Milk production in early lactation dairy cows given grass silagead libitum: Influence of concentrate energy source, crude protein content and level of concentrate allowance

ABSTRACTThere is increasing interest in how the raw material make-up of concentrates can influence the milk performance of dairy cows. Thus, over two consecutive winters, 54 dairy cows were used to investigate the effects on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and its composition of feeding concentrates of diverse energy source (LNDF — 131 g neutral-detergent fibre per kg DM, 492 g starch plus sugars per kg DM; HNDF — 244 g neutral-detergent fibre per kg DM, 293 g starch plus sugar per kg DM) at two formulated crude protein (CP) levels (157v.187 g/kg DM) and three levels of concentrate allowance (9, 11, 13 kg DM). The concentrates were formulated to be of equivalent metabolizable energy concentration (MJ/kg DM) and were offered with silagead libitumfor a 10-week period (weeks 4 to 13 of lactation).Silage intakes were variable but not significantly influenced by concentrate energy source or formulated CP level, except in the 1st year where animals consuming the high CP concentrate ate more silage. Silage DM intake decreased as concentrate allowance was increased with the substitution rate (kg silage DM per kg concentrate DM) increasing as concentrate allowance was increased.Increasing the concentrate allowance effected the expected increases in milk yield. Concentrate energy source did not influence milk yield but the higher CP levels effected a 2-kg increase in milk yield. Feeding of LNDF concentrates depressed milk fat concentration and its yield, the depression being accentuated with each increase in concentrate allowance. The depression in milk fat concentration was negatively correlated with the forage: concentrate ratio of the diet consumed. Furthermore, dietary NDF proportion was shown to account for greater than half of the variation in milk fat concentration. In contrast to the observations made for milk fat, feeding the LNDF concentrates effected an increase in milk protein concentration but only at the lower CP level of the concentrate.

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A note on concentrate energy source for dairy cows in mid lactation

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100018900 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 321-323 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

B. K. Sloan ◽

P. Rowlinson ◽

D. G. Armstrong

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Protein Level ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Feeding Level ◽

Dietary Protein Level ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

The forage: concentrate ratio in the diet is known to influence the fermentation characteristics in the rumen (Sudweeks, Ely, Mertens and Sisk, 1981). Increasing the proportion of concentrates in rations fed to dairy cows has been shown to narrow the acetate plus butyrate: propionate ratio in the rumen (Sutton, 1981) with an associated depression in milk fat concentration (Ørskov, Reid and McDonald, 1981). The magnitude of the effect, on milk yield and composition, of increasing the concentrate proportion in the ration has been shown to be dependent on feeding level (Sutton, 1981), and the number of meals of concentrate per day (Johnson, 1979) and also may be influenced by dietary protein level and source (Ørskov et al., 1981).

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The effects of energy source and level of digestible undegradable protein in concentrates on silage intake and performance of lactating dairy cows offered a range of grass silages

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800050797 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 68 (4) ◽

pp. 763-777 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

T. W. J. Keady ◽

C. S. Mayne ◽

D. A. Fitzpatrick ◽

M. Marsden

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

And Performance ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

AbstractThe effects of energy source and level of digestible undegraded protein (DUP) in concentrates on silage intake and performance of lactating dairy cows, offered one of a range of grass silages differing in digestibility and intake characteristics, were evaluated in a partially balanced change-over design experiment involving 48 cows. Four silages were prepared using differing management practices prior to and during ensiling. All silages were treated with an inoculant additive. For silages A, В, С and D, dry matter (DM) concentrations were 199, 320, 313 and 223 (s.e. 4.6) g/kg, pH values 3.82, 4.03, 4·03 and 5·27 (s.e. 0.056), ammonia nitrogen (N) concentrations 58, 122, 66 and 356 (s.e. 13.2) g/kg total N and in vivo DM apparent digestibilities 077, 0.75 , 0.60 and 0.60 (s.e. 0·013) respectively. When offered as the sole diet to 12 dairy cows in a partially balanced change-over design experiment, silage DM intakes were 14.7, 14.7, 12.7 and 10.5 (s.e. 0·36) kg/day respectively for silages А, В, С and D. Six concentrates containing three starch concentrations, each at two levels of DUP, were formulated to have similar concentrations of crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME) and fermentable ME. For the low and high starch concentrates and low and high levels of DUP, starch concentrations were 22·5 and 273 g/kg DM and DUP levels were 44 and 60 g/kg DM respectively. Silages were offered ad libitum supplemented with 10 kg fresh concentrate per head per day. For silages А, В, С and D, DM intakes were 10.8, 11.2, 10·7 and 9·1 (s.e. 0·26) kg/day and milk yields 29.0, 27.6, 27.1 and 25.7 (s.e. 0.69) kg/day respectively. With the exception of milk protein concentration there were no significant (P> 0.05) silage type by concentrate energy source and/or level of DUP interactions on silage intake, milk output or composition. Concentrate energy source had no effect (P> 0.05) on silage DM intake, the yields of milk, fat, protein or fat plus protein or milk fat concentration. However, increasing starch concentration increased milk protein concentration (P< 0·001), urinary allantoin concentration (P< 0·01) and diet apparent digestibility (P< 0·001). Altering concentrate DUP level had no effect (P> 0·05) on silage DM intake, yields of milk, protein, fat or fat plus protein, milk f at concentrations or diet apparent digestibility. Increasing the level of DUP decreased milk protein (P< 0·05) concentration. It is concluded that with silages of varying digestibility, fermentation and intake characteristics, there were no concentrate energy source and/or level of DUP by silage type interactions on silage intake, milk yield or composition, or diet apparent digestibility with the exception of a silage type by concentrate level of DUP interaction on milk protein concentration. With out-of-parlour feeding of concentrates the results of the present study suggest that there is no evidence to justify the formulation of concentrates differing in energy source or level of DUP to complement individual silage types.

