Effect of milking frequency in early lactation on energy metabolism, milk production and reproductive performance of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of imposing different milking frequencies for the first 4 weeks of lactation on energy balance, blood metabolic profiles and reproductive performance. The milking frequencies imposed were once daily for the first 4 weeks of lactation and twice daily subsequently (X1), twice daily for the entire lactation (X2) and three times daily for the first 4 weeks of lactation and twice daily subsequently (X3). Two weeks prior to the first expected calving date, sixty-three multiparous, Holstein-Friesian cows, were allocated to treatments based on expected calving date, parity (lactation number = 2 and lactation number > 2), BCS and BW. Mean DMI was lower (P < 0.05) on X1 than X2 (15.7 and 17.1 kg/day) over the first 4 weeks of lactation, but DMI on X3 was not different to either. Milk yield was lower (P < 0.05) on X1 than on X2 and X3 (24.1, 31.9 and 31.4 kg/day) from weeks 1 to 4 and at week 10 of lactation (30.9, 33.9 and 33.7 kg/day) but was not different at week 20. Yield of milk constituents followed the same pattern as milk yield. Milking frequency had no significant effect on milk fat or protein concentration but milk lactose concentration was higher (P < 0.05) on X1 than on X2. Cows on X1 experienced less (P < 0.05) negative energy balance than those on X2 and X3 from weeks 1 to 4, with no difference between X2 and X3. Cows on X1 lost less BW (P < 0.05) from weeks 1 to 4 and lost less BCS up to day 73 of lactation than cows on X2 and X3. Plasma NEFA and BHB concentrations tended to be lower and plasma glucose tended to be higher on X1 than on X2 and X3 from weeks 1 to 4, while plasma insulin was higher on X1 than on X2 and X3 for the first 2 weeks of lactation. There was no difference between treatments in any reproductive performance variable measured. These results indicate that reduced milking frequency decreases milk yield and improves energy balance and metabolic status in early lactation.     

Relationship between feeding behaviour and feed intake of dairy cows depending on their parity and milk yield

To investigate the relationship between the parameters of feeding behaviour and feed intake, 70 lactating dairy cows (23 primiparous and 47 multiparous) were monitored from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation. Data were collected by using an automatic feeder and electronic identification of individual cows from 10 July 2005 to 16 January 2006. The resulting data of the cows in primiparous and multiparous condition were categorised into groups based on the mean of their milk yield over the first 15 weeks of lactation: primiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LP) and above-average milk yield (HP) with an average of 28.44 and 34.31 kg energy-corrected milk (ECM) per day, respectively, and multiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LM) and above-average milk yield (HM) with an average of 38.70 and 44.49 kg ECM per day, respectively. The parameters of feeding behaviour were calculated based on the estimated meal criterion from pooled data. Parity, level of milk yield, and day had significant effects on some of characteristics of feeding behaviour and feed intake parameters. There was no significant difference in meal duration either between primiparous and multiparous cows or between LP and HP. However, a significant difference between LM and HM was observed. Cows in HM had shorter feeding times but a larger meal size, higher DMI, and feeding rate. Moreover, these cows displayed a stronger correlation between meal duration, daily mealtime and daily feed intake (r = 0.37 and 0.50, P < 0.001, respectively) than any other cow or group of cows of the study. Meal duration, daily mealtime, meal size and daily DMI increased on average about 32%, 20%, 35%, and 22% respectively, considering all milk yield groups from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation.     

Effect of extruded linseed on productive and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows

