Productive and reproductive performance of strategically supplemented free grazing prepartum Bunaji cows in the agropastoral farming system

The effects of prepartum supplementary feeding on the productive and reproductive performance were investigated using grazing gestating Bunaji cows with an average initial body weight of 294.50 ± 3.75 kg. Twenty cows were allocated to a completely randomized design, with five animals per treatment. The treatments were: A, range grazing (RG); B, RG + 100% corn bran (CB); C, RG + 60% CB + 40% palm kernel cake (PKC), and D, RG + 60% CB + 40% dried brewer’s grains (DBG). The average daily gains (ADG) and body condition scores (BCS) of supplemented cows were significantly better than the non-supplemented cows. Postpartum weight loss was markedly reduced in supplemented cows compared to their non-supplemented counterparts. Mean milk offtake and mean milk yield per lactation were significantly lower in non-supplemented cows than the supplemented ones. Among the supplemented cows, ADG, BCS, mean milk offtake and milk yield per lactation were significantly better for cows on treatments C and D than those on treatment B. Though insignificant, longest lactation length (LL) and shortest calving interval were obtained for supplemented cows. Calf’s birth weight was similar among the treatments. Milk yield was significantly influenced (R² = 0.8601) by cow’s weight, BCS and LL.     

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.     

奶牛复合酶制剂FE907对泌乳早期奶牛生产性能和经济效益的影响

目的:研究酶制剂对泌乳奶牛生产性能和疾病的影响.方法:选取28头泌乳荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2组,每组14头.2组奶牛在全混合日粮上分别添加0、20 g/(头·d)复合酶制剂FE907,实验期4周.结果:实验组奶牛日均产乳量提高了1.6 kg/d(P＞0.05);实验组乳脂率比对照组提高0.08％,乳脂量提高0.09 kg/d,差异显著(P＜0.05),乳蛋白率提高0.06％,乳蛋白量提高0.07 kg/d,经济效益每天每头奶牛比对照组多盈利6.28元.结论:奶牛日粮中添加20 g/(头·d)的奶牛复合酶制剂FE907,可以提高产乳量,改善乳成分,提高经济效益,同时,可以在一定程度上降低患乳房炎的风险.     

Studies with ammonized straw pellets used as a sole basal diet in the feeding of ruminants. 1. Feeding trials with dairy cows fed ammonized straw pellets as a sole basal diet]

Feeding trials were performed with two groups of dairy cows receiving ammonized straw pellets supplemented with varying levels of concentrates as sole basal diet. The trials were carried out over periods of 546 days and 120 days. An annual milk production of 4217.9 kgs (calculated on the basis of 3.5% of milk fat) per cow was achieved in group I by feeding 3060.6 kgs of straw pellets and 2014.7 kgs of concentrates per animal. After subtracting all additives an amount of 2641.1 kgs of pure straw (= 52%) and of 2434.2 kgs of concentrated food (= 48%) remained so that the resulting amount of dry feed consumed per 100 kg of milk was 120.3 kg. A total of 6309.6 kgs of milk was produced per cow over a period of 546 days of trial. During this period the average weight gain per cow was 98.4 kgs. 1517.3 kgs of milk (calculated on the basis of 3.5% milk fat) per cow were produced in group II (56 cows) over a period of 105 days by feeding 892.5 kgs of straw pellets and 682.5 kgs of concentrate pellets. The concentrate pellets contained 50% of ammonized dried sugar beet chips but not extracted meals.     

A novel nutritional strategy to prevent milk fever and stimulate milk production in dairy cows

AIMS: To assess the efficacy of a feed supplement designed to reduce the dietary availability of calcium when fed during the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy, on the incidence of postparturient hypocalcaemia (milk fever) and on milksolids (MS) production in pasture-fed dairy cows in early lactation. METHODS: In Experiment 1, late-pregnant Holstein/Friesian cows, 4-10 years old, grazing pasture, were either fed the supplement (1 kg/cow/day) for 2-4 weeks prior to calving (n=11) or no supplement (n=10). Plasma calcium concentrations were measured immediately before and after a 20 h fast intended to induce hypocalcaemia at the end of this period, 1-7 days before the cows calved. In Experiment 2, mixed-breed dairy cows, 3-10 years old in 7 commercial dairy herds were fed the same supplement (1 kg/cow/day) for 1-3 weeks immediately prior to calving (n=565) or no supplement (n=614), and incidences of clinical milk fever and MS production at 6-9 weeks post calving were compared between groups. RESULTS: In Experiment 1, plasma calcium concentrations were higher (p=0.01) in supplemented than in non-supplemented cows after fasting, indicating reduced susceptibility to fasting-induced hypocalcaemia. In Experiment 2, the incidence of milk fever was lower (6.4% vs 17.1%, p=0.001) and MS production was higher (p=0.01) in supplemented than in non-supplemented cows. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results demonstrate that feeding a supplement designed to reduce dietary calcium availability for 2-4 weeks immediately prior to calving reduced the susceptibility of cows to fasting-induced hypocalcaemia, reduced the incidence of clinical milk fever and increased MS production in early lactation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The concept and product reported here have potential to provide dairy farmers with a practical means to prevent hypocalcaemia and improve milk production during early lactation.     

