scholarly journals The relationship between genetic merit for yield and live weight, condition score, and energy balance of spring calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows on grass based systems of milk production

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-303
Author(s):  
F. Buckley ◽  
P. Dillon ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
R.F. Veerkamp
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Pedigree Information ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Weight Condition ◽  
Condition Score

AbstractThe objective of this study was to estimate the effects of genetic merit for milk yield on energy balance (EB), dry matter intake (DMI), and fertility for cows managed on three different grass based feeding systems, and to estimate possible interactions between genetic merit and feeding system. Individual animal intake estimates were obtained at pasture on 11 occasions across three grazing seasons. The data set contained 96 first lactation animals in 1995, 96 second lactation animals in 1996, and 72 third lactation animals in 1997. Half of these animals were of high (HG), and half of medium genetic merit (MG) for milk solids production. Genetic effects for the traits of interest were estimated as the contrast between the two genetic groups, and by the genetic regression of phenotypic performance on the estimated breeding value for fat and protein yield, based on pedigree information alone (PI). Significant effects of feeding system were observed on yields, DMI and EB, whereas there was no effect on live weight, condition score or reproductive performance. The interaction between genetic merit and feeding system was not significantly different from zero for any of the traits. Yields, grass DMI, and total DMI were all higher for HG than for MG, and also positively correlated (P<0.001) with PI. Furthermore, condition score, conception to first and second service, and pregnancy rate were significantly negatively correlated with PI. While at pasture, EB was positively (P<0.01) correlated with PI, although the contrast between HG and MG was not significantly different from zero. Condition score changes during very early lactation, demonstrated that HG had a more negative EB than MG. The results clearly illustrate the production potential of HG cows on grass based systems, however the reduced reproductive performance questions their suitability for seasonal calving systems.

The effect of strain of Holstein-Friesian cow and feeding system on reproductive performance in seasonal-calving milk production systems

2004 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Horan ◽  
J. F. Mee ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
P. O' Connor ◽  
P. Dillon
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
North American ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Feeding Systems

AbstractThree strains of Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows: high production North American (HP), high durability North American (HD) and New Zealand (NZ) were assigned, within strain, to one of three pasture-based feeding systems: Moorepark (MP), high concentrate (HC), and high stocking rate (HS). The effects of strain of HF, feeding system and parity on milk production, body condition score (BCS), live weight, energy balance and reproductive performance were studied using a repeated measures model with a factorial arrangement of strain ofHF and feeding systems. Associations between these variables and conception to first service (CONCEPT1), conception to first and second service (CONCEPTl_2), pregnancy rate at 6 weeks (PREG6) and overall pregnancy rate (PREG) were assessed using logistic regressions. When treatment means were compared, the NZ strain had a shorter gestation length and a higher CONCEPT1J2 than both the HP and HD strains. Similarly, the NZ strain had a higher PREG6 and PREG than the HP strain. Feeding system had no significant effect on reproductive performance. The HP strain had the highest milk yield at first AI and peak milk yield, the NZ strain had the lowest milk yield while the HD strain was intermediate. The energy balance of the NZ strain was higher than that of the HP and HD strains. The NZ strain had the lowest live weight and highest BCS; the HD strain had the highest live weight and the HP strain had the lowest BCS. The results show that dairy cows with superior genetic merit for fertility traits have better reproductive performance.

Genetic evaluation of dairy bulls for energy balance traits using random regression

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Coffey ◽  
G. C. Emmans ◽  
S. Brotherstone
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Energy State ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Random Regression ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Body Energy

AbstractCurrent selection objectives for dairy cattle breeding may be favouring cows that are genetically predisposed to mobilize body tissue. This may have consequences for fertility since cows may resume reproductive activity only once the nadir of negative energy balance (NEB) has passed. In this study, we repeatedly measured food intake, live weight, milk yield and condition score of Holstein cattle in their first lactation. They were given either a high concentrate or low concentrate diet and were either selected or control animals for genetic merit for kg milk fat plus milk protein. Orthogonal polynomials were used to model each trait over time and random regression techniques allowed curves to vary between animals at both the genetic and the permanent environmental levels. Breeding values for bulls were calculated for each trait for each day of lactation. Estimates of genetic merit for energy balance were calculated from combined breeding values for either (1) food intake and milk yield output, or (2) live weight and condition-score changes.When estimated from daily fluxes of energy calculated from food intake and milk output, the average genetic merit of bulls for energy balance was approximately -15 MJ/day in early lactation. It became positive at about day 40 and rose to +18 MJ/day at approximately day 150. When estimated from body energy state changes the NEB in early lactation was also -15 MJ/day. It became positive at about day 80 and then rose to a peak of +10 MJ/day. The difference between the two methods may arise either because of the contribution of food wastage to intake measures or through inadequate predictions of body lipid from equations using live weight and condition score or a combination of both. Body energy mobilized in early lactation was not fully recovered until day 200 of lactation. The results suggest that energy balance may be estimated from changes in body energy state that can be calculated from body weight and condition score. Since body weight can be predicted from linear type measures, it may be possible to calculate breeding values for energy balance from national evaluations for production and type. Energy balance may be more suitable as a breeding objective than persistency.

