Milk production performance of Friesian-Holstein cows fed diets containing Medicago sativa, Centrosema pubescens, or groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea)

To investigate the effect of feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay, centrosema hay, and groundnut haulms (crop residue) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk composition, nine multiparous Friesian-Holstein cows in their mid-lactation stage were used in a 3?×?3 crossover design replicated three times. Dairy cows fed lucerne hay had significantly (p?<?0.001) higher DMI than dairy cows fed centrosema hay. DMI for cows fed groundnut haulms and lucerne hay was not significantly different. Daily milk yield for dairy cows fed diet containing lucerne hay was significantly (p?<?0.01) higher than that for dairy cows fed diets containing groundnut haulms or centrosema hay. Milk composition and body condition scores of the cows were not significantly affected by either lucerne hay, groundnut haulms, or centrosema hay. Overall, the results in this study indicated that feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay increased milk yield.     

Complete diet feeding for cattleAlimentation des bovins avec des rations complètesFütterung mit Milchvieh-Komplettfutter

The complete diet system involves processing the ingredients of cattle diets into a well-mixed blend to which the cattle are given free access. Mixing the diet in this way has often been shown to increase daily intake and to increase the solids content of the milk of cows, although total milk production may not be increased.The necessity for varying forage:concentrate ratio with stage of production in cows is examined in relation to complete diets and for the feeding of separate ingredients. The evidence so far suggests that, where the basic forage is of good quality, there seems little justification for varying diet composition with the consequent necessity for grouping the cows.Specifications are outlined for computer formulation of complete diets showing the main aspects which require further clarification, notably roughage characteristics, protein degradability, amino acid composition of rumen undegradable protein and intake characteristics of mixed feeds.Advantages for complete diets appear to be simplicity of management and full mechanisation, coupled with economy of feeding space, safety and flexibility for inclusion of a wide range of ingredients. Disadvantages, as with most mechanisation, include high capital cost and risks of mechanical breakdown.Future developments envisaged include the use of low forage, straw-based diets for arid areas where the provision of conventional forage is costly.     

Dairy cows fed on tropical legume forages: effects on milk yield,nutrients use efficiency and profitability

Two trials with multiparous dairy cows were conducted. Experiment 1 tested the effects of increasing forage proportion in the diet (500, 600, and 700 g/kg DM) when a mixed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and jackbean (Cannavalia ensiformis) silage was used as forage. Experiment 2 studied the substitution of sorghum silage and soybean meal by jackbean silage or fresh cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) forage in the diet. All diets were iso-energetic and iso-proteic. In each experiment, 30 cows were used and separated into three groups. In experiment 1, there were no differences in dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), or apparent total tract digestibility (aTTd) among the three diets, but milk fat content increased with increasing forage proportion, even though the similar neutral detergent fiber of all diets. Nitrogen use efficiency was highest in the diet containing 600 g forage/kg DM, and some evidence was observed for a better profitability with this forage proportion. In experiment 2, feeding legumes increased DMI despite no effects on aTTd. Milk yield increased in line with DMI, with a larger increase for the fresh cowpea. Nitrogen use efficiency and milk composition were not affected by the diets. The increased MY and lower feed costs increased the economic benefits when feeding legumes, particularly when feeding fresh cowpea. Feeding fresh cowpea or jackbean silage to dairy cows appears to be an alternative to soybean as protein source, ideally at a forage proportions of 600 g/kg DM, without altering milk yield and quality and increasing the farm profitability.     

Effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate: IV. Feed intake, rumen fermentation and milk production in milking cows

Four early-lactation crossbred cows (82.5 % Holstein) were selected to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate on rumen fermentation and milk production. Cows were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement in a 4?×?4 Latin Square design. Factor A was carbohydrate source: cassava chip (CC) and CC + rice bran at a ratio 3:1 (CR3:1), and factor B was variation in the level of cottonseed meal (CM): low (LCM) and high (HCM) in isonitrogenous diets (180 g CP/kg DM). It was found that carbohydrate source did not affect feed intake, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial population, milk yield and composition, or economic return (P?>?0.05). However, cows fed with CC had a higher population of amylolytic bacteria than cows fed with CR3:1 (P?<?0.05). Cows fed with HCM had a higher total feed intake, milk yield and composition, and milk income when compared with cows fed on LCM although the concentrate and roughage intakes, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial populations were similar between treatments (P?>?0.05). In addition, the carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level interactions were not significant for any parameter. It could be concluded that cassava chip and high level of cottonseed meal could usefully be incorporated into concentrates for dairy cows without impacting on rumen fermentation or milk production.     

