Comparison of equations for predicting voluntary intake by dairy cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather D. St. C. Neal ◽  
C. Thomas ◽  
J. M. Cobby
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Grassland Research

SummaryRations for dairy cows are often formulated using predictions of voluntary feed intake calculated from regression equations. The accuracy of the predictions of dry-matter intake by seven equations is investigated. Comparisons are made when live weight is taken to be the observed weekly mean (MLW), the observed live weight after calving (CLW) or an estimated breed weight accompanied by a notional pattern of live-weight change (BLW). Data recorded on a British Friesian dairy herd at the Grassland Research Institute fed mostly silage ad libitum and various supplements are used. The mean square prediction error (MSPE) is calculated for each week and summarized over the whole experimental period.The least MSPE's are 2·1, 2·8 and 2·4 (kg D.M.)2 for comparisons using MLW, CLW and BLW respectively. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1975) equation involving only live weight and milk yield performs well and would be useful when only the limited measurements of live weight and milk yield are available, but the more complex equations of Vadiveloo & Holmes (1979) and of Lewis (1981) give consistently the best predictions. The importance of using the original definitions of the variables when applying a predictive equation is illustrated. Even so, the large errors found in the predictions of intake points to the need for further research.

Validation of a model to predict live weight and estimate dry matter intakes of individual dairy cows on commercial farms

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 113-113
Author(s):  
H. C. F. Wicks ◽  
J. D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Weight Prediction

A method to estimate total dry matter intake (DMI) of individual dairy cows on commercial farms was developed to aid nutritional research on commercial farms (Wicks, 2001). Recently a second validation of the model was carried out using cows from the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI) dairy herd. The results from the validation process at Wye and ARINI are shown and the mean square prediction error (MSPE) of the model for live weight prediction and DMI estimation were calculated.

Complete diets for dairy cows: the effect of energy concentration and change in energy concentration of a complete diet on intake and performance of lactating dairy cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Phipps ◽  
J. A. Bines ◽  
R. F. Weller ◽  
Joanne Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Energy Concentration ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Complete Diet ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYNinety-two British Friesians (56 cows and 36 heifers) were divided into two groups during weeks 3–10 of lactation and received ad libitum either complete diet H (65% concentrates, 35% grass silage, 11·7 MJ ME/kg D.M.) or diet M (50% concentrates, 50% grass silage, 11·2 MJ ME/kg D.M.). In weeks 11· 20 half the animals of each group continued to receive the same diet (HH or MM) while the other half were changed from diet H to M (HM) or from diet M to L (ML). Diet L contained 35% concentrates, 65% grass silage and 10·7 MJ ME/kg D.M. The crude protein concentration of all diets was maintained at about 157 g/kg D.M. by the addition of soya-bean meal to diets M and L.During weeks 3–10 the mean D.M. intake (kg/day), milk yield (kg/day), milk protein (g/kg) and live-weight change (kg/day) for animals on diets H and M were 15·0, 21·7, 33·3, 0·50 and 12·9, 20·2, 31·5, 0·35 respectively. Differences were significant for D.M. intake, milk yield and milk protein concentration. Although milk-fat concentration of cows given diet H (40·2 g/kg) was similar to that of cows given diet M (39·9 g/kg), heifers receiving diet H had a significantly lower value (37·0 g/kg) than those given diet M (39·8 g/kg).When animals were changed from diet H to M or from M to L at week 11, D.M. intake, milk yield and milk-protein concentration decreased. However, milk-fat concentration and live-weight change were generally unaffected.During the complete experimental period, weeks 3–20, animals on treatments HH, HM, MM and ML had mean D.M. intakes and milk yields of 15·3, 14·2, 13·2, 12·4 kg/day and 19·7, 18·5, 17·8, 17·0 kg/day. Milk-protein concentration, was closely related to D.M. intake, but only with heifers did diet H significantly depress milk-fat concentration. The highest live-weight gain was recorded on treatment HH (0·40 kg/day) and the lowost on treatment ML (0·29 kg/day) with intermediate values for treatments HM and MM.In vivodigestibility coefficients of D.M. and organic matter for diet H (0·731, 0·757) were significantly higher than those of diet L (0·707, 0·734) with intermediate values for diet M. However, for acid-detergent fibre the digestibility coefficient for diet H was significantly lower (0·562) than for diet L (0·662). The digestibility coefficients for nitrogen in all three diets were similar.Estimates of mean efficiency of utilization of ME for lactation were made on a weekly basis and were 0·56 and 0·64 for animals on diets H and M in weeks 3·10. During weeks 11·20 the mean values for animals on treatments HH, HM, MM and ML were 0·46, 0·53, 0·51 and 0·59, respectively.

