The effects of body condition at calving and dietary protein content on dry-matter intake and performance in lactating dairy cows given diets of low energy content

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Jones ◽  
P. C. Garnsworthy

ABSTRACTFour groups of six cows were fed from 12 weeks before calving to achieve condition scores at calving of 3·15 (F) and 2·15 (T). For the first 20 weeks of lactation all cows were given 8 kg concentrate (13·93 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg dry matter (DM), 200 g crude protein (CP) per kg DM) which contained either a high or a low dietary concentration of undegradable dietary protein (UDP) (70 g/kg DM, H, and 49 g/kg DM, L) and 3 kg sugar-beet pulp. Hay was also offered ad libitum.There was no significant effect of treatment on milk yields over the first 20 weeks of lactation (overall mean yield 27·3 (s.e. 3·65) kg/day) but cows in group FL tended to produce less (P > 005). Milk composition was similar for all groups (48·8 (s.e. 5·12) g fat per kg, 27·2 (s.e. 1·48) g protein per kg and 49·0 (s.e. 2·52) g lactose per kg). DM intakes for groups FH, FL, TH and TL were 18·1, 16·9, 17·5 and 18·2 (s.e.d. 0·58) kg/day, respectively (TL v. FL, P < 0·05; FH v. FL, P < 0·05). Mean condition scores for groups FH, FL, TH and TL respectively, were 3·T7, 3·13, 2·21 and 2·08 (s.e.d. 0·18) at calving; 2·25, 2·50, 2·21 and 1·83 (s.e.d. 0·27) in week 10; and 2·46, 2·83, 2·46 and 1·96 (s.e.d. 0·35) in week 20, of lactation. Groups FH, FL, TH and TL lost proportionately 0·09, 0·02, 0·01 and 0·04 (s.e.d. 0·035) of their calving live weights, respectively, over 20 weeks of lactation.It is concluded that increasing the supply of UDP to cows which are fat at calving results in a greater negative energy balance and a small though non-significant increase in mobilization of body fat reserves. At the dietary ME and protein concentrations used, the thin cows could not respond to increased UDP supply and their intake was limited by physical restriction.

1989 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Jones ◽  
P. C. Garnsworthy

ABSTRACTFour groups of six cows were fed from 12 weeks before calving to achieve condition scores at calving of 3·23 (F) and 1·98 (T). For the first 20 weeks of lactation all cows were given 10 kg/day of isonitrogenous (180 g crude protein per kg dry matter (DM)) compounds containing either a high (13·0 MJ/kg DM; HE) or a low (9·8 MJ/kg DM; LE) concentration of metabolizable energy, together with 3 kg/day molassed sugar-beet pulp and hay offered ad libitum.The mean milk yield of cows receiving compound HE (27·7 kg/day) was higher (P > 0·05) than that of cows receiving compound LE (25·6 kg/day). Cows in group FHE yielded 27·0 kg/day, compared with 25·5 kg/day for FLE (P > 0·05); cows in group THE yielded 28·4 kg/day compared with 25·17 kg/day for TLE (P <0·05). After peak lactation, milk yields were maintained better in group THE but declined at a faster rate in group TLE than in groups FHE and FLE. Neither dietary energy concentration nor condition score at calving significantly affected milk composition (butterfat 43·5, protein 29·1, lactose 50·2 g/kg). Cows receiving compound HE consumed significantly (P < 0·001) more energy (208 MJ/day) than cows receiving compound LE (188 MJ/day). Over the first 10 weeks of lactation, changes in condition were –0·83, –0·88 +0·08 and –0·25 (s.e.d. 0·22, P < 0·05) condition score units for cows in groups FHE, FLE, THE and TLE respectively.It is concluded that with diets of high energy concentration intake is mainly limited by physiological mechanisms so that thin cows eat more than fat cows and produce similar amounts of milk. With diets of lower energy concentration, intake is limited by rumen capacity and thin cows eat the same as fat cows. This results in increased fat mobilization and a slight decrease in milk yield by cows which are fat at calving but the limited fat reserves of cows which are thin at calving are insufficient to compensate for reduced energy intake so large reductions in milk yield are observed.