Performance of tropical dairy cows fed whole crop rice silage with varying levels of concentrate

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of concentrate/milk yield ratios on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency, and milk production in dairy cows fed with a basal diet of whole crop rice silage (WCRS). Sixteen crossbred cows (75 % Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 25 % Thai cows) in mid-lactation were assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments corresponding to four concentrate/milk yield ratios (0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (kg/kg)) were used. All cows were offered WCRS (with 1.5 % urea and 3 % molasses) ad libitum. Silage and concentrate were fed individually twice a day. Results revealed that dry matter intake (12.8–14.5 kg/day), nutrient digestibility (62.5–68.7 %), and rumen fermentation efficiency were not significantly affected by concentrate supplementation. Milk yield (10.2–11.5 kg/day) and milk composition were similar between cows fed with sole WCRS and those supplemented with concentrate mixture, although milk fat tended to increase in cows fed with sole WCRS. In conclusion, sole WCRS fed to dairy cows without concentrate supplementation resulted in similar feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and milk production as compared to those supplemented with concentrate in lactating dairy cows. These results suggest that in tropical areas where rice crop is surplus, WCRS could sustain reasonable levels of milk production among dairy cows with little or no concentrate supplementation provided that urea and molasses are included in the silage.     

光照时间对奶牛泌乳和采食性能的影响

为研究光照对奶牛泌乳和采食性能的影响,分别选择处于第Ⅰ泌乳月和第Ⅳ泌乳月的90头和45头奶牛,采用人工光照的方式,使奶牛每天的光照时间分别由自然光照的9.5 h增加到15 h和18 h.试验期30 d,分析测定了产奶量、乳脂率、采食量及经济效益.结果发现当光照时间为15 h时,试验牛的产奶量和采食量均显著高于9.5 h和18 h试验牛(P＜0.05);且经济效益较好,每头奶牛每天可增收3.95元;各试验组奶牛牛奶乳脂率无显著差异(P＞0.05).综合分析表明在奶牛饲养管理中每天提供15 h光照较好.     

Comparison of the performance of Holstein-Friesian and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian crossbred dairy cows within three contrasting grassland-based systems of milk production

The performance of spring calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey×Holstein-Friesian (J×HF) dairy cows was examined during three successive years (mean of 35 HF cows and 31 J×HF cows per year). Throughout the experiment cows were managed on one of three grassland-based systems of milk production, namely low concentrate (LC), medium concentrate (MC) or high concentrate (HC). Post-calving, cows were housed and offered grass silage, supplemented with 6.0, 8.0 and 10.0 kg concentrate/cow/d in systems LC, MC and HC, respectively (mean period from calving to start of full time grazing, 69 days). During the grazing period target concentrate feed levels were 0, 2.5 and 5.0 kg/cow/d for systems LC, MC and HC, respectively (mean period from start of full time grazing to start full time re-housing, 206 days). Full lactation concentrate inputs were 530, 1092 and 1667 kg/cow, in systems LC, MC and HC, respectively. There were no significant genotype×system interactions for any of the milk production parameters examined. Food intake during the confinement and grazing periods was unaffected by genotype. Milk yield was highest with HF cows while milk fat and milk protein content were highest with the J×HF cows (P<0.001). Genotype had no effect on fat plus protein yield. Milk yield and fat plus protein yield were higher with systems MC and HC than with LC (P<0.001). HF cows were on average 44 kg heavier than J×HF cows, while the mean condition score of the J×HF cows was approximately 0.2 units higher than that of the HF cows (P<0.001). Live weight and condition score changes during the lactation followed similar trends with both genotypes. The J×HF cows had fewer days to first observed heat (P<0.05), a higher conception rate to first service (P<0.01), first plus second service (P<0.001), and a higher pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding season (P<0.05). Although mean somatic cell score was unaffected by genotype, the proportion of cows with one or more cases of mastitis was lower with the J×HF cows (P<0.05). In summary, while the J×HF cows had improved fertility performance compared to the HF cows, both genotypes exhibited similar levels of tissue mobilisation and deposition throughout the lactation, while there was no evidence of a genotype×grassland system interaction for any of the milk production parameters examined.     

