Effect of spring versus autumn grass/clover silage and rapeseed supplementation on milk production, composition and quality in Jersey cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 430-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Krogh Larsen ◽  
Stefania Vogdanou ◽  
Anne Louise F. Hellwing ◽  
Iga Rybicka ◽  
Martin Riis Weisbjerg

The composition of grass/clover silage varies depending on time of harvest time. In particular silage from late regrowths is expected to contain lower fibre and higher linolenic acid concentrations compared to spring growth, thereby autumn silage is expected to increase linolenic acid content of milk fat. Rapeseed supplementation is expected to increase milk production and to increase all C18 fatty acids in milk fat. An interaction between rapeseed and silage type is expected, as hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids in rapeseed is expected to be less when low fibre silage is fed. Thirty-six Jersey cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, for 4 periods of 3 weeks and with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: spring grass/clover silage from primary growth or autumn grass/clover silage which was an equal mixture of 3rd regrowth and 4th regrowth, with or without rapeseed supplementation. Dry matter intake and milk production was higher for autumn than for spring silage. Rapeseed supplementation did not affect dry matter intake, but increased milk production. The concentrations of C18 : 1cis9, C18 : 2n6 and β-carotene and C18 : 3n3 in milk were increased whereas the concentrations of C16 : 0, riboflavin and α-tocopherol were decreased with autumn silage. The majority of C18 FAs in milk and α-tocopherol concentration increased with rapeseed whereas C11 : 0 to C16 : 0 FA were reduced. Autumn silage reduced biohydrogenation of C18 : 2n6, whereas rapeseed increased biohydrogenation of C18 : 2n6 and reduced biohydrogenation of C18 : 3n3. Apparent recovery of C18 : 2n6 was reduced with rapeseed. Minor interaction effects of silage type and rapeseed addition were observed for some milk fatty acids. Feeding silage from late regrowth increased linolenic acid concentration in milk fat. Rapeseed inclusion increased milk production, and increased C18 : 0 as well as C18 : 1 fatty acids, but not C18 : 2 and C18 : 3 in milk fat. Interactions between silage type and rapeseed supplementation were minimal.

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
H V Petit

Flaxseed contains approximately 55% of total fatty acids of the oil as ?-linolenic acid and is rich in lignans, which are strong antioxidants. Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are known to have beneficial effects on human health such as a decrease in the incidence of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and arthritis. Flaxseed could then be an interesting natural feed to consider for changing milk composition. Cyanogenic glycosides (linustatin and neolinustatin) are present in flaxseed, but the concentration of hydrocyanic acid is very low in milk and ruminal fluid of cows fed flaxseed products. In general, feeding up to 15% of the total dry matter as whole flaxseed has a limited effect on dry matter intake. Heat treatments such as micronization and extrusion have no effect on dry matter intake and the effect of formaldehyde treatment on feed intake is unclear. The effects of flaxseed supplementation on milk production of dairy cows in the early stage of lactation have been neutral. Diet supplementation with whole flaxseed has had no effect on milk yield and composition of dairy cows in the mid or late stages of lactation. Physical processing of flaxseed increased milk production although heat treatment did not. Results on the effect of flaxseed processing on overall milk fat concentration have been controversial, but heat and formaldehyde treatments had no effect. Flaxseed supplementation had no effect on milk fat and protein concentrations, and processing of flaxseed had little effect. The extent of change in the concentration of fatty acids in milk is generally proportional to the level of inclusion of flaxseed in the diet. In conclusion, feeding flaxseed does not affect milk production or composition in the large majority of studies, but its long-term effects on health of cows and productivity still need to be determined.Key words: Review, flax, dairy


Author(s):  
C. A. Moran ◽  
M. Morlacchini ◽  
G. Fusconi

SummaryThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of 6 g/kg dry matter intake of an unextracted Aurantiochytrium limacinum algae (AURA) in mid-lactation Italian Friesian cows under commercial conditions on milk yield, milk composition and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content. Cows were allocated to two groups (n = 18; 108.2 ± 66.1 and 104.4 ± 54.6 days in milk, control and treated groups, respectively). Feeding AURA for 84 d had no effect on dry matter intake, body condition score or weight gain, but did improve milk yield by 1.9 kg/cow/d (+5.4%; P < 0.1) over the course of the experiment. Milk fat concentration declined by 12% (P < 0.0001) without any significant change in 4% fat corrected milk, protein or lactose. Supplementing AURA for 12 weeks substantially altered the fatty acid profile of milk compared with milk from CON-fed cows such that the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased, omega-3 fatty acid content increased by 73.1% (P < 0.0001) and was accompanied by a favourable increase in the omega-3:6 fatty acid ratio by 75.0% (P < 0.0001). The AURA supplement, during day 7–84, increased the DHA concentration to 0.37 g /100 g milk total fatty acids (P < 0.0001) with a mean transfer efficiency of 18.1% from feed to milk. Together these results indicated that supplementing a dairy cow diet with DHA-rich microalgae is a feasible and efficient means for creating DHA-enriched milk for human consumption.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1256
Author(s):  
Senén De La Torre-Santos ◽  
Luis J. Royo ◽  
Adela Martínez-Fernández ◽  
Cristina Chocarro ◽  
Fernando Vicente