1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Garnsworthy ◽  
G. P. Jones

ABSTRACTFour groups of 12 cows were fed from between 12 and 18 weeks before calving to achieve condition scores at calving of 2·0 (T) or 3·5 (F). For 20 weeks after calving all cows were offered 10 kg/day of a dairy concentrate (metabolizable energy (ME) 13 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)) containing 74 g undegradable dietary protein (UDP) per kg DM (groups TH and FH) or 45 g/kg DM UDP (groups TL and FL), 2 kg/day sugar-beet pulp, 5 kg/day brewers' grains and hay ad libitum.Milk yields were similar for all groups over the first 20 weeks of lactation, but slightly lower for cows in group FL than for other cows. Cows in group FH lost condition over the first 15 weeks and cows in group FL lost proportionally more condition over the first 12 weeks of lactation. Cows in groups TH and TL increased in condition slightly over the first 20 weeks of lactation. After calving, cows in groups TH and TL had significantly higher intakes of DM, digestible DM and ME than did cows in groups FH and FL (P < 0·001). Cows in group TL had higher intakes than did cows in group TH.Groups TH and FH were in negative energy balance until weeks 10 and 11 respectively. Group FL was in negative energy balance between weeks 4 and 7 and group TL was only in negative energy balance in week 5. The biological efficiency of milk production (energy output in milk/energy intake) was 0·37, 0·35, 0·40 and 0·38 for groups FH, FL, TH and TL respectively.It was concluded that cows which are thin at calving produce more milk directly from food than cows which are fat and are biologically more efficient; higher UDP levels in the diet led to increased negative energy balances but in thin cows this was due to lower food intakes whereas in fat cows this was due to higher milk yields which led to greater losses of condition.


2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Korhonen ◽  
M. Happo ◽  
T. Rekilä ◽  
J. Valaja ◽  
I. Pölönen

AbstractAbstract The study evaluates the effects of two dietary Ca: P ratios (1·5: 1v. 2·5: 1) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents (17·3 MJ/kg dry matter (DM)v. 19·2 MJ/kg DM) on the development of osteochondrosis, foot bending and performance in juvenile male blue foxes (Alopex lagopus). Four experimental groups (no. = 10 per group) were formed : (1) low energy, lagopus). low Ca: P (LELC); (2) normal energy, low Ca: P (NELC); (3) low energy, normal Ca: P (LENC); and (4) normal energy, normal Ca: P (NENC). The experiment started at weaning in mid July and finished in early October. From mid August onwards, animals on the normal energy diets (NELC, NENC) grew significantly faster (P< 0·001) than animals on the low energy diets (LELC, LENC). The final body weights of the normal energy groups were 1·5 kg higher than those of the low energy groups (P< 0·001). The dietary Ca: P ratio did not affect live-weight gain. Foot bending increased significantly from summer to autumn (P< 0·001). Changes in foot bending between initial and final evaluations showed that bending was significantly greater (P< 0·05) in animals on normal energy (NELC, NENC) than on low energy diets (LELC, LENC). Significant differences were not found in the mean degree of damage in foot and cartilage between the groups. Ulna breaking strength was significantly higher (P< 0·05) in normal energy (NELC, NENC) than in low energy (LELC, LENC) animals. Ulna calcium and phosphorus concentrations of the normal Ca: P (LENC, NENC) groups were significantly higher (P< 0·001,P< 0·05) than those of the lower Ca: P (LELC, NELC) groups. The bone (ulna) calcium and phosphorus concentrations tended to be higher in the normal energy (NELC, NENC) than in the low energy (LELC, LENC) groups (calciumP= 0·07; phosphorusP= 0·06). The bone Ca: P ratio was higher (P< 0·001) in the normal (LENC, NENC) than in the low Ca: P diet (LELC, NELC) animals. The carcass weights of normal energy animals (NELC, NENC) were significantly higher (P< 0·001) than those of low energy (LELC, LENC) animals. The fat : dry matter ratio was higher (P< 0·05) in normal (NELC, NENC) than in low energy (LELC, LENC) carcasses. We conclude that the Ca: P ratio of the diet has no effect on the development of osteochondrosis or bending of the foot. The higher body weight caused by normal as opposed to low metabolizable energy content seems, however, to increase the incidence of foot bending.