Performance and Economics of Dairy Cows Fed a Corn Silage-Based Total Mixed Ration or Grazing Annual Ryegrass During Mid to Late Lactation

Economic and performance characteristics of a low cost grazing system based on annual ryegrass vs a total mixed ration (TMR) for cows during mid through late lactation were evaluated. Cattle used in the trial (28 Holstein and 12 Jersey cows) were blocked by parity, lactation number, days in milk, projected mature equivalent milk yield, and current milk yield, and cows were assigned to two treatments in a randomized complete block design. For 10 wk (March through May 1998), cows either received a corn silage-based TMR or grazed annual ryegrass and received no supplemental concentrates. Changes in feed composition, milk yield, milk composition, BW, condition score, and income over feed costs were examined. Cows on Treatment 1 were fed the TMR twice daily and were housed together in a free-stall barn. Cows assigned to grazing were allowed ad libitum access to annual ryegrass in a rotational 12-paddock system. Loose mineral was provided for ad libitum consumption, but no supplemental concentrate was offered. Daily milk production by the TMR cows was consistent, ranging between 22.5 and 27.2 kg per cow throughout the study. By contrast, daily milk production of the grazing cows declined from 26.6 to 15.9 kg per cow as lactation progressed. Ryegrass grazing reduced milk fat content during wk 4 and 8 of the study and increased MUN content during wk 2 but had no effect on milk protein content or somatic cell count. The BW, body condition score, and estimated DMI of grazing cows were less than they were for TMR cows. Milk income for the grazing cows was less than that for the TMR cows throughout the study. However, feed cost for grazing cows was substantially lower than that for the TMR cows. Hence, income over feed cost (IOFC) was greater for grazing cows than for TMR cows in all but the last 2 wk of the study. These results indicated that annual ryegrass grazing was more profitable than feeding a TMR to cows in mid to late lactation. However, grazing cows did lose body condition, which could have a negative effect on milk production in the subsequent lactation.     

Digestion in steers and lactational performance of Jersey cows fed diets varying in natural protein level continuously or on alternate days

Five crossbred beef steers (515 kg) were used in a Latin square experiment and 36 lactating Jersey cows (12 primiparous, 310 kg; 24 multiparous, 365 kg) were used in a completely randomized design study to determine effects on characteristics of digestion and lactational performance of daily alternation of the dietary level of natural protein (NP). In Experiment 1, steers were fed diets of 50% bermudagrass hay and 50% concentrate. Concentrate was approximately 18% crude protein (CP), formulated to be 60, 80 or 100% NP (varying proportions of soybean meal, urea and ground corn), and was fed at 1.5% body weight (dry matter basis). These concentrates were fed daily or ones with 60 and 100% NP were fed on alternate days. Alternate day feeding did not markedly affect characteristics of digestion, including ruminal escape of feed protein, and NP level of concentrate fed continuously had no effects either. In Experiment 2, cows were subjected to treatments similar to those in Experiment 1, and performance on d 20-40 of lactation was measured. Concentrate was given at 1 kg (as fed)/2.15 kg milk produced, yielding a dietary concentrate level of approximately 40% (dry matter basis). Alternate feeding depressed (P less than 0.05) overall milk fat percentage. Alternate feeding increased production of milk and protein and body weight of primiparous cows but caused little change with multiparous cows. Besides increasing the dietary level of concentrate, perhaps alternate feeding regimes have utility to lower milk fat level without impairing milk production. Level of NP in concentrate fed continuously did not affect performance by multiparous cows though primiparous cow performance was generally enhanced, possibly because CP intake was adequate for multiparous cows but marginal for primiparous cows. However, overall, efficiency of production of solids-corrected milk rose slightly with increasing NP.     

