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.     

日粮精粗比对奶牛瘤胃内环境的影响

本文主要讨论了日粮精粗比对奶牛瘤胃内环境的影响,包括对瘤胃细菌菌群数量、瘤胃pH值、瘤胃内容物稀释率和外流速度、氨态氮浓度以及挥发性脂肪酸的影响。     

Response of lambs to continuous and rotational grazing at four grazing intensities on Midmar Italian ryegrass

Abstract

Irrigated Midmar Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) was grazed either continuously or rotationally at four grazing intensities by three successive sets of weaned lambs for the winter, spring and summer periods, respectively. The “put‐and‐take” system was applied. In the case of continuous grazing, amounts of available dry matter (DM) per hectare were varied, whereas with rotational grazing different grazing intensities were established by allocating different amounts of DM per unit livemass. Amounts of DM on offer were determined in both systems to provide a basis for comparison.

There were no differences in average daily gain (ADG) at equivalent levels of available DM between grazing procedures in winter. In both spring and summer, however, ADG at given levels of available DM was greater (P ≤0,01) with continuous than with rotational grazing. Stocking rate at equivalent levels of available DM was higher (P ≤0,01) for rotational as compared with continuous grazing in winter and summer, but in summer, grazing procedure had no effect on stocking rate. There was an interaction between stocking rate and grazing method in winter (P ≤0,01). At high stocking rates, ADG were higher (P ≤0,01) under rotational than under continuous grazing. In spring and summer the ADG for continuous grazing was higher (P ≤0,01) than that for rotational grazing at equivalent stocking rates. The estimated stocking rates for maximum gains/ha ranged in the different seasons from 45 to 123 lambs/ha.     

Early lactation dairy cows: Development of equations to predict intake and milk performance at grazing

The objectives of this study were to examine the effect of parity and days in milk (DIM) on dry matter intake (DMI) and actual milk yield (MY_Act) of grazing spring calving dairy cows in early lactation (< 100 DIM) and to develop equations to predict DMI and milk yield for grass based systems of milk production. A dataset containing 335 observations from 134 Holstein Friesian dairy cows was assembled from two early lactation grazing studies. Observations were available for primiparous (n = 130) and multiparous (n = 205) cows during periods of DMI measurement using the n-alkane technique. Animal performance was divided into two classes of DIM: less than 50 DIM (< 50 DIM) or between 51 and 100 DIM (> 50 DIM). Parity and DIM had a significant effect on grass DMI (GDMI), total DMI (TDMI), MY_Act and milk composition. TDMI increased with parity and DIM and ranged from 13.4 kg/cow per day (primiparous animals, < 50 DIM) to 20.1 kg/cow per day (multiparous animals, > 50 DIM). Actual MY increased with parity and decreased with DIM (range: 24.1 kg/cow per day (primiparous animals, > 50 DIM) to 33.0 kg/cow per day (multiparous animals, < 50 DIM)). Multiparous cows had greater bodyweight (BW) and lower BCS than primiparous cows. In the early lactation period a number of variables had a significant effect on GDMI, TDMI and milk yield. These predictor variables included BW, BCS, potential milk yield (MY_Pot), DIM, daily herbage allowance (DHA; > 4 cm), concentrate level and parity. The equations accounted for 79%, 83% and 86% of the variation in GDMI, TDMI and milk yield, respectively. Actual milk yield was always below the MY_Pot of the cows, the mean difference was 5.8 kg/cow per day. As DHA and concentrate level increased, the difference between MY_Act and MY_Pot reduced. This study supports the concept that immediately post-calving offering a grass based diet with a medium level of concentrate supplementation is sufficient to support high milk production in grazing dairy cows.     

Effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake,nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture

Two experiments were conducted to elucidate the effect of increased concentrate allotment before evening grazing on herbage intake, nitrogen utilization and rumen fermentation in dairy cows. In experiment 1, nine lactating cows were grazed in the morning and evening sessions (2.5 h each). The cows were allocated to treatments of three concentrate allotment levels before the evening grazing session by altering proportions to daily total offered; 25%, 50% and 75%. Daily herbage dry matter intake quadratically decreased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels (P < 0.05). Nitrogen utilization was similar among treatments. To investigate diurnal changes in rumen fermentation, a second experiment was conducted where six ruminally cannulated non‐lactating dairy cows grazed in the morning and evening sessions (3 h each) were subjected to the same treatments as experiment 1. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen linearly increased with increasing the concentrate allotment levels throughout the pre‐evening grazing session to the post‐morning grazing session (P < 0.01). The results indicate that dairy cows reduce daily herbage intake but do not alter nitrogen utilization with increasing concentrate allotment before evening grazing. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effect of feeding non-fibrous carbohydrate before grazing on intake and nitrogen utilization in dairy cows throughout the grazing season