A total of 356 early lactation multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding extruded linseed on milk production and composition, and reproductive performance. Forty of these cows were randomly selected to study the effects of extruded linseed on milk fatty acid (FA) profile, individual feed intake and prostaglandin secretion. Cows were fed a 40:60 forage to concentrate ratio diet (17.9% CP, 27.7% NDF and 6.0% EE) ad libitum that was similar in composition between treatments except for the protein supplements that differed and were control (CTR: 4.9% extruded soybean) and linseed (LIN: 5.5% extruded linseed). Individual DM intake measured at 40 (23.0 kg/d) and 90 (24.2 kg/d) days in milk, and milk yield (45.0 kg/d) were not affected by treatment, but the lower (P < 0.05) milk fat percentage in cows fed LIN (2.65%) compared with CTR (2.86%) resulted in lower (P < 0.05) 4.0% fat-corrected milk yield for cows fed LIN (35.4 kg/d) compared with CTR (37.7 kg/d). Milk protein content was higher (P < 0.05) in LIN (3.04%) than in CTR (3.00%). The concentration of saturated FA was lower (P < 0.05) in milk fat from LIN (56.2%) compared with CTR (60.2%). Monounsaturated FA (35.7 vs. 32.7%) and polyunsaturated FA (8.0 vs. 6.9%) were higher in LIN (P < 0.05) than in CTR. Supplementation with LIN also increased (P < 0.05) the proportion of vaccenic acid (2.21 vs. 1.55%), total conjugated linoleic acid (0.91 vs. 0.72%) and n-3 FA (1.21 vs. 0.54%) in milk compared with CTR. Plasma concentrations of prostaglandin metabolite were numerically lower in LIN (106 pg/ml) compared with CTR (120 pg/ml) (P = 0.16) but reproductive performance was similar between treatments. In summary, extruded linseed reduced milk fat percentage and 4.0% fat-corrected milk yield and increased milk protein percentage and the content of healthy FA in milk without modifying DM intake, milk yield and reproductive performance.     

泌乳期母猪的饲喂频率对其体况、生产和繁殖性能的影响

文章评估了哺乳期间母猪的饲喂频率(2或3次/d)对母猪体况、繁殖性能及仔猪生长性能的影响。试验选择68头母猪,随机分为8组(每组8~10头母猪),哺乳期间其中4组母猪每天饲喂2次,另外4组每天饲喂3次,母猪分为青年母猪(<2胎次)和老龄母猪(≥3胎次),试验结束后记录母猪体况评分、肩部组织病变、发情率、母猪生产及仔猪生长性能。结果显示:每天饲喂3次的母猪比饲喂2次的母猪采食量高(P<0.05),肩部组织病变低(P<0.05)。在每天饲喂3次的母猪中,青年母猪返情率为0%,老龄母猪返情率为29%,而在每天饲喂2次的母猪中,青年母猪发情率为20%,老龄母猪为5%。综上所述,在哺乳期,母猪每天饲喂3次较每天饲喂2次提高了采食量,对母猪体况评分和肩部组织病变有改善作用,同时也降低了年轻母猪的返情率。     

Effects of weaning age and milk feeding frequency on dairy calf growth, health and rumen parameters

Various methods can be used to feed dairy calves that may influence calf performance and these include changing frequency of feeding or age at weaning. Two trials were conducted to determine effects of feeding frequency and weaning age on calf growth, health and rumen development, where 124 Holstein heifer and bull calves were weaned at 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks of age. During Trial 1, milk replacer (12.5% DM; 22% CP, 15.6% fat) was fed at 10% BW twice per day until 1 week prior to weaning when intake was reduced to 5% BW. During Trial 2 calves were fed at 10% BW in two feedings until 14 days, then at 10% BW once daily until 1 week prior to weaning when milk replacer was reduced to 5% BW. Blood glucose and urea nitrogen, BW 4 h post-feeding, heart girth, hip height, and withers height 4 h post-feeding were obtained weekly. Growth and structural measurements were similar for all treatments up to 8 weeks of age in both trials. Blood constituents and health observations were not different between trials. Similar growth and performance between treatments in both trials through 8 weeks of age indicate that calf performance is not affected by weaning early and feeding once daily.     

Performance of spring-calving beef suckler cows and their progeny on four contrasting grassland management systems