Roughage intake of simmental,brown Swiss and Holstein Friesian cows fed rations with 0, 25 and 50% concentrates

Two short-term feeding trials (3 weeks on each treatment) using a total of 54 lactating cows in a 3 × 3 Latin square design were carried out to determine the ad libitum roughage intake of Simmental (SI), Brown Swiss (BS) and Holstein Friesian (HF) cows, respectively. The cows were fed rations with 0. 25 and 50% of dry matter (DM) as concentrates, the rest as roughage. The roughage consisted of 31.5% hay, 38.1% grass silage and 30.4% maize silage.SI, BS and HF cows consumed 10.7, 11.0 and 12.2 kg DM day⁻¹ roughage, equivalent to 87, 93 and 105 g kg^−0.75 bodyweight. For concentrate groups 0, 25 and 50%, roughage intake decreased from 12.8 to 11.7 and 9.4 kg DM day⁻¹. The substitution rate derived from linear regression was 0.36 kg DM kg⁻¹ DM. The milk yield was increased from 14.1 to 16.7 and 19.7 kg by feeding concentrates, while milk protein concentration increased from 3.0 to 3.2 and 3.4% and milk fat concentration decreased from 4.3 to 4.2 and 4.1%.The regressions of forage intake (kg DM) on milk yield (kg energy-standardized milk (ESM)) showed big differences between breeds, but also between concentrate levels. The regression slopes were 0.04, 0.23 and 0.28 for SI, BS and HF cows.     

不同形式的植物油对奶牛生产性能和瘤胃微生物区系的影响

试验研究了日粮中分别补充0(对照组)、2%亚麻籽油(亚麻籽油组)、2%大豆油(大豆油组)和等同2%植物油的10%膨化大豆(膨化大豆组)对奶牛生产性能和瘤胃微生物区系的影响。结果表明:饲喂亚麻油、大豆油和膨化大豆组奶牛的奶产量显著(P<0.05)高于对照组,而乳脂含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),校正乳(FCM)产量各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。饲喂亚麻油、大豆油或膨化大豆对奶牛瘤胃微生物图谱条带数量和区系的相似性指数无显著影响(P>0.05)。各处理组的白色瘤胃球菌、溶纤维丁酸弧菌和产琥珀酸丝状杆菌比例无显著性差异(P>0.05)。研究结果显示,日粮补充适宜水平的不同形式植物油可改善奶牛生产性能,但对瘤胃微生物区系无显著影响。     

阴外动脉灌注乳脂前体物对奶牛产奶量及乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响

本试验研究了阴外动脉灌注乳脂前体物对奶牛产奶量及乳腺内短链脂肪酸摄取规律的影响。选择8头健康荷斯坦奶牛分为2组,每组4头牛。采用2×2交叉试验设计,2组分别饲喂2种不同粗饲料[苜蓿(MF组)、玉米秸秆(CS组)]的饲粮,饲粮的精粗比为45∶55。试验分为2阶段,每阶段20 d,其中预试期14 d,载体灌注期3 d,乳脂前体物灌注期3 d。在载体灌注期,MF组与CS组均接受载体灌注,分别命名为MFC_1组和CSC组;在乳脂前体物灌注期,MF组继续接受载体灌注(MFC_2组),CS组灌注乳脂前体物(CSF组)。测定产奶量、干物质采食量及乳成分。采集尾动脉和乳静脉血浆测定短链脂肪酸浓度和脂肪酸比例。结果表明:1)在灌注乳脂前体物前,CSC组产奶量、4%乳脂校正乳产量、乳脂产量、乳蛋白产量和产乳脂效率显著低于MFC_1组(P0.05),CSC组尾动脉血浆中短链脂肪酸浓度及短链脂肪酸/长链脂肪酸有低于MFC_1组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。2)灌注乳脂前体物后,CSF组产乳脂效率和乳蛋白率显著高于CSC组(P0.05),CSF组产奶量、4%乳脂校正乳产量、乳脂率和乳蛋白率尽管在数值上仍然低于MFC_2组,但组间差异不显著(P0.05),而CSF组产乳脂效率显著高于MFC_2组(P0.05)。3)灌注乳脂前体物后,CSF组尾动脉血浆中乙酸、丙酸以及短链脂肪酸浓度显著高于CSC组(P0.05),且乙酸、丁酸及短链脂肪酸浓度显著高于MFC_2组(P0.05),短链脂肪酸/长链脂肪酸有低于MFC_2组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)。4)除CSF组丁酸动静脉差有高于CSC组的趋势(0.05≤P0.10)外,CSC组与MFC_1组、CSC组与CSF组、CSF组与MFC_2组乳腺对乙酸、丙酸、丁酸、短链脂肪酸的摄取量、摄取率和动静脉差均无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示,以玉米秸秆为粗饲料奶牛灌注乳脂前体物可显著增加奶牛的产奶量、乳脂率和乳脂产量,并达到与以苜蓿等为粗饲料相似的水平,且具有较高的产乳脂效率,但对乳腺内短链脂肪酸的摄取量和摄取率无显著的影响。     