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The effects of concentrate energy source on milk composition of lactating dairy cattle offered grass silage

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s146398150004070x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 119-123

Author(s):

T.W.J. Keady ◽

C.S. Mayne ◽

D.A. Fitzpatrick

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Linear Relationships ◽

Wide Range ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

AbstractTwo partially balanced change-over design experiments were undertaken to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on milk yield and composition of lactating diary cows offered a diverse range of grass silages. A total of nine silages differing in fermentation digestibility and intake characteristics were produced in experiments 1 and 2. Silage dry matter (DM) concentration ranged from 170 to 473 g/kg, ammonia nitrogen ranged from 58 to 356 g/kg nitrogen, digestible organic matter in the DM ranged from 551 to 724 g/kg and silage DM intake potential ranged from 57 to 103.8 g/kg w0.75 respectively. In experiment 1, 5 concentrates were formulated to contain similar concentrations of crude protein (CP), effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible undegradable protein (DUP) while three concentrates were formulated in experiment 2 to contain similar concentrations of CP, ME and DUP. The concentrates were prepared using barley, wheat, sugar beet pulp and citrus pulp as energy sources and formulated to achieve a wide range of starch concentrations. Starch concentrations ranged from 50 to 384 g/kg DM and 22 to 273 g/kg DM in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. There were no concentrate energy source by silage type interactions for silage intake, milk yield and composition. It is concluded that increasing starch intake resulted in positive and negative linear relationships for milk protein (P<0.001, R2 = 0.96) and fat (P<0.001, R2 = 0.85) concentrations respectively. Concentrate energy source had no effect on silage DM intake or milk yield.

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An examination of possible interactions between silage type and concentrate composition on the intake characteristics of grass silage offered to growing cattle and dairy cows

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600027902 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 1995 ◽

pp. 21-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C.S. Mayne ◽

Rosemary Agnew ◽

D.C. Patterson ◽

R.W.J. Steen ◽

F.J. Gordon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Growing Cattle ◽

Accuracy Of Prediction ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

Considerable progress has been made recently in improving the accuracy of prediction of silage intake, when offered as the sole food, to growing cattle (Steen et al, 1995). However, in order to incorporate this information into feed rationing programmes, it is essential to obtain information on how silages of differing characteristics interact when offered with a range of levels and types of supplementary feeds. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of concentrate energy source and crude protein concentration, when offered at a range of feed levels, on the voluntary food of a diverse range of grass silages with both growing beef cattle and dairy cows.

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The effects of concentrate energy source on silage intake and animal performance with lactating dairy cows offered a range of grass silages

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800008808 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 21-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

T. W. J. Keady ◽

C. S. Mayne ◽

M. Marsden

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Food Intake ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Design Experiment ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