Ten lactating cows were used to determine the effect of feeding non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) supplement before grazing on feed intake and nitrogen (N) utilization throughout a grazing season. The experiment was conducted from June to September. Cows grazed twice a day (2.5 h × 2) under a set stocking system and were fed NFC supplement (1 kg/4 kg of milk yield) 2 h before grazing (PRE) or immediately after grazing (POST). Cows were also fed a grass and corn silage mixture ad libitum. Herbage dry matter intake (DMI) was greater for PRE than for POST throughout the experiment and decreased from June to September. Conversely, silage DMI was less for PRE than for POST throughout the experiment and increased over the grazing season. Consequently, total DMI for PRE did not differ from that for POST. Milk urea-N concentration and urinary urea-N excretion in June did not differ between the treatments, whereas that after July was higher for PRE than for POST. Proportion of urinary N excretion to absorbed N intake in June was lower for PRE than for POST, but that after July was higher for PRE than for POST. Feeding NFC supplement before grazing would improve N utilization when cows eat large amounts of herbage high in N.     

Non-steady-state modeling of effects of timing and level of concentrate supplementation on ruminal pH and forage intake in high-producing, grazing ewes

A computer model was developed to predict responses of lactating ewes to concentrate supplementation, whether on pasture or stall-fed, given concentrate once per day or in multiple feedings, and suckling multiple lambs. The model considers effects of concentrate supplementation on organic acid production, saliva flow, ruminal pH, and forage intake. The user defines ewe BW, feed composition, and concentrate feeding times and amounts. The reference ewe has free access to forage and water. Upon consumption, forages and concentrates enter into lag pools for 2.0 and 0.24 h, respectively. Carbohydrates then enter ruminal pools of degradable fiber, undegradable fiber, or nonstructural carbohydrate, from which they are degraded or pass to the lower gut. Rapid dissociation of organic acids from carbohydrate fermentation and buffers from rumination are simulated to determine ruminal pH according to the Henderson-Hasselbach equation. The pH, in turn, affects fiber degradation rates. Forage intake continues during daylight hours until ruminal NDF exceeds 1.0% of BW, or organic acid concentration exceeds 130 mM. A circadian pattern of organic acid concentrations and pH of rumen contents with multiple concentrate feedings was simulated by the model with root mean square prediction error of 7.7 and 3.0 to 4.0% of the observed mean, respectively. However, ignoring fermentation of dietary protein may have caused an underestimation of organic acid production rates. The model predicted the increase in total DMI and the substitution effect on forage intake of increasing levels of concentrate supplementation. Simulations suggested that a single concentrate meal daily was best fed in the evening to minimize the substitution effect, and that there was no benefit in forage intake to feeding 2 kg/d concentrate in more than two meals per day.     

Effect of pasture allowance and supplementation with maize silage and concentrates differing in crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen excretion by dairy cows

