Holstein Friesians,Dutch Friesians and Dutch Red and Whites on two complete diets with a different amount of roughage: Differences in performance between first and second lactation

Groups of 11 Holstein Friesian (HF), 11 Dutch Red and White (DRW) and 12 Dutch Friesian (DF) second calved cows were fed a complete diet with only roughage (a mixture of grass- and corn-silage) or the same mixture of roughage with 50% concentrates on a dry matter basis. The animals had participated in the same experiment during their first lactation.For none of the characteristics was a significant breed-feed composition interaction found. The differences between breeds in feed intake, milk production, body weight and gain were equal with both feed compositions.The breeds differed significantly in the increase in milk, fat and protein yield from the first to the second lactation. This increase was 902, 194 and 103 kg milk, 46, 16 and 5 kg fat and 27, 1 and 3 kg protein for the HF, DRW and DF animals, respectively. The body weight gain of the concentrates group in the second lactation was much less than in the first lactation.For the HF animals, 55% of total energy intake was used for milk yield, 37% for maintenance and 8% for gain; corresponding values for the DRW animals were 48, 41 and 11%, respectively, and for the DF animals 44, 37 and 19%, respectively. For the concentrates group, this partition was 51, 36 and 13%, respectively, and for the roughage group 47, 41 and 13%, respectively.     

Differences in feed intake between holstein Friesian,Dutch Red and White and Dutch Friesian cattle

In a comparison of Holstein Friesian (HF) from North America with Dutch Red and Whites (DRW) and Dutch Friesians (DF), the feed intake of 20 animals per breed was measured at different stages of lactation and at different ages. In the experiments with dairy cows, the animals were offered concentrates individually according to their milk yield. In all experiments roughage (silage or hay) was offered ad libitum.In all experiments the DRW animals ate less roughage than the HF and DF animals, although they ate the lowest amount of concentrates in nearly all experiments, due to their lower milk yield. The HF animals were offered more concentrates than the DF animals, but ate the same amount of roughage.     

A comparison of holstein friesians,Dutch friesians and dutch red and whites. I. Production characteristics

Production characteristics of purebred Holstein Friesians (HF), Dutch Friesians (DF) and Dutch Red and Whites (DRW) were compared to determine the genetic differences between the three breeds under Dutch production systems. In the first, second, and subsequent lactations, HF animals produced, respectively, 18.8, 20.7 and 18.8% more milk and 10.5, 11.1 and 9.8% more fat and protein than the DF animals. The DRW animals produced 7.3, 7.0 and 6.4% less milk and 7.2, 7.1 and 5.9% less fat and protein in the first three lactations, respectively, than the DF animals.In beef and veal production the HF animals had a slightly less efficient conversion of feed to gain than the DF animals, but the feed conversion of the DRW was better than that of the DF animals. Slaughter quälity traits (dressing percentage and fleshiness) were lowest for the HF animals in all slaughter categories and highest for the DRW animals. Carcass weights averaged 305 kg for HF cows, 285 kg for DF cows and 297 kg for DRW cows. For the HF, DF and DRW cows, percentages of calves born alive were, respectively, 88.6, 93.9 and 87.0%; birth weights were, respectively, 42.7, 36.2 and 39.2 kg; days of pregnancy were, respectively, 282.2, 276.9 and 278.0; and inseminations per pregnancy were respectively, 1.91, 1.55 and 1.59. Other averages for HF, DF and DRW were, respectively, age at first calving 778, 748 and 759 days; first calving interval 400, 370 and 387 days; and later calving intervals 389, 374 and 381 days. Significant differences in disease frequencies and reasons for calling were observed between the breeds.     

