The effect of silage type on the performance of lactating cows and the response to, high levels of protein in the supplement

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Standard Rate ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTA change-over design experiment, comprising four periods each of 4 weeks' duration, was used to evaluate three silage types each fed with two levels of protein in the supplement in a 3×2 factorial arrangement. The three silages were high digestibility unwilted (A), high digestibility wilted (B) and low digestibility unwilted (C). The supplements had crude protein contents of 152 and 240 g/kg dry matter, and were offered at a standard rate of 10 kg undried weight daily. The mean silage intakes were 9·3, 9·5 and 8·6 ±0·19 kg dry matter/day for A, B and C respectively, but protein content of the supplement had no significant effect on the intake of silage. Milk yield was significantly affected by both silage type and protein content of the supplement, with the mean yields being 23·6, 23·9 and 22·0 ± 0·49 kg/day for A, B and C respectively, and 22·4 and 24·0 ±0·40 kg/day for the medium and high protein supplements respectively. Although there was no significant interaction between silage type and protein content of the supplement, the greatest response to increased protein was obtained with B. Neither silage type nor protein content ofthe supplement affected animal live weight or milk composition (other than fat content, which was significantly affected by silage type). Blood plasma urea levels were 281 and 405 ± 28·0 mg/1 for the medium and high protein supplements respectively.Total ration digestibility and nitrogen balances were carried out on three animals per treatment. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen was significantly affected by both silage type and level of protein in the supplement. The output of nitrogen in the urine was also significantly affected by both these factors.

The response of spring-calving cows to a high level of protein in the supplement given with grass silage during early lactation

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTA randomized block experiment, using 30 British Friesian cows, was used to assess the effects of offering supplements containing 172 and 234 g crude protein per kg dry matter in addition to grass silage which had a very high digestible organic matter in the dry matter of 769 g/kg. The animals, which had a mean calving date of 1 February, were blocked according to calving date and lactation number and allocated at random within each block to the two treatments. The treatments were applied from day 8 of lactation until the animals went to pasture on 13 April and both supplements were offered at the same rate of 7·6 kg per day. The total yields of milk produced during the experimental period were 1626 and 1650 ±38·4 kg and the mean daily yields during the final week were 24·8 and 25·6 ± 0·58kg for the medium and high protein supplements respectively. The mean live weights for the two groups were 524 and 544 ± 5·5 kg, and body condition score 2·9 and 3·3 ± 0·34 for the medium and high protein supplements respectively at the end of the treatment period. No significant treatment effects on milk composition were recorded at any stage during the experiment. Analysis of blood samples taken during the final week of the experiment showed plasma urea levels, at 220 and 290± 18 mg/1 for the medium and high protein supplements respectively, to be significantly different.

The effect of wilting of herbage on silage composition and its feeding value for milk production

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Block Experiment

ABSTRACTA randomized block experiment was used to assess the effects of wilting of herbage prior to ensiling. Three silages, each a composite of three harvests taken over the season, were prepared by ensiling herbage as unwilted, medium-wilted or high-wilted material with mean dry-matter contents in the resulting silages of 192, 254 and 455g/kg respectively. The silages were ensiled in bunker silos using the same harvesting machinery and with formic acid applied at the rate of 2 81/t of herbage. The silages were offered to 81 January- and February-calving cows from the 8th day post partum until going to pasture on 27 April, with a mean period on treatmen t of 92 days. In addition, all animals received a fixed concentrate allowance of 7·6 kg/day. Wilting increased silage dry-matter intake, the mean intakes being 9·2, 9·4 and 10·0kg/day for the unwilted, medium-wilted and high-wilted material respectively, but resulted in a significant depression in milk yield, with the yields obtained during the final 14 days on treatment being 23·6, 21 -8 and 21·5kg/day respectively. Milk composition, live weight, body condition, total ration digestibility and nitrogen-balance data are also presented.