Sixty cows (40 multiparous and 20 primiparous) averaging 140 days in milk (DIM) were assigned to five treatments to evaluate the effect of pasture allowance and supplements of a) maize silage b) high crude protein concentrate and, c) low crude protein concentrate on milk production and nitrogen (N) excretion. Two of the treatments (HG and LG) were offered herbage only (allowances of 20 and 15 kg dry matter (DM) per cow/day, respectively) while the remaining three treatments were offered a herbage allowance of 15 kg DM per cow/day plus 4 kg DM per cow/day of maize silage (M), a high CP concentrate (CP concentration of 194 g/kg DM) (HC), or citrus pulp (CP concentration of 69 g/kg DM) (LC). Total DM intake (DMI) was similar for HG, M, HC, and LC but was lower for LG (15.2 kg DM per cow/day) than HC (17.4 kg DM per cow/day). The reduction in pasture DMI per kg of supplement DM ingested was 0.44, 0.45, and 0.54 kg for cows offered maize silage, high CP concentrate, and low CP concentrate, respectively. Milk yield was greater for the supplemented treatments (23.7–24.7 kg/day) than for LG (20.7 kg/day) but not for HG (23.2 kg/day). Milk fat concentration was greater for HC (35.3 g/kg) than for HG, M, and LC but not greater than LG, while milk protein concentration was greater for HG (34.8 g/kg) than for LG and HC but not greater than M and LC. The greatest levels of N and PDIN intake were recorded for HG (662 and 2502 g/day) and HC (654 and 2506 g/day) which were greater than LC but not greater than LG and M. Treatment HC recorded the highest PDIE intake (1743 g/day) which was greater than LG, M and LC but not greater than HG. Output of N in milk was greater on HC (134 g/day) than on LG but was not greater than on HG, M, and LC. Faecal N excretion was greater on HG (171 g/day) than on all other treatments while estimated urinary N excretion was greater on HG and HC than LC (320 g/day). Treatment LC had a higher proportion of N output in milk (0.23) than treatment LG but not higher than HG, M and HC treatments. Urinary N expressed as a proportion of total N excretion was lower for HG (0.68) than all other treatments. The results of this study show that there is a large response in milk production to supplementing cows on a restricted grass allowance and that cows offered low CP supplements had similar levels of production to those offered high CP supplements. Nitrogen utilisation was improved by offering supplements of lower CP content.     

Influence of sward height, daily timing of concentrate supplementation, and restricted time for grazing on forage utilization by lactating beef cows

To establish the effect of sward height, concentrate feeding time, and restricted time for grazing on forage utilization by grazing cattle, 32 crossbred beef (24 Angus and eight Hereford) cows (632 kg BW) and calves (104 kg BW) were grouped by weight and calving date. They were assigned randomly to two sward height treatments (4 to 8 or 8 to 12 cm), replicated four times. The herbage comprised mainly Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass, some forbs, and white clover. The cows were restricted to 12 h/d grazing (0700 to 1900) or unrestricted to 24 h/d grazing and fed a concentrate supplement (4.1 kg DM.cow(-1).d(-1), approximately 0.65% of BW or 33% of total DMI) either at 0700 or 1800. The experiment was repeated over three 15-d periods in May, June/July, and August 2000. The herbage on high sward height pasture was higher (P = 0.06) in NDF and ADF and lower (P < 0.01) in CP than low sward height herbage. For cows restricted to 12 h/d grazing, supplementing at 0700 as opposed 1800 resulted in greater (P = 0.04) forage DMI (8.6 vs. 8.1 kg/d), whereas cows that were unrestricted showed little change (8.2 kg/d at 0700 vs. 8.4 kg/d at 1800). Supplementing at 1800 as opposed to 0700 resulted in greater (P = 0.03) herbage DM digestibility (67.7 vs. 64.5%) for cows on high sward height, whereas cows on low sward height exhibited minimal differences (65.4% at 1800 vs. 66.3% at 0700). Cows restricted to 12 h/d grazing and supplemented at 0700 as opposed to 1800 resulted in greater (P = 0.06) digestible DMI (5.0 vs. 4.7 kg/d), whereas unrestricted cows exhibited the opposite response (4.6 kg/d digestible DMI at 0700 vs. 4.9 kg/d at 1800). Supplementing at 1800 as opposed to 0700 increased the time spent grazing to a greater (P = 0.09) extent for restricted than for unrestricted cows. When forage availability or grazing time was limiting (due to a low forage allowance and restricted access to forage, respectively) supplementing concentrates at 0700 resulted in greater forage utilization and intake rate because of increased forage DMI, DM digestibility, and digestible DMI. However, when forage or grazing time was not limiting, supplementing concentrates at 1800 resulted in greater forage utilization because of increased forage DM digestibility.     