A note on the voluntary feed intake of lactating ewes, their milk yield and the growth rate of their lambs

1969 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Voluntary Intake

SUMMARYVoluntary hay intake and milk yield were measured in 11 singlesuckling and 4 twin-suckling ewes for the first seven weeks of lactation. There was no significant difference between the intakes of the two classes of ewe and milk yield differed only in the seventh week. Variations in milk yield and live-weight change were significantly associated with variations in voluntary intake. Lamb weight gain was correlated with milk yield and voluntary intake of the dam.

scholarly journals Replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal in diets based on spineless cactus for lactating cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 1995-2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana Maria da Silva ◽  
Marcelo de Andrade Ferreira ◽  
Adriana Guim ◽  
Ricardo Alexandre Silva Pessoa ◽  
Luiz Henrique dos Santos Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Sorghum Silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal in the diet of dairy cows fed diets based on spineless cactus. Five Girolando lactating cows were used, with average live weight of 490 kg and average production of 11.5 kg of milk/day, distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design (5 animals, 5 treatments and 5 experimental periods). Each experimental period lasted 15 days, 10 days being for the adaptation of the animals to the diet and 5 days for data collection. The experimental diet consisted of spineless cactus (53%), sorghum silage (32%) and concentrate (15%). The cottonseed meal replaced 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of soybean meal in the concentrate. The intake, milk yield and composition were evaluated. The nutrients intake and digestibility were not affected by the treatments, with an average of 15.55 and 56.05; 13.8 and 59.31, 0.37 and 49.40, 5.32 and 30.95, 1.79 and 48.14; 9.94 and 54.31, 4.43 kg/day and 80.99%, for the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, total carbohydrates and non-fibrous carbohydrates, respectively. The total digestible nutrients were not affected (average of 8.30 kg/day). Similarly, the milk yield and composition, fat corrected milk yield (4%), lactose, total solids, fat and protein were not affected by replacement (11.56, 11.41 kg milk/day and 4.45, 12.75, 3.95 and 3.42%, respectively). Recommended the replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal for low production dairy cows.

Effects of feeding peas to high-producing dairy cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Corbett ◽  
L. A. Goonewardene ◽  
E. K. Okine
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Protein Source ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Nutrient Analyses ◽  
Protein Milk

The effect of substituting peas for soybean and canola meals as a protein source in a high-producing dairy herd was studied in 66 Holstein cows, divided into two groups based on stage of lactation, parity, level of milk production and days in milk. Two 18.5% crude protein grain concentrate diets were formulated based on the nutrient analyses of the forages available. The control grain mix contained standard protein sources, principally soybean and canola meal (SBM\CM) while the test grain mix was formulated to contain approximately 25% field peas as the major source of protein. Both grain rations were formulated to the same nutrient specifications and balanced for undegradable protein. The duration of the trial was 6 mo during which grain feeding levels were adjusted monthly based on milk yield. For cows in early lactation, 4% fat-corrected milk yield was higher (P < 0.05) for cows fed pea based concentrates (31.3 kg d−1) than for cows fed SBM\CM supplement (29.7 kg d−1). Fat-corrected milk yield was not affected by source of protein in mid- and late-lactation cows. Fat-corrected milk production was not different (P > 0.05) for cows fed SBM\CM compared with cows fed the pea supplement when cows across all stages of lactation were included in the analyses. Milk fat percent was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for early- and mid-lactation cows fed the pea supplement. The results suggest that peas can be substituted for SBM\CM as a protein source for high-producing dairy cows. Key words: Dairy cow, pea, soybean and canola meal supplement, undegradable protein, milk production