Reproductive performance in Holstein-Friesian cows in relation to genetic merit and level of feeding when grazing pasture

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. Wilkins ◽  
R. C. Dobos ◽  
G. M. Hough ◽  
M. E. Goddard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractOne hundred and eight Holstein-Friesian cows in six herds were run on six separate farmlets over a 5-year period from 1995 to 1999 at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute, on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Three of the herds comprised high genetic merit (HGM) cows — Australian breeding value (ABV) of +49·1 kg for milk fat (F) plus protein (Pr) and three herds comprised low genetic merit (LGM) cows-ABV of 2·3 kg. Within genetic merit groupings, one herd was given 0·34 t (l), one herd was given 0·84 t (m) and one herd 1·71 t (h), of concentrate per cow per lactation. Within each genetic merit group, cows were matched for milk yield and live weight, and over all groups for time of calving and age at the commencement of the study. The 30 paddocks within each farmlet were matched between farmlets for pasture type and pasture growth rate and soil fertility. Half the cows within each herd calved over a 3-month period in spring and the other half in autumn. Strict management criteria ensured that there was no bias towards particular treatment groups.HGM cows were ‘open’ (days from calving to conception) for 8 days longer than the LGM cows (99 v. 91 days). The lHGM cows took 11 days longer to commence luteal phase activity and 21 days longer to first observed oestrus post calving than hLGM cows (P < 0·001), with the other groups being intermediate.After 24 days of mating, 22% of lHGM cows were pregnant, and this was less than half of the rate of the best herd-mLGM. After 9 weeks of mating, the chances of an LGM cow being pregnant was 87% greater than an HGM cow. After 12 weeks of mating, 70% of lHGM cows were pregnant compared with a mean pregnancy rate of 87% for the LGM cows.The number of cows treated for abnormal ovarian activity (anoestrus, cystic) was highest (P < 0·001) in the HGM herds given ‘l’ and ‘m’ levels of concentrate compared with the remaining herds (0·24 v. 0·12 treatments per cow mated, respectively).There was a significant positive relationship between live-weight change from 4 weeks before, to the start of, the mating period and the chances of a cow being pregnant at 24 days (P < 0·05) and at 6 and 9 weeks after the commencement of mating.There was a significant negative relationship (P < 0·001) between the change in daily F plus Pr yield, from the start to 4 weeks after mating began, and pregnancy rate at 9 weeks. The change in F plus Pr yield was +63 g/day for cows pregnant at nine weeks as opposed to +154 g/day for cows not pregnant.The results of the present study indicate that the reproductive performance of HGM cows, with a mean of 61% North American (NA) genes, is lower than LGM cows (22% NA genes) under a predominantly pasture-based system of farming. The influence on reproduction was possibly due to genes favouring partitioning of energy to milk yield rather than body-condition maintenance in the HGM cows and when food intake was inadequate, then being more willing to use body reserves.These reproductive problems may be reduced by more intensive reproductive management. However, such practices are costly and time consuming. Another approach may be to ensure that live-weight loss over the mating period is minimized by strategic supplementary feeding.

Effects of rearing regime on body size, reproductive performance and milk production during the first lactation in high genetic merit dairy herd replacements

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Carson ◽  
L. E. R. Dawson ◽  
M. A. McCoy ◽  
D. J. Kilpatrick ◽  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score