Data were collected over four consecutive years from four, rotationally grazed, grassland management systems each with 15 spring-calving beef suckler cows and their progeny to 13 months of age. The Systems were high stocking rate (SR), high fertiliser nitrogen (N), 2 silage harvests — HH2; high SR, low N, 2 silage harvests — HL2; low SR, low N, 2 silage harvests — LL2, and low SR, low N, 1 silage harvest — LL1. High and low SR were 0.49 and 0.59 ha cow^− 1 unit, respectively, and high and low N amounted to an annual input of 239 and 57 kg ha^− 1 on the grazing areas, respectively. Where applicable, the four Systems received 114 and 80 kg of N ha^− 1 for the first and second silage harvests, respectively. Equal areas of Systems HH2, HL2 and LL2 were conserved as silage (0.29 and 0.21 ha for first (24 May) and second (4 August) harvests, respectively cow^− 1 unit) each year. Silage from System LL1 (0.37 ha cow^− 1 unit) was conserved 14 days after the other first harvests. Following the final harvesting for silage within any System these areas of grassland were then grazed. During the winter all animals were housed and cows were offered grass silage and calves were offered silage plus 1 kg of concentrate per head daily. Good cow and calf performance at pasture were obtained at both high SR and high N or low SR and low N. At the high SR, increasing the level of fertiliser N application increased cow liveweight gain at pasture by 24 kg, improved body condition score (BCS) gain at pasture by 0.36 units and prolonged the grazing season by 7 days. Similarly, at the low level of fertiliser N, reducing the SR, increased cow liveweight gain at pasture by 21 kg, improved BCS gain at pasture by 0.23 units and prolonged the grazing season by 7 days. At the low SR all the winter silage requirements could be provided in one as opposed to two harvests thereby reducing the conservation area. However, delayed harvesting of silage resulted in lower silage digestibility and reduced calf performance in winter. The results indicate the specifications for a planned lower N grassland system, particularly where qualification for EU environmental schemes is dependent on moderate stocking densities.     

Effects of body condition score at calving and feeding various types of concentrate supplements to grazing dairy cows on early lactation performance

The objective of the experiment reported here was to establish the effect of canola meal supplements of different protein degradability on the performance of grazing dairy cows with different body condition scores (BCS) in early lactation, and to compare this with feeding a cereal grain supplement instead. The experiment included a total of 72 cows in six treatments in a 2 ^* 3 factorial design, incorporating two BCS at calving (4.1 and 5.6 units on an 8-point scale), and three early lactation pelleted supplements. The three pelleted supplements were 100% wheat (wheat supplement), 50% wheat and 50% untreated mechanically extracted canola meal (a rumen degradable protein supplement), and 50% wheat and 50% canola meal that had been subjected to additional heat and pressure (a rumen undegradable protein supplement). It was hypothesised that fat cows would perform best with the treated canola meal supplement, which provided most rumen undegradable protein, whereas the type of protein would not be important for thin cows, and neither would the type of supplemental energy. Cows grazed pasture after calving at a daily pasture allowance of 35–40 kg DM/cow and were offered 6 kg concentrates each day. Cows were fed these diets for 92 days on average, from calving until three weeks into the mating period. Both canola meal-based supplements resulted in higher (P < 0.05) daily milk production than the wheat supplement (33.3 and 34.0 v. 30.5 kg/cow) in both thin and fat cows. Body condition score at calving positively (P < 0.05) affected average milk yield (31.6 v. 33.7 kg/cow), however, there was a time × BCS × supplement interaction whereby the fatter cows benefited from the use of either of the canola meal supplements for a longer period than did the thin cows. Average milk fat concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) where the canola meal supplements were fed (39.3 and 39.6 v. 35.6 g/kg), and in fat cows relative to thin cows (40.0 v. 36.3 g/kg). Serum urea concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cows fed wheat than in those fed either of the canola meal supplements (3.1 v. 4.3 and 4.2 mmol/L). Serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05) where wheat pellets were fed, and highest (P < 0.05) where treated canola meal pellets were fed, and plasma glucose concentrations were highest with wheat and lowest with the treated canola meal pellets. Thus, the hypothesis was not supported by the results of this experiment.     

Effect of cooling Holstein cows during the dry period on postpartum performance under heat stress conditions

Two experiments were completed to determine whether cooling Holstein cows during their 60-day prepartum period improved their immediate physiological status as well as subsequent postpartum performance. In Experiment 1, 38 cows were divided into two pens that were not cooled, or where the cows were moved twice daily to be cooled by soaking until their body was completely wet. Prepartum respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperatures (RT) did not differ between groups, indicating that the cooling system was largely ineffective, which was consistent with differences that only numerically favored the treated group in postpartum productive (milk production, milk fat content and related response variables), and reproductive (services per conception and days open) performance. In Experiment 2, 52 Holstein cows were used over 3 years (n = 24 in year one; n = 12 in year two; n = 16 in year three) and cows were housed in pens either not cooled or cooled with water spray and fans. Cooled cows had lower RR and RT prepartum at 14:00 and 18:00 h vs. non-cooled cows, indicating that the cooling system was effective, and this was consistent with improved productive (milk production, milk fat content and related response variables), and reproductive (services per conception and days open) performance postpartum. In addition, there was a trend (P = 0.10) to higher birth weights of calves from cooled mothers (which was consistent with a numeric difference in Experiment 1). Use of effective cooling systems under hot and dry conditions during the dry period can improve postpartum productive and reproductive performance of Holstein cows.     