The optimization of milk production includes a rational use of forages, respect for the environment and offers the best quality to consumers. Milk production based on grass and forages produces healthier milk and it is widely spread throughout the Atlantic arc to maximize milk yield per hectare. However, the mode of offering the grass can have a major influence on milk composition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of grass supply mode (grazing, zero-grazing or ensiling) on dairy cows’ performance, with particular reference to fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants concentration. A three by three Latin square experiment was performed with 18 dairy cows. Experimental treatments consisted of exclusive feeding with grass silage and zero-grazing, both offered ad libitum indoors, or grazing for 24 h. The results showed that grazing cows had a higher dry matter intake and greater milk yield than cows feeding on grass silage and zero-grazing, as well as higher concentrations of protein, lactose, nonfat-solids and urea in milk than housed cows. Milk fat from grazing cows had a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids than from cows feeding on grass silage and zero-grazing, with significant differences in the proportion of vaccenic and rumenic acids. The 18:1 trans-11 to 18:1 trans-10 ratio is proposed as biomarker to identify the milk produced from the management system of grazing cattle. Milk from grazing cows had a greater proportion of lutein than cows eating grass silage, with the zero-grazing system having intermediate values. In conclusion, the mode of grass supply affects fatty acid and antioxidant profiles of milk.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Menegazzi ◽  
Pamela Yanina Giles ◽  
Matías Oborsky ◽  
Oliver Fast ◽  
Diego Antonio Mattiauda ◽  
...  

Sward height is strongly related to the daily dry matter intake of grazing dairy cows, which consequently determines animal performance. Despite that, few studies have explored the potential to increase milk production by managing post-grazing sward height. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of three defoliation intensities on a Lolium arundinaceum-based pasture on frequency and length of grazing meals and ruminating bouts, daily grazing and ruminating time, feeding stations and patches exploration, and dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows. The treatments imposed were three different post-grazing sward heights: control (TC), medium (TM), and lax (TL), which were managed with 6, 9, and 12 cm of post-grazing sward heights during autumn and winter, and 9, 12, and 15 cm of post-grazing sward heights during spring, respectively. Thirty-six autumn-calving Holstein cows were grouped by parity (2.6 ± 0.8), body weight (618 ± 48) kg, and body condition score (2.8 ± 0.2) and randomized to the treatments. The pasture was accessed from 08:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 03:00 during spring and no supplement was involved during the evaluation period. Daily grazing time averaged 508 ± 15 min and was not affected by treatment. The reduction of post-grazing sward height increased the length of the first grazing session in the morning and the afternoon. The number of grazing sessions was greater on TL than on TM, with no difference in TC. The number of feeding stations (the hypothetical semi-circle in front of an animal from which the bites were taken without moving the front forefeet) visited was less on TC than on TL, and neither of them differed from TM. Dry matter (DM) intake was lesser on TC than on TM and TL (14.7 vs. 17.8 kg DM). Milk production during the evaluation period was 13.1, 16.2, and 18.7 kg/day for TC, TM, and TL, respectively. The milk fat, protein, and lactose content did not differ between treatments. The cows on TC exhibited a lower intake rate, although they were less selective, probably as a consequence of the sward structure of TC treatment. The cows on TM adopted a compensation mechanism which allowed them to achieve the same dry matter intake as cows on TL, but lower milk production. The cows on TL were more selective than TC and TM resulting in higher digestible dry matter intake and consequently higher milk production. The intensity of defoliation impacts on the animal-plant interaction, and constitutes a valuable management tool that can be used to boost forage intake and milk production. The new developments on information technology would allow researchers to link behavioral data with response variables (e.g., milk production, health, welfare, etc.) at different spatio-temporal scales and support short and long-term management decisions.


1969 ◽  
Vol 84 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
Teodoro M. Ruiz ◽  
Jaime Moyá ◽  
Luis Viera

Three stargrass silage (SGS)-based diets formulated to contain 20, 26 and 32% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were compared as to their effect on dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production. Twelve lactating Holstein cows averaging 110 days in milk were arranged in four replications of a 3 x 3 Latin Square design. Treatments did not affect DMI or DMI as percentage of body weight (BW); mean values for these parameters were 15.4 kg/cow/day and 3.06%, respectively. However, cows consuming 32% NDF diet had a tendency toward lower (8.6%) intake of organic matter (OM) as percentage of BW than cows on the 20% NDF diet. Intake of NDF as a percentage of BW increased (P < 0.01) linearly (0.62 to 0.93%) as dietary NDF concentration increased. Milk production averaged 21.0 kg/cow/day and was not affected by dietary treatment. Reducing dietary NDF from 32 to 20% resulted in a reduction (P < 0.01) in milk fat from 3.09 to 2.66%.This reduction resulted in a 1.3 kg/cow/day increase (P < 0.05) in 3.25% fat-corrected milk (3.25% FCM) as the percentage of dietary NDF increased. Gross efficiency of energy (NEL) use for milk production and 3.25% FCM increased linearly with dietary NDF by 9.7 and 17.3%, respectively. Results point out that for mid-lactation cows at the observed level of production, diets lower than 32% NDF will not result in higher DMI and milk production, and will be less efficient in the use of energy for milk production.