1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Gonzalez ◽  
J. J. Robinson ◽  
I. McHattie

ABSTRACTThirty-six individually-penned ewes (mean live weight 69 kg), each suckling two lambs, were given one of three diets containing either 128 (low), 155 (medium) or 186 (high) g crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter. All diets contained (g/kg), milled hay, 570; molasses, 95; and a barley/fish meal concentrate, 330. The three protein concentrations were achieved by adjusting the proportions of barley and fish meal in the concentrate. Each diet was given at daily metabolizable energy (ME) intakes of 19, 23 and 27 MJ. Mean daily yields of milk in weeks 3 to 8 of lactation for ewes given the diet with the low concentration of crude protein increased from 2·32 kg at 19 MJ ME to 2·53 kg at 27 MJ. Corresponding values for the medium concentration of CP were 2·49 and 2·67 kg and for the high concentration 2·52 and 3·09 kg (P < 0·05 for differences between ME intakes and differences between dietary protein concentrations). For milk composition, interactions between the concentration of dietary protein and level of ME intake were not statistically significant but the main treatment effects were significant, with the protein concentration in milk increasing from 49·6 g/kg for ewes given the low concentration of dietary protein to 54·1 g/kg for those given the high (P < 0·001). Corresponding values for protein concentration in milk for the lowest and highest energy intake were 51·2 and 53·4 g/kg (P < 0·05). Losses of tissue protein were variable but decreased from 26 g/day for ewes given the low-protein diet to 8 g/day for those given the high. In discussing the responses in milk yield to dietary protein and ME intake attention is drawn to the modifying influence of the energy contributed from body tissue.


1979 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. L. P. Le Du ◽  
R. D. Baker

SummaryThe effect of the amount of milk consumed upon the herbage intake and performance of calves at pasture, following a standard rearing period, was investigated using 50 Hereford × Friesian calves purchased at 10–12 days ofage. All calves were offered 6 kg reconstituted milk substitute for a 58 day period indoors and for a subsequent 31 days at pasture. Ten calves were then allocated to each of five milk treatments (0, 2, 4, 6, 10 kg/day) and grazed for a further 63 days. The calves were offered a daily herbage allowance of 60 g dry matter/kg live weight.Daily weight gain was increased by 59 g for each additional kilogramme of reconstituted milk consumed, and herbage intake per unit live weight decreased by 1–24 g/g milk organic matter consumed, equivalent to a reduction in metabolizable energy intake of 9 kJ. Clear effects of both age and diet upon the consumption of herbage were demonstrated. An explanation of the mechanisms governing intake of herbage in milk–fed calves is offered.


Author(s):  
Mehtap Guney ◽  
Cagri Kale ◽  
Duran Bolat ◽  
Suphi Deniz

This study planned to determine the differences among nutrient composition, in vitro digestibility, energy content, digestible dry matter and organic matter yields of barley forage harvested at three different stages of maturity. Each vegetation period (heading stage, seed formation stage and mature stage) was randomly assigned to 5 replication from 1 square meter area and fifteen samples were harvested in total. DM, ADF (p<0.001), and NDF (p<0.05) contents were different in each stages of barley forage. In vitro dry matter (IVDMD), organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy for lactation (NEL) values of samples were determined to be lower than the other two stages at the mature stage (p<0.05). Yield parameters of barley were significantly affected by vegetation period (p<0.001). It can be concluded that all three vegetation period had significantly higher digestibility. Digestible DM, OM and energy yields were higher when harvested at the mature stage of vegetation.


1982 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Tudor ◽  
D. J. Minson

SUMMARYThe net energy values for growth and fattening of two artificially dried tropical grasses-, pangola (Digitaria decumbens) and setaria (S. sphacelata var. sericea cv. Nandi), of similar estimated metabolizable energy content (8·07 and 7·96 MJ/kg D.M.) were determined with cattle using a slaughter technique. Growing cattle with a mean initial weight of 175 kg were given equal quantities of dry matter of the two grasses at each of three planes of nutrition above maintenance for a period of 152 days.The initial energy, fat and protein content of the total body of the 24 test animals was estimated from regressions relating fasted live weight to theśe components, derived from 12 similar cattle slaughtered at the beginning of the feeding period. The final energy, fat and protein content of the test animals was determined directly by chemical analysis. The metabolizable energy (ME) content of the grasses was estimated from the level of digestible energy (DE) determined with eight cattle, assuming that ME = 0·815 DE.The cattle fed pangola gained more live weight, empty-body weight, fat, protein and energy than animals fed similar quantities of setaria. The net energy value for growth and fattening (NEf) was determined using regressions relating energy retention to the quantity of dry matter eaten. NEf in MJ/kg dry matter was 2·27 for pangola and 1·31 for setaria.Efficiency of utilization of ME for growth and fattening (kf) was.27·7% for pangola and 16·9% for setaria. These values for tropical grasses are lower than any values reported for temperate pasture species. Thus the lower efficiency of utilization of ME may cause the lower production of cattle which graze tropical grasses.It was concluded that as the kf values of different tropical grasses are not constant, kf values should be measured on a wider range of tropical grasses so that this factor can be taken into account when evaluating grasses in animal production systems.