The effect of level and type of supplement offered to grazing dairy cows on herbage intake, animal performance and rumen fermentation characteristics

2003 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Sayers ◽  
C. S. Mayne ◽  
C. G. Bartram
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Protein Composition ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Herbage Intake

AbstractA study was undertaken to examine the effect of level and type of supplement and changes in the chemical composition of herbage through the grazing season on herbage intake, animal performance and rumen characteristics with high-yielding dairy cows. Thirty-two high genetic merit dairy cows were allocated to one of four treatments in a two-phase change-over design experiment. The four treatments involved offering either high-fibre (HF) or high-starch (HS) supplements at either 5 or 10 kg dry matter (DM) per day. Animals rotationally grazed perennial ryegrass swards offered a daily herbage allowance of 23 kg DM. High levels of animal performance were maintained throughout the study with mean milk yields over the 21-week experimental period of 35·5 and 37·2 kg per cow per day on the 5- and 10-kg treatments respectively. Supplement type had no significant effect on herbage intake. Increasing the level of supplementation reduced herbage intake by 0·49 and 0·46 kg herbage DM per kg supplement DM and increased milk yield, with a milk yield response of 0·55 and 0·65 kg/kg supplement DM offered in phases 1 and 2. Supplement type had no significant effect on milk yield and milk butterfat content. However, in both phases 1 and 2, milk protein content was significantly higher with cows offered the HS supplement compared with the HF supplement, this being particularly evident at the higher level of supplementation. Supplement type also had marked effects on milk protein composition. These results indicate that high levels of performance can be achieved with dairy cows on grazed pasture with moderate levels of supplementation.

scholarly journals On designing the average lactation curve at the ascending phase

1962 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Aarne Mäkelä
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Comparisons are made between different methods to find the peak production (maximum daily milk yield) and methods to design the average lactation curve at the ascending phase in dairy cows. It was noted that in order to determine the height and location of the maximal producing capacity of a cow in a known lactation period, it is preferable to choose the peak production as a mean of three subsequent best days. It was also noted that the usual methods for drawing the average lactation curves do not give a true picture of the height and location of the peak. The author suggests a method for determining the average lactation curve at the ascending phase by using the averages of both milk productions and times involved in reaching the peak and known fractions (e.g. 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 5/4) of it. In this lactation curve the peak production is the mean of the peaks of individual cows, and the time involved in reaching it is the mean of the durations of the ascending phases of the individual cows.

scholarly journals Relative variability of phenotypic traits and indicators of milk productivity of cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (95) ◽  
pp. 101-107
Author(s):  
Ye. I. Fedorovych ◽  
V. V. Fedorovych ◽  
P. V. Bodnar ◽  
S. I. Fyl ◽  
A. V. Dymchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Relative Variability

The research was conducted on cattle of Black-and-White breed (Holstein and Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed) at LLC “Veleten” Glukhiv district of Sumy region (n = 1956) and PJSC “Breeding Plant “Stepnoy” of Kamyansko-Dniprovsk district of Zaporizhzhia region (n = 1981). Based on retrospective data analysis (“Uniform-Agri” – program of dairy herd management) for the period from 2004 to 2017 it was studied the live weight of cows in growing period (newborns, 6, 12; 18 months, at first insemination and after the first calving), body measurements of heifers (height at shoulders, chest depth, chest width, chest girth behind the shoulder blades, oblique body length, width of hips, wrist girth) and traits of reproducibility (age at first insemination, age at first calving, duration of service period, insemination index, fertility index) and milk productivity of cows (milk yields for 305 days, fat and protein content in milk for the first, second and third lactation). Based on our previously obtained data by correlation analysis method it was studied the relative variability of phenotypic traits and indicators of dairy productivity of cows. It is established that the connections of live weight of cows during their rearing with traits of milk productivity were multidirectional and ranged from slightly improbable to moderately significant values. At the same time, in both farms, the most significant highly probable connection was noted between the live weight of animals at the age of 12 months and the milk yield of first-borns that indicates the possibility of selecting heifers at the specified age to provide them future high milk productivity. There was significant variability of the relationship between body measurements and the amount of milk yield of cows for the first, second and third lactation. However, cows of both farms, had direct connection, but a bit weaker in animals at PJSC “Breeding Plant “Stepnoy”. Positive correlation coefficients between indicators of exterior and milk yields of cows give reasons to claim the efficiency of indirect selection of heifers by body measurements. Rational management of dairy farming and high profits depend a lot on knowledge of regularities of correlative variability of productive traits of cows and indicators of reproductive capacity. It is established that the connections between the traits of milk productivity and reproductive capacity of animals were different and ranged from weak to medium and from reliable to improbable. The most significant highly reliable, however, with negative correlation coefficients were observed between milk yield of cows for all studied lactations and their age at the first insemination and the first calving