Statistical research on the digestibility in the cow. II. Nitrogen and ether extract

1972 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Paquay ◽  
R. de Baere ◽  
A. Lousse
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Statistical Research ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Hyperbolic Relation ◽  
Faecal Nitrogen ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYThe results obtained for nitrogen and ether extract digestibility with 116 different rations fed to 242 non-pregnant dry cows and 96 lactating cows were studied.A hyperbolic relation exists between nitrogen digestibility (Y) and crude protein content (X), with the equation:Y = 88·6–(301/X)(r = – 0·928**, RSD = 4·78).Digestible protein content ( Y) is linearly related to crude protein content(X):Y = 0·90X-3·10 (r = 0·982**, RSD = 0·823).From dry-matter intake and crude protein content it is possible to estimate accurately the amount of digestible nitrogen. With all the experimental rations the mean metabolic faecal nitrogen was 496 mg/100 g of ingested dry matter, and the true nitrogen digestibility was conspicuously constant up to 90%.Digestibility of ether extract depends on the nature of the feeds. When the concentrate percentage of the ration is high, the digestibility of ether extract obeys the same laws as that of nitrogen.

scholarly journals Nitrogen balance studies with the milk-fed lamb

1967 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Walker ◽  
L. J. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
N Balance ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dietary Treatments

1. Sixteen male cross-bred lambs were given four diets, which differed in the ratio of protein to energy. The protein contents of the diets (on a dry-matter basis) were: 6.1% (diet A), 11.9% (diet B), 17.5% (diet C) and 22.9% (diet D).2. The experimental period of 7 weeks was divided into two 2-week periods (periods 1 and 2), and one 3-week period. The diets given to the lambs were changed between period 1 and period 2. In period 3 all the lambs were given the same dietary treatment as in period 2.3. The daily feed intake of the lambs was regulated according to live weight. Adjustments were made at the beginning of period 1 and of period 2. The level of feeding was 121 kcal/kg live weight 24 h. In period 3 the intake was the same as in period 2.4. Diet digestibility, live-weight gain, and nitrogen and sulphur balances were calculated for each lamb on each diet in all the periods. Wool growth on sample areas was measured over a 2-week and a 4-week period. These wool growth periods corresponded to treatment period 1, and treatment periods 2 and 3, respectively. At the end of the experiment the lambs were slaughtered and the composition of carcass and organs was determined.5. The mean digestibilities of energy, N, ether extractives and dry matter increased significantly as the protein content of the diet increased.6. The live-weight gain increased with increasing protein content of the diets, but only the difference between the means for diet A and all other diets was significant.7. The N and S balances increased with increasing intake of apparently digested N and S, and all differences between the means for individual diets were highly significant.8. There was a significant correlation between N balance and live-weight gain for each diet. However, when compared at the same late of gain, N balance increased as the protein content or the diet increased.9. Wool growth on the sample areas increased with an increase in the protein content of the diet and all differences between the means for individual diets were highly significant. There were no significant differences between the dietary treatments in their effect on the N and S contents of the wool. The mean values were 15.7% N and 2.87% S.10. The retention of N in the wool grown did not account for the increased N retention on the diets of higher protein content. The lambs given diet A, retained more N and S in wool than was supplied by the diet.11. The percentage of fat in the carcass decreased, and the percentage of protein increased as the protein content of the diet increased. The percentages of moisture and ash were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments.12. The percentages of moisture in the liver, pancreas and muscle decreased and the percentages of protein in the liver and muscle increased as the protein content of the diet increased. The ratio of N in the organs (with the exception of the spleen and pancreas) to N in the carcass was highest for lambs given the diet with least protein (diet A).

