Altered milk yield and rumen microbial abundance in response to concentrate supplementation during the cold season in Tibetan sheep

Three trials in dairy cows were carried out to study the effects of replacing grass silage (GS) with wholecrop silage (WCS) made of barley (BS) or wheat (WS) harvested at dough stage with a dry matter (DM) concentration of 300-450 g kg-1. All silages were ensiled using a formic acid based additive 5 l t-1. Milk production responses to energy and protein supplementation of diets were studied. In Exp. 1, BS replaced GS at the rates of 0, 200, 400 or 600 g kg-1 forage DM. Also 10 kg of concentrate containing 0 or 2 kg of rape seed meal was fed. In Exp. 2, barley was harvested at three times (BS1, BS2, BS3) at one week intervals. Barley silages were fed as a mixture with GS (40:60) and in addition BS2 and GS alone. Silages were supplemented with a cereal based farm-made concentrate (FC) or a commercial compound having a lower concentration of starch than FC. In Exp. 3, barley and wheat were harvested at two week intervals, fed as a mixture with GS (40:60) and supplemented with low or high amount of concentrate. The fermentation quality of whole crop silages was good. Weather conditions and maturity affected the proportion of ear in the crop and subsequently the ratio of non-structural carbohydrates to NDF in the silage. The inclusion of WCS depressed diet OM digestibility depending on the digestibility of GS and the proportion of WCS in the diet. However, mixing GS and WCS did not depress intake. Subsequently the use of mixtures maintained or even increased milk yield as compared with GS diet in Exp. 2 and 3. In Exp. 1, higher proportions (400, 600 g kg-1) of BS decreased milk yield. Minor effects of growth stage on milk production were observed with barley whereas delaying wheat harvest increased milk yield. Different types and levels of concentrate induced mainly similar intake and milk yield responses with diets based on GS alone or on mixtures of GS and WCS. The synergistic effect of mixing GS and WCS was more positive in experiments where the protein concentration of concentrate was high (200 g kg-1 DM).;

Download Full-text

Production responses by cows to grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600024259 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 1993 ◽

pp. 99-99

Author(s):

C. A. Huckle ◽

A. J. Rook ◽

R. J. Wilkins

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Present Experiment ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Sward Height ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Lower Protein ◽

Mixed Grass ◽

Friesian Cows

Clements, Huckle and Wilkins (1991) reported that milk yield did not differ significantly between cows grazing grass-clover swards with compressed sward heights maintained at either 4.5 or 6 cm in early season. However, cows grazing the shorter sward produced milk with a lower protein concentration. The feeding of 4 kg concentrates/day resulted in an increase in milk yield at both sward heights but there was no effect on milk constituent concentrations. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effect of a wider range of sward heights and their interaction with concentrate supplementation.Forty eight, multiparous, Holstein Friesian cows with a mean calving date of 21 March were continuously stocked on mixed grass-clover swards. The cows were blocked by calving date, parity and milk yield and randomly allocated to one of six treatments, 0 (U) or 4 kg concentrate supplementation (S) with swards maintained at 4, 6 or 8 cm compressed sward height. Sward heights were maintained by adjusting the grazed area. The swards were permanent pastures which had received no fertilizer nitrogen.

Download Full-text

The influence of cow genetic merit for milk production on response to level of concentrate supplementation in a grass based system

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200012163 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2003 ◽

pp. 57-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Dillon ◽

J. Kennedy ◽

P. Faverdin ◽

L. Delaby ◽

F. Buckley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Holstein Friesian

Pre-1990 published responses to supplementation at pasture ranged from 0.4 to 0.6kg milk/kg concentrate fed. However since 1990 higher responses to concentrate supplementation at pasture have been published (Delaby 2001). The objective of this study was to determine if milk production responses of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows to concentrate supplementation at pasture are influenced by genetic merit (milk yield potential) in a spring calving grass based system of milk production.

Download Full-text

An investigation of the effect of initial milk yield level on the response to sward height and concentrate supplementation in grazing dairy cows

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600029226 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 1995 ◽

pp. 156-156

Author(s):

R. Pulido ◽

J.D. Leaver

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Yield Level ◽

Sward Height ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Cow Performance ◽

Grazing Dairy Cows

The increase of milk yield potential of dairy cows raises a number of questions relating to their management at pasture where the intake potential might be limiting. The interaction of initial milk yield (IMY), sward availability (SH) and level of concentrate supplementation (CI) is largely unknown.Two experiments of 42 and 24 days in spring and midsummer were carried out with 45 and 27 Holstein Friesian cows respectively. In spring, five IMY groups (range 16.9 to 35.5 kg/day) and in midsummer three IMY groups (range 22.2 to 31.8 kg/day) were used. In both periods, three compressed sward height(3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 9 cm) and three CI (0, 3 and 6 kg/day, with 160 g CP/kg DM, 12.8 MJ ME/kg DM) were used. The grazing area consisted of 7.9 ha of perennial ryegrass which was set stocked. The herbage intake (HDMI) was estimated indirectly from individual cow performance. Grazing time (GT) was recorded for each cow on 24 hour observations. Multiple regression analyses were carried out relating the dependent variables herbage intake, grazing behaviour and milk production to the independent variables (IMY, SH, CI).