Differences in mastitis susceptibility between Holstein Friesian, Dutch Friesian and Dutch Red and White cows

Summary On an experimental farm 3 dairy breeds were compared with regard to mastitis by various parameters. Higher cell counts and more udder infections were present in the Dutch Red and White (DRW) in comparison with the Holstein Friesian (HF) and the Dutch Friesian (DF). Within the HF breed a negative correlation between cell count and production was established and also in this breed, a negative correlation between maximum rate of milk flow and cell count. There is no evidence that higher procuction and easier milking are connected with more mastitis. On the contrary, within the breeds an opposite trend appeared. Selection against mastitis does not conflict with selection for production and ease of milking. An addition trial revealed that sampling after too quick preparation of the cows before milking resulted in much higher cell counts in quarter samples. Cows which were selected for drying off with antibiotics recovered from their infection but these more susceptible animals maintained a higher cell count to a certain extent.     

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.     

Differences in mastitis susceptibility between Holstein Friesian,Dutch Friesian and Dutch Red and White cows

Summary

On an experimental farm 3 dairy breeds were compared with regard to mastitis by various parameters.

Higher cell counts and more udder infections were present in the Dutch Red and White (DRW) in comparison with the Holstein Friesian (HF) and the Dutch Friesian (DF). Within the HF breed a negative correlation between cell count and production was established and also in this breed, a negative correlation between maximum rate of milk flow and cell count.

There is no evidence that higher procuction and easier milking are connected with more mastitis. On the contrary, within the breeds an opposite trend appeared. Selection against mastitis does not conflict with selection for production and ease of milking.

An addition trial revealed that sampling after too quick preparation of the cows before milking resulted in much higher cell counts in quarter samples.

Cows which were selected for drying off with antibiotics recovered from their infection but these more susceptible animals maintained a higher cell count to a certain extent.     

Heterosis effects in a black and white dairy cattle population under different production environments

The effect of the environmental level of production (ENV) on the expression of heterosis for 305-day milk, fat, protein, and fat plus protein (FP) yields, lactation average somatic cell score (LSCS), and age at first calving (AFC) was investigated in first lactation Black and White dairy cows in the Netherlands, and officially enrolled in the Dutch herd-book. Holstein Friesian (HF), Dutch Friesian (DF), and first generation (F₁) crosses obtained from the mating of HF sires and DF dams (HD) were involved in the study, and data from animals with a calving date between 1990 and 2000 were used. A total of 22,930 cows with production and AFC information distributed in 3549 herds and 11,055 cows with LSCS information distributed in 2071 herds, were available. Adjusted lactation yield of milk for each herd was obtained using a model that accounted for fixed effects of herd, year and month of calving, genotype, and AFC. The overall mean of all adjusted data was computed, and 3 ENV were defined on the basis of the overall mean ± 0.5 standard deviations. Once ENV was defined, traits were analysed with a model that included fixed effects of ENV, herd nested within ENV, AFC (only production traits and LSCS), year and month of calving, genotype, and the interaction between ENV and genotype. Least squares means for the interaction effect were used to estimate heterosis and to evaluate its magnitude across ENV. Holstein Friesian achieved higher productions than DF. First generation crosses showed productions close to HF, especially in the low ENV. Estimates of heterosis for yield traits ranged from 2.4% (milk) in the high to 5.3% (fat) in the low ENV, and reduced with increasing ENV. Estimates for LSCS and AFC were low, with the exception of LSCS in the high ENV. Results suggest that the highest non-additive genetic effects for yield traits and LSCS were expressed in the most stressful ENV, i.e., the low one for production and the high one for LSCS.     