scholarly journals Whole-grain cereal voluntary intake and preference in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. e0603
Author(s):  
Pedro González-Redondo ◽  
Francisco P. Caravaca ◽  
Alberto García-Ávarez ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Durum Wheat ◽  
Bread Wheat ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Coturnix Japonica ◽  
Whole Grain ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Positive Correlations

Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) usually fed on ground or pelleted balanced feeds, while whole grains are supplied in alternative systems. Voluntary intake and preference of four whole-grain cereals (durum wheat, bread wheat, triticale and barley) were assessed in Japanese quails. Two experiments were performed: (i) a trial with five batches of six randomly selected quails (three males, three females) allocated to each treatment consisting of one cereal or a balanced feed (control) in the voluntary intake experiment; and (ii) a trial with four bird batches receiving simultaneously the four cereals in the preference experiment. Three repetitions of each trial were performed. When feedstuffs were provided as a sole feed, voluntary feed intake differed, being the highest in quails fed the balanced feed (20.0 g/d), intermediate for durum wheat (15.0 g/d), bread wheat (15.8 g/d) or triticale (15.6 g/d), and the lowest for barley (12.1 g/d). Voluntary intake did not differ between sexes. Positive correlations existed between voluntary feed intake and live weight of quails, being the highest and very strong for the balanced feed, moderate for durum and bread wheat and barley, and weak for triticale. The preference trial showed that quails preferred durum wheat (7.1 g/d), triticale (4.0 g/d), bread wheat (3.0 g/d) and barley (0.3 g/d) in descending order, independently of sex. Positive correlations existed between daily feed intake and live weight of birds for durum and bread wheat. Strong positive correlation existed between bird live weight and total intake when the four cereals were available simultaneously. Differences in voluntary intake and preference among whole-grain cereals should be take into account when used to feed quails.

scholarly journals Effect of feeding urea-molasses blocks with incorporated fenbendazole on grazing dairy heifers naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

2003 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Waruiru ◽  
C.O. Onyando ◽  
R.O. Machuka
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Gastrointestinal Nematodes ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Helminth Infections ◽  
Group I ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Mean

Between June 1999 and August 2000, the effects of feeding medicated urea-molasses supplement blocks on the growth of dairy heifers in a marginal area of central Kenya were assessed by comparing the live-weight gain of supplemented and unsupplemented heifers grazing the same pasture. Thirty-nine heifers with an average age of 9.6 months were initially treated orally with albendazole (10 mg / kg body weight) and assigned to 3 groups : group I was fed urea-molasses blocks with incorporated fenbendazole (MUMB), group II was fed urea-molasses blocks (UMB) and group III heifers (control) received no block supplementation (NBS). Body weights of the heifers and faecal egg counts (FECs) were measured monthly and larval cultures were made of positive faecal samples of each group. The mean cumulative live-weight responses of the MUMB and UMB groups were significantly greater than the NBS group (P < 0.05). However, at the end of the experimental period, the mean weight gain of the MUMB group did not differ from that of the UMB group (P >0.05). The FECs were moderate to low in all groups and decreased progressively with increasing age of the animals; FECs for the urea-molasses-supplemented groups remained significantly lower than those of the NBS group throughout the experimental period (P <0.05). Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus were the predominant nematode genera found in the heifers, but Cooperia, Bunostomum and Oesophagostomum were also present. These results indicate that feeding of urea-molasses blocks substantially reduced production losses attributable to nematode infection of young grazing cattle, and confirms previous observations that well-fed animals are better able to overcome the effects of helminth infections.

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