AbstractA partially balanced change-over design experiment was made to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on the voluntary food intake and animal performance of 50 lactating dairy cows offered a diverse range of grass silages. The silages were also offered as the sole diet to 10 dairy cows in a partially balanced change-over design experiment. A total of five silages were prepared. Silages A, B and D and silages C and E were harvested from primary regrowths and secondary regrowths respectively of predominantly perennial ryegrass swards. Herbage was ensiled either pre-wilted or unwilted and either untreated or treated with a bacterial inoculant or formic acid based additives. For silages A, B, C, D and E, dry matter (DM) concentrations were 473, 334, 170, 170 and 256 (s.e. 4·0) g/kg, pH values 4·42, 4·01, 4·88, 4·46 and 3·91 (s.e. 0·059), ammonia-nitrogen (N) concentrations 86, 88, 289, 182 and 135 (s.e. 10·6) glkg total N and in vitro DM apparent digestibilities 0·76, 0·76, 0·75, 0·73 and 0·75 (s.e. 0·009) respectively. When offered as the sole diet DM intakes were 14·1,14·7,10·5,10·1 and 11·5 (s.e. 0·50) kg/day. Five concentrates were formulated to contain similar concentrations of crude protein, effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), metabolizable energy (ME) and fermentable ME (FME) but using different carbohydrate sources to achieve a wide range of starch concentrations. For the low and high starch concentrates, starch concentrations were 50 and 384 g/kg DM, and acid-detergent fibre concentrations were 128 and 75 g/kg DM respectively. The silages were offeredad libitumsupplemented with 10 kg concentrate per head per day. For silages A, B, C, D and E silage DM intakes were 10·6, 10·5, 8·5, 8·6 and 9·0 (s.e. 0·37) kg/day and milk yields 23·9, 28·1, 26·2, 26·1 and 25·0 (s.e. 0·76) kg/day respectively. Concentrate energy source did not influence (P > 0·05) silage DM intake, diet apparent digestibility or the yields of milk or fat plus protein. For concentrates containing 50, 131, 209, 310 and 384 g starch per kg DM, milk protein concentrations were 32·0, 32·2, 32·5, 33·0 and 33·6 (s.e. 0·13) glkg, milk fat concentrations were 44·5, 43·9, 43·8, 43·3 and 43·1 (s.e. 0·35) glkg and urinary allantoin concentrations 15·2,15·4, 17·0, 1.7·6 and 18·0 mmolll respectively. Increasing starch intake resulted in positive and negative linear relationships for milk protein (P< 0·01, R2 = 0·96) and fat (P< 0·01, R2 = 0·96) concentrations respectively. There were no significant concentrate energy source × silage type interactions on silage intake or yields of milk or fat plus protein (P > 0·05). However there was a concentrate energy source × silage type interaction on milk fat yield (P > 0·05). It is concluded that, with silages of varying fermentation and intake characteristics but similar apparent digestibility, there were no concentrate energy source × silage type interactions on food intake, milk composition or milk yield. Also concentrate energy source had no effect on silage DM intake or milk yield. However increasing starch intake linearly increased milk protein concentration, probably due to increased microbial protein synthesis and decreased milk fat concentration.

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An examination of the effect of concentrate energy source on milk production of dairy cows offered grass silages with differing intake characteristics

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600030348 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1996 ◽

pp. 63-63

Author(s):

T.W.J. Keady ◽

C.S. Mayne ◽

M. Marsden

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Food Intake ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Accuracy Of Prediction ◽

Lactating Dairy Cattle ◽

Concentrate Energy Source ◽

Voluntary Food Intake

Considerable progress has been made recently at this Institute in improving the accuracy of prediction of silage intake when offered as the sole diet. However in most farm situations, silage is usually supplemented with varying levels and types of concentrate when offered to dairy cattle. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on the voluntary food intake and milk yield and composition of lactating dairy cattle when offered a diverse range of grass silages.A total of five grass silages were used in the study, silages A, B and D were produced from primary regrowths, while silages C and E were produced from second regrowths of perennial ryegrass swards. Silages A, B, C, D and E were ensiled after 48, 24, 0, 0 and 24 hour wilting periods. Silages A and C were ensiled untreated, B and D treated with an inoculant, and silage E treated with a formic acid based additive.

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The effects of concentrate energy source on silage feeding behaviour and energy utilization by lactating dairy cows offered grass silages with differing intake characteristics

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s135772980000998x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 225-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

T. W. J. Keady ◽

C. S. Mayne

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Energy Output ◽

Design Experiment ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Wide Range ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

AbstractThe effects of concentrate energy source on feeding behaviour and energy utilization, when offered with grass silages of differing intake characteristics, were studied in lactating dairy cows. A total of five silages, which differed in fermentation and intake characteristics, were prepared. Silages A, B and D and silages C and E were harvested from primary regrowths and secondary regrowths respectively of predominantly perennial ryegrass swards. Herbage was ensiled either pre-wilted or unwilted and either untreated or treated with a bacterial inoculant or formic acid based additives. Five concentrates (0s, 25s, 50s, 75s and 100s) were formulated to contain similar concentrations of crude protein, effective rumen degradable protein and metabolizable energy (ME) but using different carbohydrate sources to achieve a wide range of starch concentrations. The silages were offered ad libitum, supplemented with 10 kg concentrates per head per day. In experiment 1, a partially balanced change-over design experiment involving 50 lactating dairy cows was undertaken to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on silage feeding behaviour. Silages A, B, C, D and E were each supplemented with concentrates Os, 25s, 50s, 75s and 100s. Concentrate energy source did not alter (P > 0·05) silage feeding behaviour. The number of meals per day decreased (P < 0·01) as silage dry-matter concentration increased. Experiment 2, a completely randomized experiment involving 18 lactating dairy cows, was undertaken to examine the effects of concentrate energy source on energy utilization with cows offered silages B, C and D. These were supplemented with 10 kg/day of concentrates Os, 50s and 100s. Concentrate energy source had little effect (P > 0·05) on ME intake, energy output or on the efficiency of utilization of ME for lactation (k1). In experiment 3, the effect of concentrate energy source on silage preference was examined in a factorial design experiment involving 12 lactating dairy cows. Silages B, C and D were supplemented with concentrates Os, 50s and 100s. Concentrate energy source did not alter (P > 0·05) silage preference. It is concluded that with silages of differing fermentation and intake characteristics but of similar digestibility, concentrate energy source had no effect on feeding behaviour, silage preference or energy utilization. Furthermore there was no evidence of concentrate energy source by silage type interactions on silage feeding behaviour and preference, or energy utilization.