Effect of silage:Concentrate ratio on feed intake,growth rate and subsequent milk yield of early calving heifers

The influence of silage:concentrate ratio (energy concentration) on voluntary feed intake, growth rate, feed utilization, reproduction and subsequent milk yield in early calving dairy heifers was examined. Forty-eight heifers of the breed Black and White were divided into four groups fed clover—grass silage and concentrates ad libitum in the ratios 100:0, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 of Scandinavian feed units (Sc.f.u.).Below 200 kg liveweight the daily intake of dry matter increased with increasing level of concentrates. Above 200 kg there were no significant differences in dry matter intake. As a consequence of the energy concentration of the rations (70, 78, 89 and 96 Sc.f.u. per 100 kg dry matter), the intake of net energy increased with the amount of concentrates, and consequently the daily gain increased. The increase in daily gain with concentrate level decreased with increasing liveweight.Puberty always occurred at the same liveweight, whereas age at first oestrus decreased with increasing content of concentrates in the ration offered ad libitum. This was reflected in a lowering of the age at first calving from 23.9 to 20.2 months. There was no significant difference in average milk yield in the first lactation. The milk yield was relatively low in all groups, and possible explanations for this depression are discussed.     

The effect of herd characteristics on claw disorders and claw measurements in Friesians

Effects of management and herd characteristics on claw disorders and claw measurements were studied. Data were collected on Friesian heifers in 81 herds with freestalls. Disorders were sole lesions (pododermatitis) and infections (dermatitis interdigitalis).The least squares means for herd effects from genetic analyses were analysed for effects of management factors: level of concentrates, days required to reach maximum level of concentrates after calving, ration components, herd production average and formalin footbath. Herd characteristics involved with claws were also studied: housing before and after calving and pasturing.Correlations among disorders and measurements at the herd level were low. Disorders were only affected by the barn floor type after calving. An increase in concentrates and the use of a formalin footbath were associated with longer claws. Cows housed on a combination of a slatted and a flat floor after calving (nearly all outside feeding systems) had shorter claws. Deeper heels were found in herds feeding a high amount of concentrates and in herds with high production averages.Managemental and environmental factors have to be studied in detail under field conditions before their effects can be clarified.     

Adjustment of lactation yield for age at calving in relation to level of production

The influence of age at calving on 305-day milk, fat and protein yield in relation to herd and population level of production was investigated and a procedure for age adjustment was derived.Age differences were estimated by a repeatability model for 49 669 complete 305-day lactation records (kg milk, kg fat and kg protein) from 27 965 Dutch Friesian cows calving between 1 June 1979 and 31 May 1982. Several mathematical functions were applied to the estimated age differences. The best fit was by a second degree polynomial for Lactations 1 and 2 separately (R² ⩾ 0.995) and a linear function including the log of age at calving for third and later lactations (R²=0.967).One set of adjustment factors was found to apply to all herd levels of production. However, age adjustment factors were different from those found by Dommerholt (1975) where the population level was about 1000 kg milk lower. A more accurate age adjustment would be obtained by updating the mean production of heifers at 24 months of age and using mathematical functions for computation of age factors.     

A comparison of holstein friesians,Dutch friesians and Dutch red and whites. II. Economic synthesis with different pricing systems for milk and meat

The influences of different milk and meat prices on the economic differences between Holstein Friesians from North America (HF), Dutch Friesians (DF) and Dutch Red and Whites (DRW) were studied. The basic biological data came from a within-herd comparison of the three breeds. Milk prices used were as follows: M₁ was the current price in The Netherlands (negative price for the volume of milk), in M₂, the penalty for the volume of milk was zero; in M₃, the current penalty was doubled; in M₄ the net price for 1 kg milk was 20% lower, and in M₅ the net milk price was 20% higher. Meat prices in S₁ were the prices based on the actual situation; in S₂ there was no payment for differences in slaughter quality between cows and calves; in S₃ the premium payment for higher slaughter quality was doubled; in S₄ the meat prices were 20% lower and in S₅ the meat prices were 20% higher. The economic differences between the HF and the DF varied from +Dfl. 141 (M₂S₂) to –Dfl. 95 (M₃S₃). Differences between the HF and the DRW were from +Dfl. 263 (M₂S₂) to – Dfl. 93 (M₃S₃). Differences between the DF and the DRW varied from +Dfl. 142 (M₃S₂) to – Dfl. 13 (M₄S₃). These results indicate that no breed was economically superior to all other breeds under all pricing systems. The relative economic advantage or disadvantage of a breed is strictly a function of relative prices for milk and meat.     