The effects of the frequency of feeding concentrates on milk production and eating behaviour in Ayrshire dairy cows

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Gill ◽  
M. E. Castle
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Protein Concentrates ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Ad Libitum

ABSTRACTTwo separate experiments were conducted with 12 lactating and four non-lactating Ayrshire cows to compare three frequencies of feeding concentrates per day. Milk production was measured in a 16-week experiment in which the lactating cows were given either a low- or a high-protein concentrate 2, 4 or 22 times (×) per day. Eating behaviour was measured in a 15-week experiment in which the non-lactating cows were also given the low- and high-protein concentrates 2 and 22 × per day. The low- and high-protein concentrates had concentrations of 128 and 202 g crude protein/kg dry matter respectively. Grass silage with a digestibility of organic matter in the dry matter of 0·655 was offered ad libitum to all the cows. Frequency of feeding had no significant effects on silage intake, total nutrient intake, milk yield and live weight. The milk fat concentration increased as the frequency of feeding increased but none of the differences in this and the other milk constituents was significant. Total eating time per day and eating and ruminating time per kg dry matter were not significantly different on the 2 × and the 22 × feeding treatments. There were no interactions between the feeding-frequency treatments and the two types of concentrates. It is concluded that there were no advantages in offering concentrates in more than two separate feeds per day when the daily amount averaged about 7 kg per cow and good-quality silage was available ad libitum

THE DRY MATTER INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF WINTER WHEAT HARVESTED AS WHOLE CROP SILAGE

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Crude Fiber Content ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Dough Stage

Wheat was harvested for silage at the milk, the soft dough and the firm dough stages of maturity and fed to lactating cows in a comparison with corn silage harvested at 30% dry matter. The protein content of the four silages ranged from 7 to 8.3%. The crude fiber content of the corn silage (22%) was lower than that of the three wheat silages ranging from 27.4% at the firm dough stage to 34.5% at the milk stage. Silage dry matter intake was highest for the firm dough wheat silage and lowest for the corn silage. However, there was no significant difference in milk yield or milk composition among the four silages. The higher intake of the firm dough silage compared to corn silage was compensated for by the tendency of higher digestibility of the corn silage. The rumen acetate content of the cows fed soft dough wheat silage was higher than for those fed corn silage and milk stage wheat silage, while the reverse was true for rumen propionate.

A note on the use of kale as a replacement for cereal-based concentrates for milk production

1976 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Block Experiment

SUMMARYTwenty-four lactating cows were used in a 6-week randomized block experiment to assess the effect of replacing 2·4 kg of cereal-based concentrate dry matter by either 2·6 or 3·2 kg of kale dry matter for cows with ad libitum access to grass silage. Milk yield, milk composition and live-weight change were not affected by the inclusion of kale. Silage dry-matter intake was significantly lower on the kale treatments than with concentrate, being 8·51, 7·89 and 7·95 kg per day for the concentrate, low-kale and high-kale supplements respectively. Energy digestibilities were 68·1, 74·4 and 76·4% and nitrogen digestibilities 67·1, 74·9 and 78·8% for the three treatments respectively.

The feed intake of grazing cattle III. The influence of level of milk yield

1965 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. W. Jones ◽  
R. M. Drake-Brockman ◽  
W. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARY1. The feed intakes of 18 Ayrshire cows continuously grazing a timothy-meadow fescue-white clover sward were estimated by the chromic oxide-faecal nitrogen method for two 6-weekly periods, one in 1960 and one in 1961. The cows consisted of (1) 6 lactating cows, 6–7 months post partum (Low yield), (2) 6 lactating cows, 2 months post partum (High yield) and (3) 6 dry cows; their live-weights, milk yields and milk composition were recorded.2. The mean organic matter digestibility of the herbage consumed in the two experiments was 78·2 and 76·2%. The mean digestible organic matter intakes (DOMI) were 23·3, 24·7 and 17·6 Ib./day for low yield, high yield and dry cows respectively.3. The mean daily fat-corrected milk (FCM) yields of the low and high yield cows were 29·1 and 34·3 lb. in the first experiment, and 26·8 and 42·8 lb. in the second. The mean live-weights of the lactating groups were 1036 lb. and 1106 lb. in the two experiments and did not differ between yield levels.4. DOMI was partitioned between maintenance, live-weight gain and FCM yield by regression analysis. Significant partial regression coefficients of DOMI on FCM varying between 0·221 and 0·272 were obtained. It was concluded that milk production accounted for about 0·24 lb. DOMI per lb. FCM.5. The results are discussed with particular regard to other estimates of the effect of milk production on the DOMI of the grazing cow and to the estimation of the maintenance requirement for DOM by the grazing animal.