Development of smallholder dairy units in Malaysia

In experiments conducted over a four-year period the effect of pasture type (Setaria sphacelata and a Brachiaria decumbens/Leucaena leucocephala mixture), management system (rotational grazing and cut and carry) and level of concentrate supplement (0, 4 and 6 kg fresh weight/cow per day) on milk production in smallholder dairy units was examined. All units were 1 ha in size and stocked with five Sahiwal X Friesian cows. Milk yields/ha were higher from rotational grazing and the brachiaria/leucaena pasture when compared with the cut and carry system and the setaria pasture respectively. In subsequent experiments smallholder units were based on brachiaria/leucaena and rotational grazing. A supplement of 4 kg fresh weight of concentrate (11 MJ/kg DM and 150 g/kg DM CP) increased milk yield/ha from 7,760 to 13,045 kg while in a third trial milk yield/ha was further increased from 14,148 to 16,760 kg when concentrate level was raised from 4 to 6 kg fresh weight/day. The results indicate that smallholder dairy units in Malaysia could be economically viable and competitive with other agricultural enterprises such as rubber and oil palm.     

酵母蛋白饲喂泌乳奶牛试验报告

本试验通过在荷斯坦泌乳牛日粮中添加酵母蛋白部分替代豆粕,研究其对泌乳牛干物质采食量、产奶量、乳成分及身体健康情况的影响,选取400头胎次、产奶量相近的中国荷斯坦泌乳牛分为对照组和试验组各200头,试验组每头牛每天饲喂500g酵母蛋白,通过60d的试验,结果表明试验组和对照组奶牛平均日产奶量差异不显著（P〉0.05）,分别为32.54kg/d与32.34kg/d。在产奶量不变的基础上,试验组平均干物质采食量降低1.7kg（DM）/d,产奶效率提高,与对照组相比差异极显著（P〈0.01）。     

益康XP对奶牛血浆内毒素含量及其他指标的影响

选取泌乳天数<40 d的健康奶牛 12头,按胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量相同或相似的原则,分为试验组和对照组。两组日粮组成相同,试验组牛每天添加益康XP的剂量为试验第1天至第7天500 g/(头·d),从第 8 天后减少到120 g/(头·d),分两次饲喂。试验期为60 d。于试验前 1 天,试验第 20 天,40天和第 60 天分别采血,用鲎试剂法测定血浆内毒素含量;定期测定日均产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数;记录情期受胎率及疾病发生情况。结果表明,试验组奶牛在试验后第20天,第 40 天和第 60 天血浆内毒素均极显著低于对照组(P<0.01);产奶量在第20天,第60天显著高于对照组(P<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数差异均不显著(P>0.05);试验组情期受胎率极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);在疾病发生率方面,试验组极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。     

酵母培养物益康XP对奶牛血浆内毒素含量及其它指标影响的研究

选取泌乳初期(泌乳天数<40d)健康奶牛12头,按胎次、泌乳天数和产奶量相同或相似的原则进行配对,分为试验组和对照组。两组日粮组成相同,但试验组牛每天添加益康XP(剂量为试验第1-7d500g/头/d,从第8d后减少到120g/头/d,分两次饲喂)。试验期为60d。于试验前1d、试验第20d、40d、60d分别采血,用鲎试剂法测定血浆内毒素含量;定期测定日均产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和体细胞数;并记录情期受胎率及疾病发生情况。结果表明:试验组奶牛在试验后第20d、40d、60d血浆内毒素均极显著低于对照组(p<0.01);产奶量在第20d、60d显著高于对照组(p<0.05);两组奶牛乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞数差异均不显著(p>0.05);试验组情期受胎率极显著高于对照组(p<0.01);在疾病发生率方面,试验组极显著低于对照组(p<0.01)。     

"特高"黑麦草饲喂泌乳牛试验

“特高”为四倍体一年生黑麦草，1998年从百绿集团引进。通过15d的奶牛饲喂试验，结果表明：在相同的精饲料供给条件下，日饲喂特高黑麦草(50kg／头)的奶牛日产奶2．4kg，比日饲喂青贮玉米(30kg／头) 野杂草(15kg／头)的奶牛高o．4kg，而每公斤牛奶的饲喂成本却降低了0．17元，效益显著。另外，试验中还发现，饲喂黑麦草特高能有效地减少奶牛乳房炎等病症。     