Effects of feeding alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw-based diets on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation, and production responses by mid-lactation dairy cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding different levels of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw (AHP-WS) in the diet on feed intake, nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, and production responses in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows, averaging 147 d postpartum, were used in two replications of a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Complete mixed diets consisted of 70% forage and 30% concentrate (DM basis) with various levels of AHP-WS, alfalfa haylage, and corn silage as forage sources. Treatments contained 0 (control), 20.0, 40.1, or 60.0% AHP-WS in the diet. A quadratic effect (P = .08) of AHP-WS level on DMI was noted, with values of 2.16, 22.3, 20.8, and 18.9 kg/d for the control, 20.0, 40.1, and 60.0% AHP-WS treatments, respectively. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, and ADF were not affected (P greater than .10) by replacing haylage and corn silage with increasing amounts of AHP-WS in the diet, but there was a linear increase (P = .03) in NDF digestibility (44% for control vs 59% for the 60.0% AHP-WS diet) and a parallel decrease (P less than .05) in cell content digestibility (82 vs 70% for these two diets). Yields of milk and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) were decreased (quadratic; P = .0001) as the level of AHP-WS increased in the diet. The addition of AHP-WS to the diet decreased the milk fat percentage from 3.72 to 3.60% (quadratic; P = .05) and decreased milk protein percentage from 3.27 to 3.13% (linear; P = .0001). Cows fed the higher levels of AHP-WS had linear increases (P = .0001) in ruminal concentrations of total VFA (128.0 mM for control vs 136.0 mM for the 60.0% AHP-WS treatment) and molar proportion of acetate, resulting in a quadratic effect (P less than .0001) on the acetate:propionate ratio. These data indicate that feeding the 40.1 and 60.0% AHP-WS diets lowered digestible DM and OM intakes, which resulted in reduced 4% FCM yield as nutrient intakes were decreased compared with cows fed the 20.0% AHP-WS diet or the control diet containing alfalfa haylage and corn silage. Although substituting AHP-WS for haylage and corn silage increased NDF digestibility and tended to increase digestible NDF intake, milk production was depressed because digestible DMI decreased.     

Strategic supplementation of cassava top silage to enhance rumen fermentation and milk production in lactating dairy cows in the tropics

High-quality protein roughage is an important feed for productive ruminants. This study examined the effects of strategic feeding of lactating cows with cassava (Manihot esculenta) top silage (CTS) on rumen fermentation, feed intake, milk yield, and quality. Four early lactating crossbred dairy cows (75% Holstein-Friesian and 25% Thai) with body weight (BW) 410?±?30 kg and milk yield 12?±?2 kg/day were randomly allotted in a 4?×?4 Latin square design to four different supplementation levels of CTS namely, 0, 0.75, 1.50, and 2.25 kg/day of dry matter (DM). Strategic supplementation of CTS significantly affected ruminal fermentation end-products, especially increased propionate production, decreased protozoal population and suppressed methane production (P?<?0.05). Increasing the CTS supplementation level substantially enhanced milk yield and the 3.5% FCM from 12.7 to 14.0 kg/day and from 14.6 to 17.2 kg/day (P?<?0.05) for non-supplemented group and for the 2.25 kg/day supplemented group, respectively. We conclude that high-quality protein roughage significantly enhances rumen fermentation end-products, milk yield, and quality in dairy cows.     