Relationship between milk composition and some nutritional parameters in early lactation

Ten sets of data from four experiments with individual measurements on 236 cows for one to four weeks in each of second and third months of lactation were used to determine relationships between milk composition and nutritional parameters. Effects of breed and parity of cow as well as experimental rations were removed in analysis. The estimated balance between energy intake and energy requirement for milk and maintenance was calculated from intake of roughage and concentrates together with their chemical composition and in vitro digestibility, milk yield and milk composition. Adjusted mean estimated energy balances ranged from −17.65 to 14.35 MJ NE_ℓ per day; dry matter intake from 16.1 to 20.1 kg per day and % dietary roughage from 36.6 to 67.5% across data sets. Mean milk fat % was between 3.76 and 4.11% while milk protein % was 2.79–3.15% across data sets. Dry matter intake and % dietary roughage explained relatively small amounts of variation in milk fat %, protein % or the ratio of these two components after effects of ration were removed in data analysis. Estimated energy balance was negatively correlated with milk fat % (−0.07 to −0.65), positively correlated with milk protein % (0.12 to 0.47) and negatively correlated with ratio of milk fat to protein (−0.36 to −0.74) across data sets. Estimated energy balance increased the proportion of explained variation of fat:protein ratio by an average 21% to a total of 43%. In the reverse situation, fat to protein ratio increased coefficients of determination of energy balance by 19 to 52%. The ratio of contents of milk fat and protein was a more sensitive and consistent indicator of changes in nutritional variables and also a better predictor of energy status of the cow than either component by itself.     

Influence of the composition of the ration and the feeding frequency on ph-regulation in the rumen and on feed in-take in ruminants

The author illustrates that a certain ratio between roughage and concentrates in the rations of dairy cows is necessary rather than depending exclusively on an increase of the amounts of concentrates for meeting the energy requirements at higher levels of production. In general, when lactation performance is high, merely the essential supply of concentrates entails a decrease of milk fat content, or, with an insufficient energy supply, the milk protein content drops. These relations are explained by a diagram on protein fermentation and bacterial protein synthesis.Higher feeding frequency allows higher intake of concentrates without a decrease of pH in the rumen. Hence the ratio of C₂:C₃ (acetic: propionic acid) in the rumen tends towards 3:1 instead of lower ratios, which prevents a decrease of milk fat content. The higher cellulolytic activity at the higher pH leads to higher intake of roughage. With automated systems for higher feeding frequencies it will be possible to increase milk production without decrease of milk fat content and other metabolic disorders. The better energy supply will lead to a better supply of microbial protein as well and therefore prevent a decrease in milk protein content.     

Feeding dairy calves and replacement heifers in South-western Sweden: a survey

Daily feed rations, their nutrient contents and live weight gains were recorded for calves and replacement heifers from birth to calving in 122 Swedish dairy herds. Preweaned calves were fed whole milk (45% of the herds), milk replacer alone or milk replacer combined with whole milk. Calf starters were the most frequently used concentrates for preweaned calves, whereas grain dominated for weaned calves and heifers. Grain was supplemented with protein concentrates until 6 months of age and at calving. Grass/clover hay was the dominant forage for preweaned calves, whereas grass/clover silage alone or in combination with hay was the most common forage for calves and replacement heifers from 6 months of age. Heifers grazed semi-natural grasslands, leys or a combination of semi-natural grasslands and leys in 33, 15 and 52% of the herds, respectively. According to Swedish recommendations, calves in a majority of the herds were fed too low concentrations of crude protein from weaning to 6 months of age and calves were fed too low a metabolizable energy content inadequate for a daily weight gain of 700 g at weaning. Median live weight gain from birth to calving was only 567 g per day. Correct feed ration formulations and strategic grazing management could be means to increase weight gain and hence to decrease rearing costs of calves and replacement heifers in Swedish dairy herds.     