日粮中添加酵母或酵母培养物对奶牛生产性能的影响

试验旨在研究日粮中添加酵母或酵母代谢物产品对奶牛生产性能的影响。选择70 头中国荷斯坦泌乳奶牛,按产奶量、泌乳天数和胎次等情况配对分成7组,每组10 头,其中试验1组为对照组,其余6组为试验组。对照组饲喂基础日粮,该日粮主要包含20 kg青贮、3 kg干草、2 kg苜蓿干草和9 kg泌乳期奶牛精料补充料。试验组在饲喂基础日粮的基础上再分别添加60 g益生素酵母1、50 g益生素酵母2、10 g益生素酵母3、10 g益生素酵母4、15 g益生素酵母5和15 g益生素酵母6。试验期为50 d,其中预试期10 d,正试期40 d。结果表明,不同的酵母或酵母代谢物产品对奶牛产奶量和奶成分有不同程度的影响,添加益生素酵母2试验组奶牛的产奶量与对照组相比增加显著( P<0.05)。不同的酵母及酵母代谢物产品对牛乳成分也有不同程度的影响,益生素酵母1、益生素酵母2和益生素酵母3显著提高了牛奶中乳脂含量(P<0.05);益生素酵母4显著提高了牛奶中蛋白含量(P<0.05);不同酵母或酵母代谢物产品对牛奶中干物质含量无显著影响;在体细胞数方面,添加益生素酵母2、益生素酵母3和益生素酵母4的试验组牛奶中体细胞数有一定的降低,但差异不显著(P>0.05)。因此,本试验证明饲料中添加酵母及酵母代谢物能提高奶牛的生产性能。     

Nutritional evaluation of transgenic cottonseed in the ration of lactating dairy cows

The effects of feeding transgenic (Bt) whole cottonseed (WCS) were studied in lactating cows. Twenty multiparous crossbred cows (Karan Swiss × Karan Fries) in early lactation were given a concentrate mixture containing 40% crushed delinted non-transgenic (non-Bt) WCS, 2 kg wheat straw and green fodder ad lib for a 15-day adaptation period. Thereafter, the cows were divided in two similar groups of 10 each on the basis of milk yield, body weight (BW) and date of calving. The non-Bt control group continued on same ration, while for the Bt group the non-Bt WCS was replaced by transgenic WCS, in a feeding trial of four weeks. The diets provided a minimum of 2 kg cottonseed/cow/d. Mean DMI/100 kg BW and milk yield of non-Bt and Bt groups was 3.48 and 3.45 kg and 11.4 and 12.0 kg/d, respectively. Intake of nutrients, digestibility, milk production and body condition score (BCS) did not differ between the groups (P > 0.05), but BW gain was higher (P < 0.05) in the Bt group than the non-Bt group, probably as a result of hoof problem in two cows of non-Bt group, which when compared excluding two animals from each group did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Transgenic protein (Cry1C) was not detected in the weekly milk samples or in blood plasma at the end of the experiment, showing that delinted WCS containing Cry1C protein can safely be fed to lactating cows.     

复合酶对奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响

本试验旨在研究复合酶对奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响。选择胎次、泌乳天数、产奶量相近的健康荷斯坦泌乳牛30头,随机分为2组,即试验组和对照组,试验组每日在TMR中添加复合酶制剂50g。结果显示,试验组奶牛日均产奶量对比照组提高了6．6％,差异显著（P〈0．05）;试验组乳蛋白率比对照组提高0．19％,差异显著（P〈0．05）,乳脂率比对照组提高0．3％,差异显著（P〈0．05）,乳糖含量比对照组提高0．2％;经济效益每天每头奶牛比对照组多盈利3．88K。说明每日在奶牛TMR中添加50g复合酶,可提高奶牛产奶量,改善牛奶品质,增加经济效益。     

泌乳奶牛饲喂包被赖氨酸对生产性能及乳成分的影响

选择产奶量和分娩时间相近的头胎荷斯坦奶牛12头,采用单因子3水平4重复随机设计,比较在精料混合料中添加自制的包被赖氨酸0(对照)、0.4%和0.6%三个水平时的饲喂效果,包被赖氨酸的芯材为L—赖氨酸盐酸盐。试验期66天,其中预试期10天,试期内每三天测一次日产奶量,每2周取一次中午奶样用以测定乳糖、乳脂、乳蛋白及乳脂固形物,精料混合料采用试验场现行配方,精料供给量根据前一天的产奶量,用下面的公式算出:精料量(千克)=3千克(维持) 0.265～0.32×前一天的产奶量(千克)。结果显示:添加包被赖氨酸对增加产奶量和改善乳的品质有促进作用,平均日产奶量和4%乳脂校正乳产量、乳蛋白、乳脂、乳糖及总固形物的含量都是以添加0.6%的包被赖氨酸组最好,其中日均产奶量和4%乳脂校正乳产量分别比对照组提高6.8%和10.8%。