Milk Production in High Producing Dairy Cows as Influenced by Corn Silage Quality

Greater milk production is the promised outcome for selecting corn hybrids with various traits that impact forage quality. Our objective was to select a set of hybrids most likely to exhibit differences in forage quality and evaluate milk production of cows fed a high forage diet. Four hybrids were selected for the feeding trial: a leafy hybrid (Mycogen TMF 100®; Mycogen Seeds, Indianapolis, IN), a brown midrib (BMR) hybrid (Mycogen BMR F407®), and two conventional hybrids varying in fiber digestibility (Pioneer 36B08® [Conventional 1 {CONV1}] and Pioneer 35P12® [Conventional 2 {CONV2}]; Pioneer Hybrid International, Inc., Des Moines, IA). Diets were formulated to provide 1.0% BW as forage NDF (approximately 32% NDF) and were balanced to meet or exceed NRC requirements. Fifty-six cows were fed for 56 d. The DMI of cows fed the BMR and the leafy hybrid total mixed rations (TMR) were greater than those of cows fed the other hybrids. Differences in milk production reflected the differences in intake. Cows fed the BMR (41.7 kg/d) and leafy hybrid (42.1 kg/d) TMR were not different from each other in milk production, but had greater (P<0.05) milk production than cows fed CONV1 (39.0 kg/d) or CONV2 (39.2 kg/d) hybrids. Greater intake by cows fed the BMR TMR than by cows fed the CONV1 or CONV2 TMR is likely the result of greater digestibility. Although the leafy hybrid TMR tended to be greater in digestibility than CONV1 or CONV2 TMR, it is likely that a lesser forage-to-concentrate ratio of the leafy hybrid TMR compared with the other TMR also contributed to its greater intake. Ruminal concentrations of propionate were greater in cows fed BMR than in those fed other hybrids, which could also result in greater milk production. Corn silage hybrids selected for improved forage quality can result in greater milk production by cows fed the improved hybrids in high forage diets.     

Comparative evaluation of raw and roasted soybean in lactating crossbred cows

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of roasting whole soybean in the local level on their chemical composition, nitrogen fractions, in situ degradability, and feeding performance in crossbred (Karan Swiss and Karan Fries) dairy cows. Twelve lactating crossbred cattle (369.08 ± 17.53 kg body weight) were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of milk yield (10.18 kg/day) and day of calving (89 days) in a randomized block design. Cows were fed green maize fodder and concentrate mixtures with 1 kg raw soybean as fed basis (7.6% of total diet) in the control group, where as roasted soybean replaced raw soybean in the treatment group to make both diets isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The roughage to concentrate ratio was around 55:45 in both diets. The cows were housed in individual byres and fed experimental diet for 90 days. The total dry matter intake per animal in both groups was similar. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, and neutral detergent fiber was comparable in both groups. The average milk production and fat-corrected milk yield per day was similar during the trial. Milk fat, milk protein, and solids not fat content remained unaffected and similar in both groups. All the animals maintained their body weight in both groups. Thus, rumen bypassing of protein fractions at the present method of bypassing did not have the desired level of beneficial effect in medium producing crossbred cows.     

Heat production, eating behavior and milk yield of lactating cows fed two rations differing in roughage content and digestibility under heat load conditions

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of feeding two total mixed rations (TMRs), differing in their roughage content and in vitro dry matter digestibility, on the respiratory rate, body temperature, eating behavior and energy balance of lactating cows. The partitioning of metabolizable energy intake (MEI) between heat production (HP) and retained energy (RE) of cows held under heat load conditions was measured. Forty-two lactating cows were divided into two similar sub-groups, each of 21 animals, and were fed either a control (CON) ration containing 18% roughage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or an experimental (EXP) TMR that contained 12% roughage NDF and used soy hulls as partial wheat silage replacer. The in vitro DM digestibility of the CON and EXP TMRs was 75.3 and 78.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). The EXP diet reduced rectal temperature and respiratory rate of the cows while increasing their number of meals per day by 32.7% as compared with the CON fed cows, and these meals were shorter in duration and were eaten faster. The EXP diet increased total DM intake from 19.6 to 21.5 kg/cow/d, milk yield from 32.3 to 34.6 kg, and yield of energy corrected milk from 30.9 to 32.2 kg, as compared with the CON group. Cows fed the EXP TMR had increased RE in milk and body tissue, as compared with the CON group, but the diets had no effect on the measured HP that was maintained similar (121 vs. 127 MJ/cow/d) in the two groups. The measured MEI (MEI = RE + HP) and the efficiency of MEI utilization for RE production, were similar in the two dietary groups.     

