日粮极显著提高乳脂率(P<0.01);日粮营养水平提高,产奶量提高(P<0.05;P<0.01);最佳经济效益日粮为含大比例紫花苜蓿、精料比例低、营养水平较低的日粮(P<0.01);在低的精粗比例下,紫花苜蓿干草不是日粮成本的限制因素,而青贮饲料配比为日粮成本的限制因素。合理安排精粗比例,适当使用紫花苜蓿干草,可提高奶牛饲养经济效益。     

Altering the proportion of rye to maize in the grain fraction of practical broiler rations: Effect on live performance,litter moisture,dressing yield,and carcass quality 1

A study was made using a commercial strain of broiler chick (1 day to 9 weeks of age) and common starting and finishing rations, on the effects that various proportions of rye have on live performance and litter quality. All rations were maintained isocaloric by the appropriate addition of tallow.

It was ascertained that rye could comprise up to 25 per cent of the grain component without adverse effects when compared to those birds fed the control ration even though litter moisture was significantly increased. Increases in the percentage of rye to more than 25 per cent of the grain fraction resulted in progressively poorer live performance, dressed yield and carcass quality.     

Effect of body weight loss and feeding regimen on the performance of moulted breeder layers

1. The effects of body weight loss (0.20, 0.25 or 0–30) during the period of food withdrawal and the subsequent feeding of cracked grain for 3 weeks, pullet grower ration for 3 weeks or layer ration immediately after the period of food withdrawal and their interactions on the second cycle performance of breeder layers were investigated.

2. Hens losing 0.30 of their initial body weight (BWL) produced more hatching eggs and chicks than those which lost 0.20 BW.

3. Hens fed on cracked grain produced fewest non‐hatching eggs, most chicks and the most efficient food utilisation.

4. The interactions showed that hens which lost 0.20 BW and were fed on layers ration produced most eggs. When number of chicks hatching was the criterion then hens losing 0.25 to 0.30 BW which were fed on cracked grain for 3 weeks gave the best performance.     

繁奶康对奶牛泌乳早期泌乳性能及血液指标的影响

选择20头荷斯坦高产牛,采用配对分组设计分为对照组和试验组,每组各10头。对照组使用原日粮,试验组产前21d每天在日粮中添加繁奶康125g,于分娩当天添加量增至300g直到试验结束,以探讨日粮添加繁奶康对奶牛泌乳早期产奶性能(产奶量及乳品质)的影响。结果表明,补充繁奶康,产奶量、乳脂校正乳产量试验组明显高于对照组(P0.05);奶牛采食量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、乳糖率及乳干物质含量两组间差异不显著(P0.05)。血液指标谷草转氨酶、谷丙转氨酶活性两组间无显著差异(P0.05),高产奶牛补充繁奶康对泌乳早期产奶性能有较好的改善作用。     

Laminitis and decreased milk production in first-lactation cows improperly fed a dairy ration

First-lactation cows that were improperly fed a grain ration developed chronic, nonsuppurative laminitis, resulting in profound lameness in all 4 limbs, thin body condition, and poor milk production. Results of ration analysis indicated that the cows were receiving 10% to 40% more energy than that recommended by the National Research Council. The following management changes were instituted for first-lactation cows: the absolute amount of concentrate offered was decreased by 10% to 25% (depending on each cow's milk production), the rate of increase in concentrate fed was lessened to achieve maximal intake in 21 days, feed was made available more frequently and in smaller amounts during the day, sequence feeding was implemented, forage was provided before grain when possible, and sodium bicarbonate (1%, on a dry-weight basis) and fat (5%, on a dry-weight basis) were added to the grain mix. These management changes normalized rumen fermentation, and the clinical problems did not develop in the 20 subsequently fresh heifers. Therefore, the ration should be analyzed when first-lactation cows begin developing lameness and poor milk production.     

Use of Anionic Salts with Grazing Prepartum Dairy Cows

Twenty multiparous and four primigravid Holstein cows were utilized in a completely random design to characterize the influence of decreasing prepartum dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) from +388 to +183 meq/kg diet on DMI, prepartum blood profiles, and postpartum milk yield and composition of dairy cows grazed during the prepartum period. Treatments began on wk −4 prepartum, continued through calving, and consisted of 1) pasture and grain pellet without anionic salts (control; +388 meq/kg) or 2) pasture and grain pellet containing anionic salts (AS) (+183 meq/kg). Prepartum cows were rotationally grazed as a single group and individually fed pellets twice daily at a rate of 0.5% of BW/d. Blood and urine samples were collected on wk −4, −2.5, and −1 prepartum and analyzed for Ca, Mg, K, Na, and Cl concentrations. Urine samples were also analyzed for pH. Chromic oxide was dosed twice daily during the last 4 wk of gestation and again for 10 d during wk 4 and 12 postpartum for estimation of intake. Cows calved on pasture and were then integrated into the regular milking herd and fed a total mixed ration (TMR). Daily milk yield and weekly milk samples were collected through wk 14 of lactation. Prepartum and postpartum DMI, milk yield and composition, and plasma minerals were not affected by treatment. No clinical cases of milk fever were observed for either treatment group. Reducing prepartum DCAD from +388 to +183 meq/kg DM did not improve prepartum blood profiles or postpartum milk yield or composition; therefore, this type of supplementation was not economical.     

Oats (Avena strigosa) as winter forage for dairy cows in Vietnam: an on-farm study

In North Vietnam, during winter, alternative forage resources are needed to balance the feed ration of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oat forage as a component of traditional winter roughage diets on feed intake, milk production and feeding cost in dairy cows. The study was conducted on-farm using 24 mid-lactation Holstein–Friesian cows. The feeding experiment consisted of two successive periods and two dietary treatments per period. Traditional basal diets included fresh tropical grasses, maize silage and hay. The oat forage had no effect on the dry matter intake of the basal diet, but the total crude protein intake was higher in cows fed with oat diets than in those fed with control diets. The yield of butterfat-corrected milk (FCM) was not significantly different between diets during period 1, but there was a trend (P?=?0.078) of higher FCM yields in cows fed with the oat diet compared to those with control diet during period 2 (17.3 vs. 16.3 kg/day). The decline rate in milk yield was significantly higher (P?<?0.001) in cows fed with control diets than in those fed with oat diets in both experimental periods. The total feeding cost of cows fed with oat diets was on average 12 % lower than those fed with control diets (P?<?0.01). So, the oat forage is an important winter resource for cows in North Vietnam allowing higher milk yield whilst reducing feeding cost, compared to traditional roughage diets.     

全混合日粮对奶牛生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响

实验研究了不同精粗比全混合日粮对奶牛生产性能和养分表观消化率的影响。实验选用了30头奶牛,根据产奶量、泌乳天数和胎次相近的原则分为5组。试验结果表明,随着全混合日粮中精料比例的增加,奶牛产奶量、4%标准乳产奶量、乳蛋白率、乳糖量、乳固形物产量和乳非脂固形物产量可显著提高(P<0.05),日粮养分中除粗脂肪外,其余各养分的表观消化率均随着日粮精料比例的增加而增加(P<0.05)。