AbstractOne hundred and thirteen high genetic merit Holstein-Friesian heifers were used in a study to determine the effect of rearing regime, in terms of diet offered and target calving weight, on body size, reproductive performance and milk production in high genetic merit heifers. Eighty of the heifers were supplied from 11 commercial farms, the remainder were supplied from the herd at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland. The heifers commenced the experiment at 7 weeks of age when they were allocated on the basis of source, live weight and genetic merit to one of four rearing regimes. The target weights at calving were 540 kg (treatment 1) and 620 kg (treatments 2, 3 and 4). Treatment 1 heifers were offered grass silage-based diets during the winter and grass-based diets during the summer. Treatment 2 heifers were offered the same forage base plus additional concentrate supplementation. Treatment 3 heifers were offered a straw/concentrate diet during the winter and grass-based diets during the summer. Treatment 4 heifers received the same diets as treatment 3, except for the first summer period when they remained housed and were offered a straw/concentrate diet. The heifers were mated at 14 months of age and were returned to the 11 source farms one month prior to calving. Heifers reared on treatment 1 had a lower withers height (P < 0·001) and were of a lower condition score (P < 0·001) before calving than heifers reared on treatments 2, 3 and 4. During early lactation (3 months post calving) heifers reared on treatment 1 lost less weight and condition score than the heifers reared on the other treatments. Thus at the end of the first lactation live weights did not differ significantly between the treatments. However, body length remained shorter (P < 0·01) in treatment 1 compared with treatments 2, 3 and 4. First lactation milk yield (305 days) was lower for heifers reared on treatment 1 (7222 l) compared with heifers reared on treatment 2 (8020 l) (P < 0·01), 3 (7956 l) (P < 0·01) and 4 (7901 l) (P < 0·05). Similarly, milk fat plus protein yield was lower (P < 0·05) for heifers reared on treatment 1 (511 kg) compared with treatments 2 (544 kg), 3 (544 kg) and 4 (554 kg). The interval from calving to first recorded oestrus was shorter in treatment 1 compared with treatments 2 and 3 (P < 0·05). There was a tendency (P < 0·10) for heifers reared on treatment 1 to have a shorter calving interval (394 days) compared with treatments 2 (426 days), 3 (435 days) and 4 (458 days). In conclusion increasing the live weight of Holstein-Friesian heifers at first calving from 540 to 620 kg pre-calving increased milk yield proportionally by 0·11 but tended to increase the calving interval. Diet type during the rearing period had no effect on milk fat plus protein yield or reproductive performance.

The effects of plane of nutrition and diet type on metabolic hormone concentrations, growth and milk production in high genetic merit dairy herd replacements

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Carson ◽  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
J.D.G. McEvoy ◽  
M. McCoy ◽  
L.E.R. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Metabolic Hormone ◽  
Diet Type

AbstractSeventy high genetic merit Holstein heifers were used in two experiments to investigate (1) the effects of plane of nutrition and diet type during the pre-pubertal period and (2) the effects of plane of nutrition during the post-pubertal period on metabolic hormone concentrations, growth and milk production. In experiment 1, treatment 1 and 2 heifers were given food to achieve a live-weight gain of 0·70 and 0·95 kg/day from 3 to 10 months of age on a grass silage based diet, while treatment 3 heifers were given food to achieve 0·95 kg/day on a barley straw/concentrate diet. During the pre-pubertal period, heifers reared on treatment 1 had significantly higher growth hormone(GH) concentrations (ng/ml per 1 h) than heifers reared on treatment 2 (P < 0·01) and had significantly lower insulin concentrations than heifers reared on treatment 3 (P < 0·01). Heifers reared on treatment 1 had significantly lower insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) concentrations than those reared on treatment 3 (P < 0·01). At 10 months of age heifers reared on treatment 1 were of lower condition score (P < 0·01) than those on treatment 2 and had a smaller heart girth diameter (P < 0·01) than those on treatments 2 and 3. During the first lactation, milk yield and composition produced by the heifers was not significantly affected by treatment. In experiment 2, treatment A heifers were given, from 14 to 24 months of age, a low plane of nutrition to allow a live-weight gain of 0·65 kg/day on a grass silage and grass based diet during the winter and summer periods respectively. Treatment B heifers were kept on a high plane of nutrition to allow a live-weight gain of 0·90 kg/day on the same forage along with concentrate supplementation. During the rearing period, GH and IGF-1 concentrations were not significantly affected by treatment. Treatment A heifers weighed less before calving (P < 0·05), had a lower condition score (P < 0·01), and had a smaller heart girth diameter (P < 0·01) than those on treatment B. During the first 10 weeks of lactation, heifers on treatment A had a higher silage dry matter intake and lost less weight (P < 0·05) than those on treatment B, however, by 20 weeks of lactation these effects had disappeared. Milk yield and composition during the first lactation were not significantly affected by treatment. Overall, the findings of experiments 1 and 2 did not show any beneficial effects of higher weights at first calving in high genetic merit Holsteins and therefore indicate that accelerated growth in the pre- or post-pubertal period may not be required.

Prediction of energy status in first lactation dairy heifers

1985 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ducker ◽  
Rosemary A. Haggett ◽  
W. J. Fisher ◽  
S. V. Morant
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Condition Score

ABSTRACTData from a large controlled experiment to investigate the effect of level of nutrition on reproductive performance were used to assess the value of production and blood measures as indicators of energy status in lactating dairy heifers. Live-weight change showed the strongest and most consistent relationship to mean energy balance (the difference between metabolizable energy intake and that used for milk production and maintenance) (P < 0·01 to P < 0·001). Body-condition score at a particular time was more closely related to mean energy balance in the preceding 4-week period (P < 0·05) than current energy balance. There was also a lag in the relationship between energy balance and live-weight change and mean body-condition score. Ultrasonic back fat measurements were significantly correlated with both loin and tailhead body-condition score (P < 0·001) but were more strongly related to mean energy balance in the preceding period (P < 0·05 to P < 0·001) than the body-condition scores.Blood samples were taken from all heifers 2 weeks before calving and 1, 5, 9, 13 and 18 weeks after calving and were analysed for 13 constituents. Concentrations of blood metabolites did not show consistently strong correlations with mean energy balance. The only blood metabolite to be measurably affected by the nutritional treatments applied in lactation was β-hydroxybutyrate.At best, combinations of production measures and blood metabolites were only able to predict the mean daily energy balance with a 95% confidence interval of ±20 MJ for an individual animal although this confidence interval was reduced to ±3 MJ for 100 animals.