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The effects of concentrate energy source on the milk production of dairy cows given a grass silage-based diet

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800008109 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 31-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

P. Huhtanen ◽

S. Jaakkola ◽

E. Saarisalo

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Concentrate Energy ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Gross Energy ◽

The Difference ◽

Energy Supplements ◽

Concentrate Energy Source

AbstractSixteen Finnish Ayrshire cows were used in a four period cyclic change-over experiment to evaluate eight concentrate supplements in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Two concentrate energy sources (starchy and fibrous) were used, each given with two levels (0 and 180 g/kg on a dry-matter (DM) basis) ofrapeseed meal (RSM) and two levels (0 and 180g/kg on DM basis) of wet distillers' solubles (WDS). The starchy concentrate (S) comprised rolled barley and oats (1:1). For the cows given the fibrous concentrate (F), 600 g/kg of the grain mixture was replaced with a mixture of fibrous by-products. Grass silage was offered ad libitum and the supplements offered at a rate of 9 kg/day (fresh weight).The cows offered F supplements consumed more silage DM than those offered S supplements (P < 0·01) but the difference in the total DM intake was smaller. The cows given S supplements produced slightly more milk than those given F supplement (26·5 v. 25·9 kg/day) but no differences were observed in the yield of milk constituents between the energy supplements. Replacing starch with fibre in the concentrate had no effect on the apparent digestibility of organic matter but tended to increase that of neutral-detergent fibre.Including RSM in the supplement increased total DM intake (P<0·05) and led to increases in the yield of milk and milk constituents (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01). Diet apparent digestibility was not affected by RSM supplementation.There were no significant interactions between concentrate energy source and RSM supplementation. Including WDS in the diet had no effect on food intake. Production responses to WDS supplementation varied with the concentrate energy source. WDS increased (at least P< 0·05) milk yield (1·0 kg/day) and the yields of fat (76 g/day) and protein (48 g/day) when given with the starchy concentrate. With the fibrous concentrate WDS had no effect on milk and protein yield, and decreased fat yield by 52 g/day (P < 0·05). The positive responses in the yields of milk fat and protein to RSM and WDS supplementation were almost additive with the starchy concentrate. Inclusion of WDS in the diet increased the apparent digestibility of organic matter and gross energy.

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The effect of fat supplementation of concentrates on digestion and utilization of energy by productive dairy cows.

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v29i2.17009 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 79-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Y. van der Honing ◽

B.J. Wieman ◽

A. Steg ◽

B. van Donselaar

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Latin Square ◽

Soya Bean ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Simultaneous Reduction ◽

Gross Energy ◽

The One ◽

Lipid Supplement

Two energy balance experiments each used 6 high-yielding dairy cows. In the first, a 3 X 3 Latin square with one replicate, rations were of 7 kg hay and 11 to 14 kg of concentrates having crude protein 251 g and gross energy 17.9 MJ/kg, given alone or with 5% tallow or 5% soya bean oil. Three weeks of adaptation were followed by 10 to 12 days when excreta were collected and gas exchange estimated. Digestibility and metabolizable energy of concentrates and hay were also assessed using wethers fed to maintenance only. Intakes of DM and digestibility of nutrients other than lipid did not differ among treatments with either sheep or cows. There were no apparent differences in rumen fermentation in the one cannulated cow used, and energy loss in urine was also unaffected. Lipid supplement reduced methane loss. Milk yield and milk energy were increased with tallow, with a simultaneous reduction of milk fat and percentage of protein. Soya bean oil reduced the percentage of milk fat and milk energy produced. The second trial, using similar animals and with similar management had a change-over design in which the concentrate was given alone or with 7% tallow. Results confirmed those of trial 1. The effect of level of feeding on the efficiency of utilization of energy is discussed. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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