Evaluation of the effect of eprinomectin in young dairy heifers sub-clinically infected with gastrointestinal nematodes on grazing behaviour and diet selection

Inappetence is commonly associated with parasitism and has been observed in both housed and pastured ruminants. In seeking a functional explanation for these observations, it has been hypothesised that parasitized animals may feed more selectively in order to proportionally increase the protein content of their diet and thus partially compensate for their reduced feed intake. Support for this theory is found principally in studies in housed animals under carefully controlled experimental conditions. Grazing animals face a far more heterogeneous environment and a multiplicity of potentially confounding factors that could influence diet selection. Controlled grazing of adjacent monocultures of grass and clover can mitigate some of these variables and was used in the current study to examine the dietary preference of dairy heifers with sub-clinical parasitic gastroenteritis when compared to those receiving regular anthelmintic treatments. Grazing behaviour and herbage intake rates were determined through the use of jaw-movement recorders, direct observation and short-term liveweight change. Consistent with previous observations and despite evidence that nematode burdens were low in the untreated control heifers, a reduction in daily grazing time of 56 min (P = 0.054) was observed in the control animals. There was, however, no evidence that the control heifers showed greater preference for clover compared with ryegrass: partial preference for clover was 73.0% in the untreated controls and 75.5% in the treated heifers. Furthermore control heifers were observed grazing the clover swards significantly (P = 0.032) less frequently than the treated heifers. This study provides additional evidence in grazing cattle for parasite-induced inappetence, manifest as a reduction in grazing time and in subtle changes in ingestive behaviour. The observed partial preference for clover in both treated and control cattle was not significantly affected by the level of parasitism.     

不同季节叶施N、Fe肥对假俭草草坪品质的影响

在不同的季节对假俭草草坪叶施肥,表现为不同的提高品质的方式:春季叶施6 g/m2的N使草坪的盖度、密度、均一性增加;夏季叶施0.6 L/m2的Fe(EDTA-Fe)使草坪叶片变短变窄变厚,草坪自然降低0.5-0.8 cm,颜色深绿,也使草坪的根系分布范围扩大,增加了假俭草草坪的抗旱性;秋季叶施4g/m2N+0.6 L/m2Fe使草坪的青绿期延长15d.     

大豆黄酮对奶牛血清钙、磷及葡萄糖水平的影响

本研究选用40头胎次、产奶量、泌乳期相近的中国荷斯坦奶牛随机分成4组(n=10),试验组奶牛日粮中分别添加45、60和75mg/kg大豆黄酮,在试验前及试验开始后第10天、第20天和第30天颈静脉采血,测定4组奶牛血清钙、磷和葡萄糖水平。结果表明:与对照组相比较,试验1组中血清钙、磷和葡萄糖变化均不显著(P>0.05);试验2组仅血清钙在第30天时显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验3组第10天和20天时血清钙水平显著高于对照组(P<0.05),第30天时血清钙水平极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而血糖水平仅第30天显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。     

Restricting access time at pasture and time of grazing allocation for Holstein dairy cows: Ingestive behaviour,dry matter intake and milk production

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of restricting access time to pasture and time of grazing allocation on grazing behaviour, daily dry matter intake (DMI), rumen fermentation, milk production and composition in dairy cows. Twenty-one autumn-calving Holstein cows were assigned to one of the following 3 treatments: providing access to a daily strip of pasture for either 8 h between 07:00 and 15:00 h (T7–15), 4 h between 07:00 and 11:00 h (T7–11), or 4 h between 11:00 and 15:00 h (T11–15). The experimental period consisted of 3 weeks of adaptation and 6 weeks of measurements. Cows were offered a daily herbage allowance of 18 kg DM/cow to ground level, 6.1 kg DM/day of a ground sorghum grain-based supplement and 5.2 kg DM/day of maize silage. Milk yield was greater for cows with 8 h access time to the pasture (25.4 vs. 24.1 for 8 and 4 h access time, respectively). Milk yield was not different between cows that access early (T7–11) or late (T11–15) to the grazing session. Milk protein yield was greater for cows with 8 h access time (0.75 kg/d) vs. 4 h access time treatments (0.72 kg/d). Cows with late access time to grazing in the morning produce more protein (0.74 kg/d) than cows with early access to the pasture (0.70 kg/d). Duration of access had a significant effect on herbage DMI (8.3 vs. 6.6 kg/d, for 8 and 4 h access, respectively), but there was no significant effect of time of grazing allocation. Intakes of concentrate and maize silage DM did not differ between treatments.     