Integration of forage legumes with cereal crops. I. Effects of supplementation with graded levels of lablab hay on voluntary food intake,digestibility, milk yield and milk composition of crossbred cows fed maize–lablab stover or oats–vetch hay ad libitum

This study examined the effect of lablab hay supplementation of crossbred cows fed forages from cereal+forage legume intercropping (maize–lablab (ML) stover or oats–vetch (OV) hay) basal diets on feed intake, apparent digestibility, milk yield and milk composition of crossbred cows. Forty eight multiparous (parity 2–4) cows approximately 60 days prepartum and mean live weight 445 S.D.±57 kg at the beginning of the experiment were used in the study. The experiment lasted 200 days each cow, covering 60 days prepartum and 140 days postpartum. Lablab hay supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased total DM intake and DM digestibility as compared with the unsupplemented diets but there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in total DM intake among the supplemented cows. Cows fed ML stover or OV hay supplemented with lablab hay had improved rumen environment as reflected in the rates of DM, OM, N and NDF degradation greater than 0.03 (i.e. 3%) per h. The degradation parameters; a, b, c and the effective degradability (ED) were higher (P<0.001) for lablab hay supplemented diets than for ML stover or OV hay basal forages fed alone. ML stover fed alone resulted into significantly (P<0.001) higher Ca, P, and Mg intake than OV hay fed alone while K intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher with OV hay. Increasing levels of lablab hay supplementation significantly (P<0.001) increased Ca, P and Mg intakes but did not significantly (P>0.05) affect K intake in both ML stover and OV hay diets. OV hay and ML stover basal forages fed to unsupplemented crossbred cows resulted into average milk yields of 6.82 and 8.25 kg/cow per day, respectively, over a lactation period of 140 days after calving. Supplementation with lablab hay significantly (P<0.001) increased milk yield of crossbred cows fed OV hay but for ML stover based diets, supplementation was only significant (P<0.05) at the lowest level (0.4% BW) of lablab offer. For ML stover based treatments, the highest daily milk yield (9.5 kg/head) was obtained at 0.4% of body weight (BW) lablab hay supplementation, while for OV hay treatments, the highest milk yield of 9.7 kg/head was obtained at 1.2% BW lablab hay supplementation. Mean concentrations of milk fat, protein and total solids were similar for both ML stover and OV hay diets fed alone but lablab hay supplementation did not significantly affect the concentration of milk components of cows fed both forages. It was concluded that for optimum milk production from crossbred cows fed ML stover and OV hay basal diets, supplementation should be at 0.52 and 0.85% of BW level of lablab hay, respectively. The lack of response to higher levels of lablab hay supplement despite the increased protein intake was interpreted as resulting from a deficit of dietary energy.     

苜蓿青贮对低质粗饲料条件下奶牛产奶性能的影响

选择1～3胎次泌乳中期的荷斯坦牛10头,配对分为2组:对照组和试验组,两组的混合精料组成相同,对照组粗饲料为豆秸、玉米秸、花生秧和玉米淀粉渣,试验组以10kg苜蓿青贮替代等量粗饲料,进行60d的饲养试验,以研究苜蓿青贮对低质粗饲料条件下奶牛产奶性能的影响。结果表明:(1)添加苜蓿青贮提高了供试奶牛体重(P0.01);(2)试验组各期采食量均高于对照组,且试验60d时差异达到了极显著水平(P0.01);(3)添加苜蓿青贮,提高了供试奶牛的产奶量和乳脂肪含量(P0.01,P0.05)。     