Relative calving date of first-calf heifers as related to production efficiency and subsequent reproductive performance

Relative date of first calving of beef heifers was studied in relation to production efficiency and subsequent reproductive performance. Crossbred heifers were managed in a drylot environment for 1 yr with feed intake measured through weaning of the first calf. Mean heifer age at entry into drylot was 572 d. Production traits were evaluated by calving group (CG), where CG1 included records of heifers calving (and calves born) in the first 21 d of the calving season for a particular year, CG2 included those calving from 22 through 42 d and CG3 included those calving after 42 d. Calving groups did not differ significantly for preweaning calf ADG, but weaning age differences resulted in heavier weaning weights for CG1 compared with CG2 and CG3. An earlier relative calving date was associated with increased cumulative feed energy intake of heifers and their calves during the 1-yr test period. In terms of production efficiency, the weaning weight advantage of earlier calving was offset only partly by the increased feed energy intake of the dam-calf unit, resulting in 6.3 Mcal (12.4%) less ME per kg calf weaning weight for CG1 vs CG3 for the 1-yr period. Within a limited calving season, earlier calving dams tended to be biologically and economically more efficient because a greater proportion of their annual production cycle was in a productive (lactating) mode, diluting maintenance costs as a fraction of all costs. Heifers in CG1 also tended to calve earlier than CG3 heifers for the second calf. Calving interval was a biased measure under the management conditions of a limited breeding season and culling of open cows.     

Effect of dietary energy on milk production and metabolic hormones in thin, primiparous beef heifers

Thirty-six primiparous heifers were used to determine the effect of dietary energy on postpartum interval, milk production, serum concentrations of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), growth hormone, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of neuropeptide-Y (NPY). Low-quality hay was fed during the last trimester of pregnancy to achieve suboptimal calving weight (370 +/- 5 kg) and condition score (4.0 +/- .1). After calving, cows were allotted to one of four dietary treatments that differed in metabolizable energy. Experimental diets were fed at 2.5% of shrunk body weight and formulated to provide 1.8 (low), 2.1 (maintenance), 2.4 (maintenance high), or 2.7 (high) Mcal of ME/kg DM. Daily milk production was estimated at approximately 30, 60, and 90 d postpartum. Condition score change and weight change were defined as change from calving to d 90 postpartum. As energy intake increased, condition score change (P < .001), IGF-I (P < .001) and insulin (P < .01) increased and postpartum interval decreased (P = .04). No relationship existed between postpartum interval and CSF concentration of NPY (P > .1). Condition score change was positively associated with IGF-I and insulin (r = .71, P < .001; r = .38, P = .02, respectively) and negatively associated with GH (r = -.67, P < .001). Weight change and serum concentrations of GH did not differ (P > .10) among treatments. Increasing dietary energy intake was associated with a curvilinear increase in milk yield (P = .04) and percentage milk fat (P = .03) and a linear increase (P = .04) in energy available for milk production. Greater milk yield at d 30 was associated with a longer postpartum interval (r = .34, P < .05). In conclusion, a greater proportion of net energy is partitioned to maternal tissue realimentation when cows receive high compared to low-, maintenance-, or moderate-energy diets.     

Effects of urea treatment of straw and dietary level of vegetable oil on lactating dairy cows