Download Full-text

Simulating the effect of climate on star grass growth and quality and its capacity to support milk production in the tropical regions of Mexico

Ciência Rural ◽

10.1590/0103-8478cr20130987 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (8) ◽

pp. 1486-1493 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gilberto Yong Angel ◽

Vicente Celestino Pires Silveira ◽

Francisca Avilés Nova ◽

Octavio Alonso Castelán Ortega

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Production Systems ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Small Scale ◽

Data Set ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Grass Growth

The objective of the present study was to simulate the effect of the seasonal variation of climate on the nutritional value and dry matter yield of star grass and its capacity to support milk production alone or with concentrate supplementation in small-scale milk production systems in the tropical regions of Mexico. Two mathematical simulation models were used, the first model simulates the growth and yield of star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus), and the second model simulates the productive performance of dairy cows. Both models were integrated in a decision-making support system (DSSTROP). Model's predictions were validated by a calibration exercise for each data set from three experiments on the effect of concentrate supplementation on milk yield. The DSSTROP predictions and the results from the experiments were compared by regression analysis. The results suggest that the DSSTROP adequately predicts milk production (R2=0.74). The DSSTROP predictions suggest that milk production based solely on star grass may occur only between June to August. The highest milk yield (8.5kg cow-1 day-1) sustained solely on grass was achieved in June, followed by lower yields of <5kg cow-1 day-1 in July and August. Milk production without concentrates can be explained by the positive effects of the rain observed during June to August on grass growth, and to the fact that grass quality is best at the beginning of the rainy season. It is concluded that June to August is the best time of the year for milk production base solely on grass. It also was concluded that the use of large quantities of concentrates by farmers may be justified because milk production with star grass alone may not be possible especially during the dry season.

Download Full-text

Effect of supplements during the cold season on the reproductive system in prepubertal Tibetan sheep ewes

Animal Science Journal ◽

10.1111/asj.12762 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 88 (9) ◽

pp. 1269-1278 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xiaoping Jing ◽

Quanhui Peng ◽

Rui Hu ◽

Hongze Wang ◽

Xiaoqiang Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive System ◽

Cold Season ◽

Tibetan Sheep

Download Full-text

Effect of concentrate supplementation during transition period on production and reproduction of indigenous buffalo

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v49i1.49385 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 49 (1) ◽

pp. 83-90

Author(s):

MR Habib ◽

MZ Islam ◽

MS Bari ◽

MZ Islam ◽

MAH Sarker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Milk Yield ◽

Transition Period ◽

Post Partum ◽

Mustard Oil ◽

Control Group ◽

Common Salt ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Heat Period ◽

Days Open ◽

The Impact

This study was to investigate the impact of concentrate supplementation on the growth, milk yield and quality, postpartum heat period and days open in transient buffalo. Hence, six selected indigenous transient buffaloes were equally divided into two groups viz. control (n=3) and supplemented (n=3). About 56.0 kg mixed green fodders (Para:German=3:1) and 2.0 kg concentrate mixtures were offered as a basal diet to each buffalo. Besides these, an additional amount (0.5 kg) of concentrate mixture (wheat bran-50%, mustard oil cake-40%, common salt-2% and di-calcium phosphate-8%) was supplied to each buffalo of the supplemented group. The dry matter intake of the supplemented buffalo was 2.5 and 2% higher (p<0.001) at pre- and post-partum period, respectively than that of the control fed buffalo. Pre- and post-partum body weight, and body condition score of buffaloes between the group were found similar (p>0.05). About 20% more (p=0.02) milk was obtained in the supplemented group compared to the control group, however, the milk composition was not different (p>0.05). Calf birth weight was found ≈10% higher (p=0.51) in the supplemented group than that of the control group. Postpartum heat period and days open of the supplemented buffaloes were reduced remarkably by 13 and 14 days, respectively compared to the buffaloes in control group. Overall, concentrate supplementation to the transient indigenous buffaloes has noteworthy effects on milk yield, postpartum heat period and days open. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (1): 83-90

Download Full-text

Effects of Dietary Protein Levels on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Serum Metabolites, and Meat Composition of Tibetan Sheep during the Cold Season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10050801 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 801

Author(s):

Xungang Wang ◽

Tianwei Xu ◽

Xiaoling Zhang ◽

Yuanyue Geng ◽

Shengping Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Cold Season ◽

Serum Metabolites ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Meat Composition ◽

Tibetan Sheep ◽

Body Weights

Dietary protein is a critical nutrient that directly influences the health and production of livestock. Recent studies showed that protein supplements could enhance the growth performance of Tibetan sheep. However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of dietary protein levels on carcass traits and meat composition. This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on growth performance, carcass traits, serum metabolites, and meat composition in Tibetan sheep during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A total of eighteen 1-year-old, healthy, castrated Tibetan sheep with similar initial body weights (31.7 ± 0.72 kg) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with different dietary protein level (low protein (LP, 10.1%); medium protein (MP, 12.1%); high protein (HP, 14.1%)) diets. The results indicated that the Tibetan sheep fed with the MP and HP diets had greater final body weights (BWs), average daily gains (ADGs), and average daily feed intakes (ADFIs) (p < 0.05). The MP and HP diets also improved the hot carcass weight, net meat (including the fat) weight, and bone weight of the sheep significantly (p < 0.05). Besides, the dietary protein levels could significantly affect the serum concentrations of growth hormone (p < 0.05). The diameter of muscle fibers in the MP group was significantly greater than that in the LP group (p < 0.05), while the density of muscle fibers showed the opposite trend. The dietary protein levels only significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the ether extract content and profile content of the longissimus dorsi muscle but had no effect on other parameters of meat composition. In summary, our results indicate that dietary protein levels affect growth performance, carcass traits, and meat composition and that diets containing 12.1% and 14.1% protein are recommended to obtain better production performance and meat products in Tibetan sheep, rather than a diet containing 10.1% protein, during the cold season on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Download Full-text