The effect of silage preference on the performance of dairy cows

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 7-7
Author(s):  
R.F. Heller ◽  
R.H. Phipps
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Young Stock ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Present Trial

Numerous factors such as the digestibility value, fermentation characteristics and chop length of silage have all been shown to increase the intake and performance of dairy cows.Although the effect of silage preference has been examined with young stock and dry cows there has only been a limited number of studies involving lactating cows.The aim of the present trial was to determine the effect on intake and performance of lactating dairy cows offered either grass silage alone, a mixture of grass and maize silages blended in a ratio of 1:2 or a free choice of grass and maize silages.Thirty-three British Friesians in weeks 17-24 of lactation were used in the study. All animals received 6 kg/d of a concentrate supplement containing 190 g/kg DM of crude protein and 12.8 MJ ME/kg CM and allowed ad libitum access to the silages.

Effect of silage feeding system and concentrate composition on the performance of lactating dairy cows.

1987 ◽  
Vol 1987 ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
R.H. Phipps ◽  
J.D. Sutton ◽  
R.F. Weller
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Major Energy Source ◽  
Frequent Feeding ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Present Trial

The “low milk fat” syndrome and “off feed” problems have long been associated with the use of rations incorporting a high proportion of starch based concentrate. These problems can be ameliorated by frequent feeding of concentrate, the use of out of parlour feeders or complete diets. Another approach has been to examine alternatives to cereal starch as the major energy source for concentrate supplements. Since few comparisons of concentrates containing a mixture of high quality fibre sources have been reported, the present trial was designed to compare concentrates based on cereal starch with those containing a mixture of high quality fibre sources when given with ad libitum grass silage from calving. An additional aim was to compare individual feeding through Calan Broadbent gates with groups fed forage at a self-feed clamp.

The response of January/February calving british friesian cows to level of protein supplementation

1986 ◽  
Vol 1986 ◽  
pp. 8-8
Author(s):  
A Reeve ◽  
R D Baker ◽  
R G Hodson
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Protein Requirements ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Recent Debate ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Present Trial ◽  
General Reduction ◽  
Friesian Cows

There has been much recent debate about the protein requirements of lactatinq dairy cows, and this issue has been heightened by a general reduction in concentrate feeding in response to the imposition of milk quotas. Furthermore, the value of silage as a source of protein has been questioned widely. The objective of the present trial was to determine the effect of increasing supplementary protein on the performance of cows with ad libitum access to high quality grass silage.The trial, using January/February calving British Frieslan cows in second or subsequent lactations, was performed at Ravenscroft Hall Farm, Middlewich, Cheshire. Four groups of 15 cows were offered either 3 or 6 kg/head/day of cereal/soya/fishmeal based compound feeds containing either 214 (L) or 403 (H) g CP/kg DM, and high quality grass silage ad libitum.

Effect of Metabolisable Protein on intake of grass silage and milk protein yield in dairy cows.

1994 ◽  
Vol 1994 ◽  
pp. 113-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Newbold ◽  
B.R. Cottrill ◽  
R.M. Mansbridge ◽  
J.S. Blake
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Protein Yield ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Few Data

Few data are available to evaluate the Metabolisable Protein (MP) System (AFRC, 1992) as an aid to ration formulation for dairy cows. Responses of lactating dairy cows to MP were evaluated in two experiments.In Experiment One, groups of 10 Holstein cows were offered grass silage ad libitum and 7kg DM/d of one of six (treatments 1-6) compound foods from 39d after calving, for eight weeks. All rations were isoenergetic, assuming silage intake of 11kg DM/d (typical for the herd). Ratios between MP supply (calculated from in situ protein degradability measurements) and requirement (calculated for a standard cow: 565kg live weight, 281 milk/d, 40g/kg butterfat, 33g/kg milk protein, liveweight change =0kg/d) were 1.00, 1.02, 1.06, 1.06, 1.1 and 1.17 for treatments 1-6, respectively.

The effects of intraruminal infusions of urea on the voluntary intake and milk production of cows receiving grass silage diets

1990 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jai-Jun Choung ◽  
David G. Chamberlain ◽  
Phillip C. Thomas ◽  
Ian Bradbury
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Insulin In Plasma ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Higher Doses

SummaryResponses of dairy cows given silage diets to the intraruminal infusion of urea in progressively increasing doses were studied in four experiments, two with non-lactating cows and two with lactating cows. No clinical symptoms of NH3 toxicity were observed in any of the experiments. When urea was infused continuously, silage intake was depressed (P < 0·05) when the total supply of N exceeded the equivalent of 250g crude protein (CP)/kg DM in the total diet. However, when the urea load was administered twice daily, as opposed to continuously, intake depression (P < 0·05) occurred at the equivalent of 170g CP/kg DM. At the higher doses of urea, concentrations of NH3 in peripheral blood increased and were accompanied by increased concentrations of glucose and reduced levels of insulin in plasma. In general, responses of milk production followed those of silage intake but there was evidence of greater proportional reductions in the yield of lactose relative to that of fat and protein. It is concluded that the voluntary intake of high-protein silages may be depressed by factors associated with high rates of absorption of NH3 from the rumen.