Prediction of voluntary intake of grass silages by lactating cows offered concentrates at a flat rate

1991 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 407-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Rook ◽  
M. Gill ◽  
R. D. Willink ◽  
S. J. Lister
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Flat Rate ◽  
Organic Matter Concentration ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACTData for individually recorded silage dry-matter intake (SDMI), concentrate dry-matter intake (CDMI), live weight, milk yield and milk composition of lactating dairy cows offered silage ad libitum and concentrates on a flat-rate basis, together with data for silage composition from experiments conducted at four sites, were used to obtain simple and multiple regressions of SDMI on other variables.Simple regressions showed that the most important variables affecting SDMI were, in order of importance: silage ammonia nitrogen, fat yield, CDMI, silage digestible organic matter concentration (DOMD) and live weight. The best multiple regression for the mean SDMI over weeks 4 to 13 of lactation accounted for proportionately 0·649 of the variation. Examination of week by week data for weeks 3 to 20 of lactation showed that two models for early and mid lactation were required to give a reasonable pattern of residual variances. These models accounted for 0·627 and 0·581 of the variation respectively. It was necessary to fit time effects explicitly in early lactation. Live weight was best represented by fitting post-calving live weight and deviations from post-calving live weight separately. A number of models requiring fewer input variables were also obtained to allow for use in situations where the full range of measurements is not made.The new models were tested using independent data from three sites. They performed better than a number of previously published models but the best model still gave a prediction error of proportionately 0·17 about the mean actual silage intake in early lactation and 015 in late lactation.The results suggest that there is little to be gained from further refinement of the functional form of the models and that the construction of a number of models for specific food and management situations is preferable to the use of global models.

The effects of wilting of grass prior to ensiling and bacterial inoculation on milk composition

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 155-158
Author(s):  
D.C. Patterson ◽  
T. Yan ◽  
F.J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Factorial Design ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Bacterial Inoculation ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cattle

AbstractA study was conducted to assess the effects of rapid wilting of grass prior to ensiling on milk composition in lactating dairy cattle across a range of silage harvests. The effects of wilting on the response to bacterial inoculation were also examined. Experiments 1 and 2 were of 2 x 2 factorial design based on the factors wilting (unwilted and wilted treatments) and inoculant (control and inoculant treatments). The inoculants each had Lactobacillus plantarum plus other bacterial species. Experiments 1 and 2 had 3 and 8 harvests respectively and the corresponding feeding experiments were balanced changeover designs with 3 and 8 periods respectively. The feeding periods were of 8 and 3 weeks duration in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively and during each period each silage was fed ad libitum together with a concentrate supplement to 12 cows.The durations of the wilting periods ranged from 24 to 48 h in each experiment and the mean initial and final dry matter contents of the grass were 200; 317 g/kg and 176; 316 g/kg for Experiments 1 and 2 respectively.In Experiment 1 the butterfat, protein and lactose concentrations (g/kg) from the unwilted and wilted silages were 45.1 and 47.2 (s.e. 0.23, P<0.001), 33.7 and 35.6 (s.e. 0.11, P<0.001) and 48.9 and 48.7 (s.e. 0.08, P<0.05) respectively. In Experiment 2 the corresponding values (g/kg) were 45.2 and 46.4 (s.e. 0.23, P<0.05), 32.3 and 33.2 (s.e. 0.13, P<0.05) and 48.9 and 49.1 (s.e. 0.06, P>0.05) respectively. Inoculation had no significant effects on milk composition with either unwilted or wilted silage except for a reduction in protein content in Experiment 1, with values (g/kg) of 34.8 and 35.4 (s.e. 0.11, P<0.05) for control and inoculant treated silage respectively.It is concluded that wilting produced statistically significant increases in the concentrations of butterfat and protein in milk and that inoculants had little effect on milk composition in this study.

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