Four crossbreds (75% Holstein Friesian) lactating dairy cows were used to evaluate the effects of sunflower oil (SFO) levels and roughage source on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk composition. Four milking cows with average liveweight of 410 ± 25 kg and 18 ± 11 days in milk were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with SFO levels (3% or 6%) in the concentrate and the roughage source [rice straw (RS) or urea-treated RS (UTRS)] being the main factors. Four dietary treatments as (1) 3% SFO + RS, (2) 6% SFO + RS, (3) 3% SFO + UTRS, and (4) 6% SFO + UTRS were offered ad libitum total mixed ration, with a concentrate/roughage ratio of 60:40. The results were found that UTRS as a roughage source significantly increased feed intake, digestibility, concentration of acetic acid in rumen fluid, rumen ammonia–nitrogen, blood–urea nitrogen, milk urea–nitrogen, and milk yield (3.5% fat-corrected milk) compared with cows fed on untreated RS. Supplementation of SFO at 3% in the concentrate-supplemented group having increased dry matter intake, milk fat percentage, and milk yield (3.5% fat-corrected milk) compared with 6% SFO supplementation. However, there were no interaction effects between level of SFO in the concentrate and roughage source in any of the factors studied.     

Changes in the feed intake, pH and osmolality of rumen fluid, and the position of the abomasum of eight dairy cows during a diet-induced left displacement of the abomasum

During the last six weeks of the dry period, eight Holstein-Friesian cows were fed a restricted amount of grass silage; after calving, a mixture of maize silage and concentrates was offered in a feeding regimen designed to induce a displacement of the abomasum. In the first month after calving, the cows were monitored for the following variables: feed intake and composition, milk production, the position of the abomasum, and the pH and osmolality of the rumen contents. In five of the eight cows, a left displacement of the abomasum occurred between four and 21 days after calving in the absence of other diseases. The displacement was temporary, lasting between five and 36 consecutive hours and one or two days in two of the cows (floaters), and for three or more days in the other three. Before these three cows developed the displacement, their abomasum was 4.3 to 7.9 cm higher, its contents had a higher mean osmolality (+19.2 mosmol/kg), and the ratio of roughage to concentrates in their feed was lower (-0.87) than in the three cows that did not develop clinical signs of a displaced abomasum. There were no significant differences in these variables between the floaters and the healthy cows.     

Breed and crossbreeding effects in a crossing experiment between dutch friesian and holstein friesian cattle

In the second generation of a crossbreeding experiment with Holstein Friesian bulls and Dutch Friesian cows the difference in additive genetic merits between Holstein Friesian and Dutch Friesian bulls (a), the heterotic effects (d) and the maternal effects (m) were calculated from the mean values of the four subpopulations with 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% Holstein Friesian genes. Significant a effects were found for milk yield, fat percentage, fat yield, protein yield, fleshiness (beef bulls and veal calves), fat covering (beef bulls), dressing percentage (veal calves), birth weight, percentage of calving difficulties and gestation period. A significant d effect was found for fat covering (beef bulls). For dressing percentage (veal calves), for the percentage of calving difficulties and of retained placenta, significant m effects were calculated.     

Health, welfare and fertility implications of the use of bovine somatotropin in dairy cattle

Twenty-two Friesian and Friesian cross Ayrshire cows and 16 first lactation heifers were paired. Twenty were injected subcutaneously with 500 mg recombinant bovine somatotropin (sometribove) and 18 with a placebo at fortnightly intervals, starting 80 (+/- 7) days after calving, through the winter of 1986-87. The cows' weights and changes in condition, milk yields, milk solids, health and fertility were recorded regularly. Compound cake was fed at a fixed stepped rate according to the number of days since the cow calved. Silage was available on an easy-feed basis. Ten cows had their daily silage intake measured. Sometribove treated cows produced on average 27.7 kg of milk per day, 4.5 kg more than the controls. Treated heifers produced 23.5 kg per day, 2.5 kg more than the controls. Milk quality was unchanged. Treated cows gained weight during the trial, but not by as much as the controls. Control heifers also gained weight but the treated heifers lost, on average, 3 kg. Local reactions at the injection site were not felt to be of welfare concern, nor was the general effect of the extra milk production. A small number of treated animals experienced mastitis and had poorer fertility but the differences were mostly not statistically significant. If bovine somatotropin should become licensed for use in Britain it is recommended that clear guidelines should be issued on the management practices necessary for economic success and for the welfare of the treated animals.