The effects of calcium,phosphorus and zinc supplementation on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows in Tanzania

The effects of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on reproductive performance of grazing dairy cows was studied. Forty-eight cows in their first to third parity were allocated to eight groups of 6 animals each, based on stage of lactation and milk yield. Groups 1 (control), 2 (Ca), 3 (P) and 4 (Zn) received, respectively, no mineral supplement, 10 g Ca, 8 g P and 400 mg Zn. The rest of the groups received a combination of Ca/P, Ca/Zn, P/Zn or Ca/P/Zn. Animals were drenched daily. Ovarian activity was determined by progesterone concentrations in milk. Prepartum body condition score (BCS) measured using scale 1–5 was 2.5–3.5. Reproductive problems were observed in all groups except that supplemented with Ca. Cows supplemented with Ca, P, Ca/P, Ca/Zn and Ca/P/Zn had significantly (p < 0.05) shorter interval (30 days) from calving to resumption of oestrus as compared to control (69 days). Intervals from calving to conception and between calvings did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05), but were shorter in Ca-supplemented cows. Furthermore, cows in groups 2 and 3 needed an average of 2 services per conception against 3 for cows in other groups. Hence, supplementation with Ca, P and Zn of deficient dairy cows appears to improve reproductive performance.     

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and animal level risk factors for indigenous cattle under different grazing strategies in the livestock/wildlife interface areas of Zambia

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and animal level risk factors for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in indigenous cattle of the livestock/wildlife interface areas in Zambia. A total of 944 cattle from 111 herds were investigated. The comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT) was used to identify reactor animals for BTB. Animal level data on sex, age, parity and body condition score were registered. The overall animal prevalence of BTB as determined by the CIDT was 6.8% (95% CI: 4.2, 9.5%). In Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon areas, animal level prevalence were observed at 5.2% (95% CI: 2.2, 8.2%) and 9.6% (95% CI: 6.1, 13.2%), respectively. Kazungula, an area outside the livestock/wildlife interface, had a prevalence of only 0.8% (95% CI: 0.0, 2.3%). The age of the animal, its body condition score and the type of management system, were predictive of its BTB status. The study revealed that BTB was relatively high in the livestock/wildlife interface areas of Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon compared to Kazungula. These findings should raise a serious public health concern considering the extent to which the communities of the study areas are in contact with their animals and the levels at which they use untreated milk.     

Effect of herbage allowance and concentrate supplementation on dry matter intake, milk production and energy balance of early lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of daily herbage allowance and concentrate supplementation level offered at approximately 40 and 80 days in milk (DIM) and the carryover effects at 120 DIM on the production performance of spring calving dairy cows. Sixty-six (30 primiparous and 36 multiparous) Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (mean calving date — 7 Feb ± 9.9 days) were randomly assigned to a 6 treatment (n = 11) grazing study. The experiment was a randomised block design with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (3 daily herbage allowances (DHA's; approximately 13, 16 and 19 kg DM/cow/day; > 4 cm) and 2 concentrate allowances (0 and 4 kg DM/day). Treatments were imposed from 21 February to 8 May. Following this period (subsequent 4-weeks) animals were offered a daily herbage allowance of 20 kg DM/cow/day and no concentrate. Milk production, total dry matter intake (TDMI), energy balance (EB) and blood metabolites were measured on three occasions — at approximately 40, 80 and 120 days in milk, R1, R2 and the carryover period, respectively. Cows offered a low DHA had a lower post-grazing sward height but increased sward utilisation (> 4 cm) during R1 and R2, there was no difference during the carryover period. Concentrate supplementation increased post-grazing sward height by 11% during R2 but had no effect during R1 and the carryover period. Daily herbage allowance had no effect on milk yield or composition during R1 however a low DHA tended to reduce milk yield in R2. Concentrate supplementation increased milk and solids corrected milk (SCM) yield by 4.1 and 2.8 kg/cow/day, respectively during R1 and also increased R2 milk production performance, this effect extended into the carryover period. Offering a low DHA restricted grass dry matter intake (DMI) during R1 and R2 yet concentrate supplementation significantly increased total DMI (2.3 (R1) and 3.0 (R2) kg DM/cow). Animals offered a low DHA had a significantly lower bodyweight (BW) than those offered a medium or high DHA during P1 and P2. Concentrate supplementation increased BW during P1 and P2 (+ 9 and + 14 kg/cow, respectively). There was no effect of treatment on BW during P3. There was no effect of DHA on EB in R1; during R2 animals offered a low DHA had the lowest EB. Concentrate significantly increased EB in R1 and R2 and increased plasma glucose concentration while it decreased plasma NEFA and BHB concentrations. The results of this study indicate that animals should be offered a low DHA up to 80 DIM after which DHA should be increased however animals should also be supplemented with concentrate during the early post-partum period.     