TMR日粮不同苜蓿干草长度对奶牛生产性能的影响

探讨TMR日粮中不同长度的苜蓿干草对奶牛产奶量及其乳成分的影响。本试验选用产奶量、泌乳天数、膘情和胎次相近的健康荷斯坦泌乳奶牛40头,随机分为两组,即试验1组20头,饲喂苜蓿干草长度为2.52cm的TMR日粮,试验2组20头,饲喂苜蓿干草长度为6.46cm的TMR日粮。试验分两期完成,Ⅰ期日粮鲜重的精粗比例为20：80,Ⅱ期日粮鲜重的精粗比例为30：70。采用双因子重复方差试验设计。结果表明：在Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期两期试验中,不同长度苜蓿干草TMR日粮对奶牛的产奶量均无显著影响（P〉0.05）,但对奶牛的干物质采食量有显著影响（P〈0.05）,试验1组比试验2组奶牛的干物质采食量在Ⅰ期和Ⅱ期试验中分别显著地提高了18.36%、7.40%。在Ⅰ期试验中,试验2组乳蛋白极显著高于试验1组（P〈0.01）,较试验1组提高了11.82%;在Ⅱ期试验中,试验1组乳脂率显著高于试验2组（P〈0.05）,较试验2组提高了8.89%。     

Effect of dietary inclusion of date seed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoenix dactylifera</Emphasis> L.) on intake,digestibility, milk production,and milk fatty acid profile of Holstein dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of ground date seed (GDS) on intake, digestibility, and milk yield and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of lactating Holstein cows. The experimental design was a 4?×?4 replicated Latin square with eight lactating dairy cows with an average milk production of 35.5?±?1.5 kg and 75?±?5 days in milk (DIM). Dairy cows were fed one of the four treatments contained 0, 2, 4, and 6% of diet dry matter (DM) GDS in replacement of wheat bran. All diets contained the same amount of forages (alfalfa hay and corn silage). Dietary treatments had no effect on DM intake (DMI), total tract apparent digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition. Increasing GDS linearly decreased concentration of C13:0 and increased cis-9 C14:1 and trans-11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid) (P?<?0.05). A linear tendency for more C16:1 content in milk fat was observed with increasing GDS (P?=?0.06). Feeding GDS resulted in a linear decrease (P?<?0.01) in saturated FA (SFA) but increased milk fat monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and trans FA (TFA) (P?<?0.05). Therefore, low levels of GDS (up to 6%) in the diet of Holstein dairy cows can beneficially modify milk FA composition without any adverse effects on intake, digestibility, and milk yield.     

Substitution of fresh forage ramie for alfalfa hay in diets affects production performance,milk composition,and serum parameters of dairy cows

We hypothesized that ramie, Boehmeria nivea (a nettle native to Asia), can be used as a high-quality forage to replace alfalfa hay in diets of dairy cows. Accordingly, we aimed to examine the effects of substituting fresh forage ramie for alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay on production performance, milk composition, and serum parameters of dairy cows. Thirty-two Holstein cows (body weight (BW)?=?590?±?50.6 kg) were randomly divided into four groups of eight cows. The experimental period lasted 10 weeks. The dietary treatments consisted of four proportions of fresh forage ramie (0, 33, 67, and 100%) as a substitute for alfalfa hay (designated as CON, FR33, FR67, and FR100, respectively). On days 69 and 70 of the experimental period, milk and blood samples were collected for analysis. We found no significant differences in the milk yield and milk quality (milk protein percentage, milk fat percentage, and milk lactose percentage) between the treatments. We did find that forage ramie significantly reduced dry matter intake (DMI) and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield. Meanwhile, no significant differences were detected in serum parameters between the treatments, with the exception of triglyceride (TG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). In conclusion, our data indicate that alfalfa hay can be replaced with forage ramie in the diet of Holstein cows in the milk lactation stage, with no negative effects on milk quality and blood parameters.