Effect of milk feed source,frequency of feeding and age at turnout on calf performance,live-weight at mating and 1st lactation milk production

Female calves (n = 108) were assigned to 6 cold milk feeding treatments in two experiments for a 70-day period. Live-weight (LW) was measured weekly, with an additional LW taken at day 410 and post-calving for animals in experiment 1. In Experiment 1, the effect of feeding frequency and age of turnout to pasture on calf performance and 1^st lactation milk yields were evaluated. The whole milk (WM) feeding treatments applied were (i) once daily feeding (OD), (ii) twice daily feeding (TD), (iii) OD feeding, outdoors at 38 days (ODO). In Experiment 2, the effects of feeding milk replacer (MR) as opposed to WM and age of turnout to pasture on calf performance were evaluated. The treatments applied were (i) OD feeding with WM (OD), (ii) OD feeding with milk replacer (MR) (ODMR), (iii) OD feeding with MR, outdoors at 38 days (ODMRO). Experiment 1: There were no differences (P > 0.05) in LW or average daily gain between TD and OD calves at day 80 or 410. ODO calves had lower LW at day 80 as compared to OD or TD (P < 0.001). Calf LW at day 80 was 86, 89 and 85 kg and at day 410 was 304, 309 and 316 kg for OD, TD and ODO, respectively. Milk feeding frequency or time of calf turnout had no effect on LW post calving, milk composition or 1st lactation milk yields. Experiment 2: Total LW at day 80 was higher (P < 0.05) for ODMR compared to OD or ODMRO calves. Calf LW was 87, 95, and 88 kg for OD, ODMR and ODMRO, respectively. However, LW at day 410 did not differ between treatments.This study showed that while some differences were observed in calf LW at day 80, these differences had no effect on LW at day 410 or 1^st lactation milk yield. It can be concluded that calves can be successfully reared when fed OD with WM or MR, indoors and when turned out to pasture at 38 days of age.     

Effects of magnesium on the performance of sows and their piglets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplemental magnesium (Mg) on the performance of gilts and parity 3 sows and their piglets. Fifty-six gilts (Trial 1) and 56 sows (Trial 2) were assigned to one of 4 treatments according to their mating weight, respectively. The treatments comprised corn-soybean meal based gestation and lactation diets (0.21% magnesium) supplemented with 0, 0.015, 0.03, or 0.045% Mg from mating until weaning. The results showed that magnesium supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the weaning to estrus interval in both gilts and sows. There were significant effects (P < 0.05) of supplemental magnesium on the total number of piglets born, born alive and weaned in sows. In late gestation and lactation, the digestibility of crude fiber (quadratic effects, P < 0.05), and crude protein (P < 0.05), were significantly influenced by magnesium in gilts and sows, respectively. There were differences among the 4 groups in terms of the apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude fiber in sows (P < 0.05) during both early and late gestation. The apparent digestibility of gross energy was increased for sows in late gestation (P < 0.05), and lactation (quadratic effects, P < 0.05). At farrowing and weaning, serum prolactin levels and alkaline phosphate activities linearly increased in sows as the Mg supplementation increased (P < 0.05). Serum Mg of sows at farrowing and serum urea nitrogen of sows at weaning was significantly influenced by Mg supplementation (P < 0.05). The Mg concentration in sow colostrum and the serum of their piglets were increased by supplemental magnesium (P < 0.05). In addition, growth hormone levels were linearly elevated (P < 0.05) in the serum of piglets suckling sows. Our data demonstrated that supplemental magnesium has the potential to improve the reproduction performance of sows, and the suitable supplemental dose ranged from 0.015% to 0.03%.     

Effects of forage feeding versus grain feeding on the growth performance and meat quality of Yangzhou geese

1. Highly palatable and nutritious meat products can be produced through dietary interventions. Previous studies have shown that forage feeding has a significant impact on the growth performance and nutrition of cattle in various regions, but whether the same effects can be induced in geese remains unclear.

2. Three hundred and sixty Yangzhou goslings were divided according to body weight at 29 d old, assigned to one of 4 treatments and raised in separate pens. The treatments applied were (A) grazing, (B) grazing, grain supplemental diet (64 to 70 d), (C) grazing, grain supplemental diet and (D) confined.