1997 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCIS ENJALBERT ◽  
MARIE CLAUDE NICOT ◽  
CORINE BAYOURTHE ◽  
MICHELE VERNAY ◽  
RAYMOND MONCOULON

Dairy cows fitted with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulas were utilized to investigate the effects of feeding with Ca soaps (CaS) of palm fatty acids (FA) and rapeseed FA. Diets compared were control diet based on maize silage and concentrate, and two diets with 40 g CaS of palm oil FA or rapeseed oil FA/kg diet, replacing part of the concentrates of the control diet. Total digestibilities of dry matter, fibre and fat, and ruminal fermentation were not significantly altered by giving CaS; the extent of ruminal biohydrogenation of total unsaturated C18 FA was significantly reduced by both CaS diets. Apparent intestinal digestibility of FA was not different among diets, although the amount of FA absorbed with the CaS diets was twice that with the control diet. No difference among diets was observed for milk production, or fat and protein contents. Giving CaS diets decreased the proportions of 4[ratio ]0 to 14[ratio ]0 FA in milk fat, and increased cis-18[ratio ]1n−9, compared with control diet. The rapeseed diet lowered the content of 16[ratio ]0, and increased the contents of 18[ratio ]0 and trans-18[ratio ]1n−7. CaS diets did not result in a marked increase of polyunsaturated FA content in milk fat. Butter from cows fed on the CaS diets contained more liquid fat at 6 and 14°C than butter from the cows fed on the control diet. Incorporating CaS, particularly those from rapeseed, in dairy cows' diets increased C18 FA in milk and improved butter spreadability.


2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 979-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leon R. Mitoulas ◽  
Lyle C. Gurrin ◽  
Dorota A. Doherty ◽  
Jillian L. Sherriff ◽  
Peter E. Hartmann

Despite the importance of human milk fatty acids for infant growth and development, there are few reports describing infant intakes of individual fatty acids. We have measured volume, fat content and fatty acid composition of milk from each breast at each feed over a 24h period to determine the mean daily amounts of each fatty acid delivered to the infant from breast milk at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months of lactation in five women. Daily (24h) milk production was 336·60 (sem 26·21) and 414·49 (sem 28·39) ml and milk fat content was 36·06 (sem 1·37) and 34·97 (sem 1·50) g/l for left and right breasts respectively over the course of the first year of lactation. Fatty acid composition varied over the course of the day (mean CV 14·3 (sd 7·7) %), but did not follow a circadian rhythm. The proportions (g/100g total fatty acids) of fatty acids differed significantly between mothers (P<0·05) and over the first year of lactation (P<0·05). However, amounts (g) of most fatty acids delivered to the infant over 24h did not differ during the first year of lactation and only the amounts of 18:3n-3, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 delivered differed between mothers (P<0·05). Mean amounts of 18:2n-6, 18:3n-3, 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 delivered to the infant per 24h over the first year of lactation were 2·380 (sd 0·980), 0·194 (sd 0·074), 0·093 (sd 0·031) and 0·049 (sd 0·021) g respectively. These results suggest that variation in proportions of fatty acids may not translate to variation in the amount delivered and that milk production and fat content need to be considered.


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. V. Petit ◽  
C. Benchaar

A total of 153 lactating Holstein cows averaging 695 kg body weight (standard error = 11) were allotted 6 wk before the expected date of parturition to 51 groups of three cows blocked for similar calving dates to determine the effects of feeding different profiles of fatty acids from 6 wk before calving on feed intake, milk production and composition, conception rate, and embryo mortality in the subsequent lactation. Cows within each block were assigned to one of the three isoenergetic total mixed diets based on either whole flaxseed (FLA), Megalac® (MEG) or micronized soybeans (SOY). Diets were fed for ad libitum intake from 6 wk before calving to day 50 of pregnancy for pregnant cows, or 120 d postpartum for those not diagnosed pregnant after artificial insemination (AI). Diet had no effect on prepartum dry matter intake but postpartum intake was 9% higher for cows fed FLA than for those fed MEG or SOY. Milk production and fat concentration were similar among treatments. Conception rate at first AI was higher for cows fed FLA (54.3%) than for those fed SOY (26.9%). Conception rate at first AI was similar for cows fed FLA and MEG and it was similar for those fed MEG and SOY. Cows fed MEG tended to have higher embryo mortality than those fed FLA (41.7 vs. 10.5%, P = 0.06) and SOY (41.7 vs. 0%, P = 0.08) at first AI and there was no difference among treatments at second AI. Total embryo mortality was similar for cows fed FLA and SOY but cows fed MEG had higher total embryo mortality than those fed SOY (35.3 vs. 9.1%) and there was a trend (P = 0.07) when MEG was compared with FLA (35.3 vs. 9.5%). These data suggest that feeding flaxseed during the prepartum period has little effect on production in the subsequent lactation but could improve fertility of dairy cows. Key words: Dairy, flaxseed, milk production, reproduction, fatty acids


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