     

Production and economic performance of F1-crossbred dairy cattle fed non-conventional protein supplements in Zimbabwe

The effects of supplementing crossbred cows with non-conventional protein sources on dry matter intake, milk yield parameters and economic returns were investigated. Twenty-five lactating F₁ Holstein-Mashona crossbreds averaging 115?±?24 days in milk were used. Five treatments, total mixed ration (TMR), urea-treated maize stover, untreated maize stover, Macroptilium atropurpureum (Siratro) hay and veld hay, were randomly assigned to cows and replicated five times in a completely randomised design. Nutrient composition, intake, milk yield and economic returns were determined. M. atropurpureum hay, urea-treated maize stover and TMR had equal crude protein content. Daily dry matter intake and yield differed significantly among the treatment diets (P?<?0.05). Cows on TMR, urea-treated maize stover and M. atropurpureum consumed more (P?<?0.05) than cows on untreated maize stover and veld hay. Supplementing with TMR, urea-treated maize stover and M. atropurpureum hay increased (P?<?0.05) milk yields. Mean daily milk yield was highest for cows supplemented with urea-treated maize stover. Percent fat, protein and total solids in milk from cows fed urea-treated stover compared favourably to that of milk for cows supplemented with TMR. Income over supplement cost was highest for cows supplemented with M. atropurpureum hay and urea-treated maize stover. Urea-treated maize stover and M. atropurpureum can therefore be used as a replacer protein supplements for dairy cattle in Zimbabwe.     

热应激条件下粗饲料组合对奶牛氮素利用的影响

为了研究粗饲料组合对热应激奶牛氮素利用的影响,试验选取20头胎次和泌乳天数相似的健康荷斯坦奶牛,随机分成2组,每组10头,分别饲喂2种粗饲料组合饲粮:玉米青贮+苜蓿(0.92∶1.00,AF组)和玉米秸秆(CS组)。2组饲粮精料相同,精粗比均为63.7∶36.3。预试期1周,正试期8周。结果表明:1)与CS组相比,AF组奶牛产奶量及能量校正乳、4%脂肪校正乳、乳蛋白和乳糖产量显著或极显著升高(P0.01或P0.05)。2)奶牛对AF组饲粮粗蛋白质表观消化率极显著高于CS组(P0.01)。3)与CS组相比,AF组瘤胃微生物蛋白产量显著升高(P0.05),而尿液和血液尿素氮浓度极显著降低(P0.01)。4)与CS组相比,AF组氮摄入量和乳中氮产量极显著升高(P0.01),但氮转化效率显著降低(P0.05)。结果提示,与玉米秸秆相比,玉米青贮+苜蓿的组合能提高饲粮粗蛋白质水平,增加热应激奶牛粗蛋白质表观消化率,促进瘤胃微生物蛋白和乳蛋白的合成,但氮的转化效率有待提高。     

Effect of raw soya bean particle size on productive performance and digestion of dairy cows

Differing soya bean particle sizes may affect productive performance and ruminal fermentation due to the level of fatty acid (FA) exposure of the cotyledon in soya bean grain and because the protein in small particles is more rapidly degraded than the protein in large particles, which influence ruminal fibre digestion and the amounts of ruminally undegradable nutrients. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of raw soya bean particle size on productive performance, digestion and milk FA profile of dairy cows. Twelve Holstein cows were assigned to three 4 × 4 Latin squares with 21‐day periods. At the start of the experiment, cows were 121 days in milk (DIM) and yielded 30.2 kg/day of milk. Cows were fed 4 diets: (i) control diet (CO), without raw soya bean; (ii) whole raw soya bean (WRS); (iii) cracked raw soya bean in Wiley mill 4‐mm screen (CS4); and (iv) cracked raw soya bean in Wiley mill 2‐mm screen (CS2). The inclusion of soya beans (whole or cracked) was 200 g/kg on dry matter (DM) basis and partially replaced ground corn and soya bean meal. Uncorrected milk yield and composition were not influenced by experimental diets; however, fat‐corrected milk (FCM) decreased when cows were fed soya bean treatments. Soya bean diets increased the intake of ether extract (EE) and net energy of lactation (NE_L), and decreased the intake of DM and non‐fibre carbohydrate (NFC). Ruminal propionate concentration was lower in cows fed WRS than cows fed CS2 or CS4. Cows fed cracked raw soya bean presented lower nitrogen in faeces than cows fed WRS. The milk of cows fed WRS, CS2 and CS4 presented higher unsaturated FA than cows fed CO. The addition of raw soya bean in cow diets, regardless of the particle size, did not impair uncorrected milk yield and nutrient digestion, and increased the concentration of unsaturated FA in milk. Cows fed cracked raw soya bean presented similar productive performance to cows fed whole raw soya bean.