3. Eviscerated carcass yield was lower in the grazing treatment. Protein content and muscle collagen in both the breast and thigh muscles were significantly higher in the grazing treatment than the confined, while fat content exhibited the opposite tendency. Those fed on grass and supplementary grain had a higher Mg and Cu content in breast muscle.

4. Geese will grow to their full potential when they are allowed to consume grass from pasture supplemented with grain, protein, collagen, Mg and Cu content was greater to a degree, which suggests this feeding regime is an ideal model for goose production.     

The effect of stocking rate and lick supplementation on the performance of lactating beef cows and its impact on Highland Sourveld

Abstract

The Highland Sourveld of Natal is an important beef producing area. Although it covers only 13% of the total area of the province, it supports 18% of the beef cattle population.

The performance of cows and their calves stocked at four stocking rates on Highland Sourveld was studied. Two stocking rates were duplicated to test the benefit of an energy lick against a mineral lick. The effect of stocking rate on the veld was monitored in terms of compositional change.

Stocking rate significantly affected cow performance and consequently calf performance. An energy lick supplement, as opposed to a mineral lick supplement, was beneficial at the 1,0 LSU/ha stocking rate, but not at the 1,67 LSU/ha stocking rate.

The composition of the veld in the low to moderately stocked treatments changed relatively little, over the recording period, whilst the very high stocking rate treatments showed a rapid delcine in veld composition score.     

Effects of interval-feeding whole sunflower seeds during mid to late gestation on performance of beef cows and their progeny

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of interval feeding of whole sunflower seeds on the performance of beef cows and their progeny. During mid to late gestation, 144 multiparous, spring-calving beef cows (588 kg of initial BW; 5.6 initial BCS; 4 to 13 yr old) were individually fed 1 of 3 supplements 4 d/wk for a 76-d period. Supplements (DM basis) included: 1) 0.68 kg of soybean meal/feeding (NCON); 2) 3.01 kg of a soybean hull-based supplement/feeding (PCON); and 3) 1.66 kg of whole sunflower seeds high in linoleic acid/feeding (WSUN). Supplements were formulated to provide similar amounts of CP and ruminally degraded intake protein; PCON and WSUN were also formulated to be isocaloric. During the supplementation period, cows had free-choice access to bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and tall-grass prairie hay. By the end of the 76-d supplementation period, cows fed PCON (P < 0.01) and NCON (P < 0.01) had gained more BW than cows fed WSUN (33, 23, and 10 kg, respectively). However, from the end of this supplementation period to the beginning of the breeding season 84 d later, cows supplemented with PCON had lost more (P < 0.01) BW than cows supplemented with WSUN (-123 kg vs. -111 kg). Cow BW change through weaning (-50 kg, P = 0.43) and final cow BW (536 kg, P = 0.70) at weaning were not different among supplement groups. Furthermore, cow BCS was similar among supplement treatment groups at the end of the supplementation period (5.3, P = 0.09), at the beginning of the breeding season (4.8, P = 0.38), and at weaning (4.7, P = 0.08). No difference among treatments was detected for calf birth weight (36 kg, P = 0.42), calf weaning weight (235 kg, P = 0.67), percentage of cows exhibiting luteal activity at the beginning of the breeding season (57%, P = 0.29), or pregnancy rate (88%, P = 0.44). However, first service conception rate was greater (P = 0.01) for cows fed PCON (79%) and tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for cows fed WSUN (74%) than for cows fed NCON (53%). After weaning, all steer calves were placed in a feedlot and fed a high-concentrate finishing diet for an average of 188 d. Supplements fed to dams during gestation did not influence feedlot performance or carcass characteristics. Prepartum energy supplementation, regardless of energy source or prepartum energy balance, resulted in improved conception rate, but other measures of reproduction, calf and feedlot performance, and carcass characteristics were not affected.     