The effect of level of nutrition prior to mating on the reproductive performance of ewes of two welsh breeds in different levels of body condition

1991 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
T. J. Maxwell ◽  
D. A. Sim ◽  
J. R. Jones ◽  
M. E. James
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
High Surface ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Body Condition Scores

ABSTRACTThe effects of high-low (HL) and low-high (LH) patterns of nutrition during the 5 weeks prior to a synchronized mating were studied on the reproductive performance of 115 Welsh Mountain and 114 Brecknock Cheviot ewes in a range of body condition at the start of treatment. For 2 months prior to treatment imposition, ewes were grazed in a systematic way at different stocking rates on different sward heights to obtain a range of body condition scores. Target score groupings were 2·00 to 2·25, 2·50 to 2·75 and 3·00 to 3·25 and although scores of 1·50 to 3·25 were obtained, most lay in the 2·00 to 2·75 range. Two treatment groups, balanced for live weight and body condition score, received high and low levels of nutrition for 16 days from mid October, achieved, respectively, by a low stocking rate on a sward with a high surface height plus ad libitum concentrate and a high stocking rate on a sward with a low surface height plus 200 g hay per head per day. Treatments were then reversed for the 17 days prior to mating. Live-weight and body condition-score changes were recorded and reproductive performance at first mating was measured from counts of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter either at return to service or at 4 weeks after first mating. There were no differences due to nutritional pattern in live weight or body condition score at mating. The LH treatment significantly increased the rates of ovulation, conception, multiple ova survival and potential lambing per ewe pregnant and per ewe mated in the Welsh Mountain breed but significantly increased only the rates of ovulation and potential lambing per ewe pregnant in the Brecknock Cheviot breed compared with the HL treatment. The relatively poorer response in the latter breed was partially due to a lower ovulation rate potential coupled with non-significantly lower rates of conception and survival of single-shed ova associated with the LH treatment. Much of this relatively poorer reproductive performance in the Brecknock Cheviot breed was in ewes with body condition scores 3= 2·75. Reproductive performance increased with increasing body condition at the start of treatment over the range of scores =≤ 2·25 to 2·50 in both breeds and, while continuing to improve in scores above 2·50 in the Welsh Mountain breed, in the Brecknock Cheviot breed it started to decline. Ewes with a body condition score of 2·50 in both breeds showed the greatest response in potential lambing rate to the LH treatment.

The effect of cow genetic index and grass-based feeding system on the performance of spring-calving Holstein-Friesian cows in second lactation

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
P. Dillon ◽  
F. Buckley ◽  
S. Snijders ◽  
S. Crosse
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Live Weight Gain ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Index ◽  
Feeding Systems

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effect of both cow genetic index (CGI) and feeding system on the performance of second lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows on grass-based feeding systems. There was no interaction between CGI and feeding system for any of the parameters measured. Cows of high genetic index (HGI) produced significantly higher yields of milk (P < 0.001), fat (P < 0.001) protein (P < 0.0001) and lactose (P < 0.001) than medium genetic index cows (MGI). CGI had no effect on the concentration of milk constituents. Averaged across four intake measurements the HGI cows had significantly (P < 0.001) higher grass dry-matter intake (GDMI) and total dry-matter intake (TDMI). Live weight was similar for both genotypes during lactation. The HGI cows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher live-weight loss in the first 10 weeks of lactation, significantly lower live-weight gain from week 10 to the end of lactation and higher (P < 0.05) live-weight gain during the dry period. Condition score was significantly lower with the HGI (P < 0.001) at all stages of lactation. There was a higher proportion (P < 0.05) of the HGI cows non-pregnant at the end of the 13-week breeding season. Feeding system had a significant effect on the yield of milk (P < 0.001), fat (P < 0.001), protein (P < 0.001) and lactose (P < 0.001). Feeding system B produced significantly higher (P < 0.05) milk yield and yield of constituents (when compared with feeding systems A and C). Over the period when feeding systems were being applied, feeding system C had significantly higher (P < 0.05) milk protein concentration. Feeding system had a significant effect (P < 0.001) on both GDMI and TDMI. Feeding system had no effect on live weight, condition score or fertility performance.

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