1964 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. S. Logan ◽  
P. S. Haydon

Legume–grass forage was ensiled two seasons in 25-ton polyvinyl-encased stacks at dry matter (D.M.) levels of 22 to 37% or stored as field-cured hay. The polyvinyl sleeve coverings provided initial gas-tight conditions. High losses occurred in the high D.M. (32 to 37%) silage during the feeding-out period. Silage quality, as indicated by volatile fatty acid ratios, proximate principles, and digestibility coefficients, was not significantly influenced by D.M. content. When cows were fed the lower D.M. (22 to 29%) silages and hay, forage intake was inversely related to its dry matter content. Intake of high D.M. silage appeared abnormally low. Milk yields appeared to be more consistently influenced by small variations in grain intake than forage dry matter intake through both trials. Milk yields from silages were greater than from hay per unit of D.M. intake. Moisture content of forage had no significant effect on milk composition as indicated by percentage of butterfat, solids-not-fat, or protein.


1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Sanz Sampelayo ◽  
I. Prieto ◽  
L. Lara ◽  
F. Gil Extremera ◽  
J. Boza

AbstractThe morphological development of the sheep and the goat is different and this difference is manifested from early post-natal life. The main characteristic of kid goat carcasses is their low adipose tissue, and this is considered detrimental to quality. In an attempt to determine the nutritional causes of this, a study was performed with kid goats of the Granadina breed and lambs of the Segureña breed. Six kid goats and six lambs were slaughtered at birth, while a further eight kids and eight lambs were fed a milk replacer to satiety until the 60th day of life and slaughtered on the 61st day. Dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intakes and apparent digestibility of energy were determined in four balance periods between 8 and 60 days of life. From the intakes of ME and comparative slaughter data it was possible to calculate energy retention (ER), heat loss (HL) and energy retained as protein (ERp) and as fat (ERf) for kids and lambs. Kid goats showed a similar apparent digestibility of energy to lambs but had lower DM and ME intakes per kg metabolic body weight (M0·75) than lambs. For kids and lambs respectively these values were: 0·93 and 0·94; 45·4 and 50·1 g/kg M0·75 per day; 937 and 1033 kJ/kg M0·75 per day. Mean values for ER, HL, ERp and ERf rates were: 263, 674, 131 and 132 kJ/kg M0·75 per day for kid goats and, 343, 690, 132 and 211 kJ/kg M0·75 per day for lambs. Together with the different intake, kid goats showed a lower rate of ER and overall, a lower rate of ERf than lambs.


1979 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Royce J. Treacher ◽  
Anthony J. Stark ◽  
Keith A. Collis

SUMMARYFrom 6 weeks before calving to the end of lactation 2 groups of 8 cows were fed a ration incorporating a dairy nut containing 29 g/kg urea or an isocaloric isonitrogenous nut containing fish-meal and groundnut. During the 18 weeks after calving, concentrates were fed to appetite. 305-d yields of milk (7023 and 5796 kg) and lactose (345.7 and 273.4 kg) were significantly lower in the urea-fed cows (P< 0·05). Intakes of dry matter, metabolizable energy and digestible crude protein were similar in both groups until 18 weeks after calving when feeding according to yield commenced, but by 6 weeks after calving the urea-fed cows lost only 5% of their immediate post-calving weight compared with 7% in the controls. There was no evidence of ammonia toxicity in the urea-fed cows. Blood glucose concentrations were similar in both groups, but higher serum urea concentrations in the urea-fed cows suggested that there was poor utilization of ingested N. A model proposed by Royet al.(1977) has been used to calculate the requirements of rumen-degradable protein and undegraded protein (UDP) of the 2 groups from their energy intakes and milk yields. Between 4 and 11 weeks post-calving, dietary requirement for UDP closely matched intake of UDP. It is concluded that UDP intake was a major factor in determining the peak milk yield. Mechanisms by which the degradability of the dietary protein might influence milk yield are discussed.


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