Effects of outdoor winter housing and feeding level on performance and blood metabolites of suckler cows fed whole-crop barley silage

The experiment studied the effects of long-term cold climatic housing conditions at a latitude of 62°N on pregnant Hereford cows and their progeny. Thirty-five cows in their third parity were overwintered in outdoor facilities with either a rain-shelter or a three-wall shelter, or in an uninsulated barn. Whole-crop barley silage was offered to the cows either ad libitum or restricted supplemented with oats. The dry matter intake on the restricted diet was 75% of that on the ad libitum diet. The cow live weight (LW) averaged 670 kg at the onset of the experiment. During winter the cows outdoors on the restricted diet maintained their LW while those on the ad libitum diet gained LW (P < 0.05, − 3 vs. 41 kg). On pasture, the LW gain (LWG) was 61 and 32 kg (P < 0.05) for the cows overwintered outdoors on the restricted and on the ad libitum diets, respectively. The initial body condition score (BCS, Scale: 0–5) of the cows averaged 2.90. During winter the cows outdoors on the restricted diet decreased and those on the ad libitum diet increased the BCS (P < 0.01, − 0.14 vs. 0.21). On pasture, the cows overwintered outdoors on the restricted diet increased the BCS more than those overwintered on the ad libitum diet (P < 0.05, 0.31 vs. 0.08). No signs of extraordinary stress, massive consumption of energy stores, frequent muscle injuries or severe inflammations occurred in any of the groups according to blood analyses of cows, e.g. cortisol, long-chain fatty acids, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and white blood cell count. The calving period was from 11 March to 21 April. Only one indoor calving was classified as difficult due to faulty disposition leading to the loss of the calf. All outdoor calvings were easy. The LWG of the indoor calves of cows on the ad libitum diet was poorer (P < 0.05) pre the grazing period than that of the outdoor calves of cows on the ad libitum diet. On pasture and during the entire experiment the LWG was similar for all calves, averaging 1335 and 1251 g/d, respectively. The breeding season was 82 days. Thirty cows out of 33 were observed to be pregnant after the mating period. All the facilities offered adequate shelter for the mature, pregnant suckler cows. The restricted offering of whole-crop barley silage provided, on average, 101 MJ metabolizable energy/d and gave enough energy for the cows.     

Differences between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows in the inter-relationships between metabolic traits, milk yield and body condition score in the periparturient period

During the early postpartum period dairy cows mobilize fat and muscle to support lactation. This is associated with alterations in blood metabolite and hormone profiles which in turn influence milk yield and fertility. This study developed models to determine how metabolic traits, milk yield and body condition score were inter-related at different times in the periparturient period and to compare these relationships in primiparous (PP, n=188) and multiparous (MP, n=312) cows. Data from four previous studies which included information on blood metabolic parameters, parity, milk yield, body condition score and diet were collated into a single dataset. Coefficients of polynomial equations were calculated for each trait between -1 week pre-calving and week +7 postpartum using residual maximum likelihood modelling. The completed dataset was used in a multiple correlation model to determine how the best fit curves were related to each other over time. PP cows had higher concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I and lower beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations throughout, higher leptin concentrations pre-partum and both the peak in non-esterified fatty acids and the nadir in urea concentration occurred earlier after calving. These differences were associated with significantly lower milk production. Leptin concentrations fell at calving and were related to body condition score. Insulin was negatively correlated with yield in MP cows only. In MP cows the relationship between insulin-like growth factor-I and yield switched from negative to positive between weeks +4 and +7. Both beta-hydroxybutyrate and urea were positively related to yield in PP cows. In contrast, in MP cows beta-hydroxybutyrate was negatively correlated with yield and urea was strongly related to body condition score but not yield. These results suggest that there are differences in the control of tissue mobilization between PP and MP cows which may promote nutrient partitioning into growth as well as milk during the first lactation.     

不同饲养模式对哺乳犊牛体尺指标和瘤胃发育的影响

为研究优质牧草对犊牛体尺指标和瘤胃发育的影响,选取20头体重、日龄相近的健康荷斯坦奶犊牛,采用完全随机设计的方法,分为试验组和对照组,每组10头,其中公、母各半。对照组饲喂颗粒精料+鲜牛奶,试验组饲喂颗粒精料+优质苜蓿干草+鲜牛奶,于3月龄断奶时进行体尺指标和瘤胃发育指标的测量。结果表明:试验组和对照组各项体尺指标差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组显著提高了犊牛3月龄的瘤胃平均重量、瓣胃平均容积、瓣胃平均重量、皱胃平均容积(P<0.05),且瘤胃乳头绒毛长,颜色深,以瘤胃底部发育最好且分布较多乳头,顶部分布较少且稀疏,还可有效地防止了瘤胃内毛球的形成,明显降低犊牛异食癖和瘤胃臌气的发生,而对照组瘤胃乳头发育较差,颜色较浅,瘤胃壁薄,但瘤胃乳头分布均匀。     