叶施N、N+Fe对假俭草扦插成活及成坪速度的影响

试验用不同浓度的N对假俭草插穗进行浸泡处理后,观测插穗的外观反映,并通过测定生根时间、生根长度、生根数量,说明用4%的尿素溶液处理能使假俭草插穗的成活率提高24%,过高的浓度使插穗出现中毒症状;而4%的尿素与Fe溶液共同处理后,插穗的成活率可提高32%。在假俭草幼坪上叶施不同浓度的N、N+Fe,通过测定茎的生长速度、分蘖情况,说明叶施合适的N、N+Fe可以加速假俭草草坪的成坪速度,并且提高草坪的外在品质,也提高了假俭草的活力和抗逆性。     

The effect of concentrate level and concentrate composition on the performance of growing dairy heifers reared and finished for beef production

Abstract

The objectives of the study with growing dairy heifers were to determine the effects on animal performance of (1) concentrate level and (2) the concentrate composition in the grass silage-based diet. Animals (30 heifers) were randomly assigned to three feeding treatments: (1) low level (1.75 kg dry matter (DM)/d) of rolled barley (LB); (2) low level (1.75 kg DM/d) of commercial pelleted concentrate (LC); and (3) medium level (3.5 kg DM/d) of commercial pelleted concentrate (MC). All animals were also offered grass silage and hay. The commercial concentrate contained more crude protein than barley grain (135 g/kg DM vs. 205 g/kg DM). The data were analysed using analysis of variance and differences between the treatments were tested by orthogonal contrasts: LC vs. MC and LB vs. LC. The growth of the heifers increased and carcass conformation improved with increasing concentrate level. Commercial concentrate did not improve animal performance compared with barley grain.     

胡萝卜对奶牛产奶量及乳成分的影响

试验通过在产奶牛日粮中添加胡萝卜,研究胡萝卜不同饲喂量对舍饲奶牛的奶产量和乳成分的影响。试验牛选用中国荷斯坦奶牛,体重500~600 kg,胎次为头胎、泌乳100 d左右的健康荷斯坦奶牛30头,采用完全随机区组设计,分为3个处理组,试验1组为对照组(基础日粮),试验2组(基础日粮+5 kg胡萝卜)、试验3组(基础日粮+7.5 kg胡萝卜)为试验组,基础日粮由全株青贮玉米、羊草和精料组成。研究结果显示,奶牛在添加胡萝卜后能够显著提高产奶量,90 d后试验2组的产奶量比对照组提高了11.94%(P<0.05),试验3组的产奶量比对照组提高了16.17%(P<0.05),牛奶的风味也得到很大的改善。     

Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effects of two ruminally degradable protein (RDP) levels in diets containing similar ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) and metabolizable protein (MP) concentrations on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and transfer of ruminal ammonia N into milk protein in dairy cows. Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were allocated to two dietary treatments in a crossover design. The diets (adequate RDP [ARDP] and high RDP [HRDP]), had similar concentrations of RUP and MP, but differed in CP/RDP content. Ruminal ammonia was labeled with 15N and secretion of tracer in milk protein was determined for a period of 120 h. Ammonia concentration in the rumen tended to be greater (P = 0.06) with HRDP than with ARDP. Microbial N flow to the duodenum, ruminal digestibility of dietary nutrients, DMI, milk yield, fat content, and protein content and yield were not statistically different between diets. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for increased urinary N excretion, and blood plasma and milk urea N concentrations were greater (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively) with HRDP compared with ARDP. Milk N efficiency was decreased (P = 0.01) by the HRDP diet. The cumulative secretion of ammonia 15N into milk protein, as a proportion of 15N dosed intraruminally, was greater (P = 0.003) with ARDP than with HRDP. The proportions of bacterial protein originating from ammonia N and milk protein originating from bacterial or ammonia N averaged 43, 61, and 26% and were not affected by diet. This experiment indicated that excess RDP in the diet of lactating dairy cows could not be efficiently utilized for microbial protein synthesis and was largely lost through urinary N excretion. At a similar MP supply, increased CP or RDP concentration of the diet would result in decreased efficiency of conversion of dietary N into milk protein and less efficient use of ruminal ammonia N for milk protein syntheses.