酵母培养物对热应激奶牛泌乳性能和营养物质表观消化率的影响

文章旨在研究炎热夏季条件下日粮中酵母培养物添加水平对荷斯坦奶牛生产性能和营养物质表观消化率的影响。试验选取60头中国荷斯坦奶牛,按照胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量进行区组设计,随机分为3组,每组有20头奶牛。对照组奶牛饲喂基础日粮,试验1组奶牛和试验2组奶牛分别在基础日粮的基础上补充饲喂100 g/d·头和200 g/d·头的酵母培养物。预试期2周,正试期8周。试验期间每天记录产奶量,每周采集奶样测定乳成分,正试期最后3 d进行消化试验,采用酸不溶灰分法测定营养物质表观消化率。试验期间,每天大部分时间牛舍的平均温湿指数大于72,意味着奶牛试验期间遭受不同程度的热应激影响。酵母培养物显著提高热应激泌乳早期奶牛的干物质采食量,以饲喂200 g/d·头的奶牛具有最大干物质采食量(P <0.05)。酵母培养物显著增加遭受热应激的泌乳早期奶牛的产奶量,本试验条件下呈线性增加(P <0.05)。酵母培养物显著提高遭受热应激的泌乳早期奶牛的乳糖率,本试验条件下呈线性增加(P <0.05)。遭受热应激的泌乳早期奶牛补充饲喂酵母培养物对其他乳成分无显著影响(P> 0.05)。酵母培养物显著提高热应激条件下泌乳早期奶牛的干物质、粗蛋白质和中性洗涤纤维的消化率(P <0.05),而对粗脂肪和酸性洗涤纤维的消化率无显著影响(P> 0.05)。因此,酵母培养物饲喂遭受热应激的泌乳早期奶牛可以显著增加其干物质采食量和提高产奶量,并改善营养物质消化率,本试验中以200 g/d·头的饲喂剂量最佳。     

体况评分与步态评分对奶牛生产性能的影响

为探究体况评分(Body Condition Score,BCS)和步态评分(Locomotion Score,LS)对奶牛泌乳性能的影响,本试验在2016年7月至8月通过对北京地区7个奶牛场近5 000头泌乳牛进行体况和步态评分并收集相关的DHI数据,采用固定模型分析BCS和LS的影响因素及场、胎次、泌乳阶段、LS和BCS对日产奶量、体细胞数及乳成分的影响。结果表明:BCS和LS对日产奶量均有极显著影响(P0.01),BCS对乳蛋白率有显著影响(P0.05);胎次对LS有极显著影响(P0.01),而对BCS无显著影响,场-测量人、泌乳阶段对BCS和LS均有极显著影响(P0.01);LS与BCS之间回归关系显著,LS较高的个体BCS较低。在生产上可以综合运用BCS和LS加强管理,提升产奶量,改善乳品质量,使牛场获得更大的经济利益。     

Effects of feeding frequency on meat quality traits and Longissimus muscle proteome in finishing pigs

Sixty‐four barrows with an initial body weight of 59.8 ± 2.1 kg were allocated to one of the two feeding frequency regimes (had free access to diet and fed two meals per day). Pigs had free access (FA) to feed were fed on an ad libitum basis during the 8‐week experimental period. Pigs fed twice daily (M2) were allowed to consume their meals in 2 h. Pigs fed twice daily had lower average daily feed intake (p < 0.01) and average daily gain (p < 0.1), but a greater G:F (p < 0.05) than FA pigs. Lower perirenal fat deposition, hot carcass weight, intramuscular fat content (p < 0.05) and dressing percentage (p < 0.1) were found in M2 pigs compared with FA pigs. Activities of citrate synthase, β‐hydroxylacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase were greater in the Longissimus muscle (LM) of M2 pigs compared with FA pigs (p < 0.05). Proteomic analysis revealed that expression abundances of proteins involved in glucose metabolism, energy production and lipid utilization were upregulated, but expression levels of proteins participating in protein and amino acid metabolism, stress response and redox homeostasis were downregulated in the LM of M2 pigs than those in FA pigs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the less meal frequency impairs growth rate, has marginal effects on carcass and meat quality traits and affects expression abundances of proteins in the LM of finishing pigs.