The relative importance of the amounts of energy and crude protein in the concentrate ration on intake and yields of milk constituents by autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows given grass silage ad libitum

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 98-98
Author(s):  
K. Aston ◽  
J.D. Sutton ◽  
R.D. Baker ◽  
W.J. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Constant Energy ◽  
Energy Value ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Friesian Cows

The response in yields of milk constituents to increases in the amounts of standard dairy concentrate (SC, 200 g crude protein (CP) per kg DM) given to cows consuming grass silage ad libitum were reported recently (Aston et al 1991; Baker et al 1991). A change of level however adjusts the supply of both energy and CP. Previous work also showed .linear responses in silage intake and milk and milk protein yields when CP was increased in a fixed ration of concentrate of constant energy value. In this trial energy and CP levels were varied Independently. The objective was to separate the effects of energy on the performance of lactating cows from those of CP.

Effect of undegradable protein given for six weeks before calving on the performance of dairy cows in the subsequent lactation

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 85-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Dewhurst ◽  
D.W.R. Davies ◽  
W.J. Fisher ◽  
K. Aston
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Unrestricted Access ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Friesian Cows

Previous studies (Moorby et al, 1994) have shown increased yields of protein and lactose in the subsequent lactation as a consequence of feeding additional undegradable dietary protein (UDP) and restricting energy intake during the dry period. This experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of supplementary UDP in the dry period diet of Holstein-Friesian cows given unrestricted access to grass silage and 1.5 kg of barley per day.Sixty-one cows received diets based on ad libitum access to grass silage with either (a) 1.5 kg barley / day or (b) 1.0 kg barley and 0.5 kg Maize Gluten Meal / day. After calving, cows had ad libitum access to grass silage (Metabolisable Energy (ME)=11.3 MJ/kg DM; crude protein (CP)=181 g/kg DM) and received 5 kg/day of concentrates (ME=13.0 MJ/kg DM; CP=250g/kg DM).

The responses of lactating dairy cows to diets based on grass silage of high or low DM and supplemented with fast and slowly fermentable energy sources

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 84-84
Author(s):  
D. L. Romney ◽  
V. Blunn ◽  
J. D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Nutrient Absorption ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Present Trial

It has often been observed that increasing silage DM through wilting increases DM intake, although digestibility and efficiency of utilisation of nutrients tends to decrease, resulting in poor responses in terms of milk yield. Rapid solubilisation of nutrients in the rumen may give rise to rapid nutrient absorption, activating satiety mechanisms and resulting in shorter meals. In the present trial the difference in DM content of the silages was high (>200g/kg). Supplements based on different energy sources were fed to determine whether synchronisation of release of nutrients from the silage and the supplement modified DM intake and feeding behaviour.

The responses of lactating dairy cows to feeding of high molasses levels

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 109-109
Author(s):  
T. Yan ◽  
D. J. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Fish Meal ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Complete Diet ◽  
Inclusion Rate ◽  
Soyabean Meal ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Very High

Molasses has been fed to dairy cows for about a century. Extensive studies have shown that its energy value is worth from 75 to 100% that of maize when up to 10% of molasses is fed in a complete diet and high molasses inclusion in the diet can be detrimental to the responses of the animals. Nevertheless, the maximum inclusion rate of molasses in a diet that cows can tolerate has still been unclear. Few publications are available to describle the responses of cows to very high molasses feeding. This is a question, however, that both farmers and advisers are concious of. The present experiment was designed to evaluate the effects on milk yield and composition, feed intake, liveweight gain and health of lactating cows fed on very high levels of molasses, in comparision with those fed a relatively low level.Fifteen British Friesian late lactation cows (168 ± 6 days calved) all in second lactation or more were randomly allocated to a 3 x 3 changeover experiment with 21 day periods. The cattle were fed individually through Broadbent Calan Gates ad libitum on a complete diet of silage plus a liquid supplement including molaferm 20 (a mixture of 80% cane molasses with 20% condensed molasses solubles supplied by United Molasses Ltd.), soyabean meal and fish meal.

The response by high genetic merit dairy cows to source and concentration of protein in the concentrate

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
I.M. Carrick ◽  
D.C. Patterson ◽  
F.J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Ruminant Diets ◽  
Feed Utilisation ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum

Dairy cow genetic merit continues to increase in the dairy herd. These animals require a higher level of nutritional input than lower genetic merit cows if higher performance levels are to be sustained. The high cost of ingredients for ruminant diets highlights the need for greater precision in ration formulation in order to improve the efficiency of feed utilisation. This experiment was carried out to assess the effect of DUP supplementation on the performance of dairy cows with ad libitum access to grass silage.An experiment was conducted to investigate the response by high genetic merit Holstein Friesian dairy cows (PTA90 fat plus protein = 61 kg) to both source and concentration of protein in the concentrate, given in addition to ad libitum grass silage (metabolisable energy (ME) = 10.9 MJ/kg DM; crude protein (CP) = 166 g/kg DM). Twenty-four cows, including 12 first parity animals (mean days calved 37.5, s.d. 22.3), were blocked according to milk yield, calving date and parity. The experimental design was a balanced changeover with four 4-week periods.

Effect of undegradable protein given for six weeks before calving on the performance of dairy cows in the subsequent lactation

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 85-85
Author(s):  
R.J. Dewhurst ◽  
D.W.R. Davies ◽  
W.J. Fisher ◽  
K. Aston
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Unrestricted Access ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Friesian Cows

Previous studies (Moorby et al, 1994) have shown increased yields of protein and lactose in the subsequent lactation as a consequence of feeding additional undegradable dietary protein (UDP) and restricting energy intake during the dry period. This experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of supplementary UDP in the dry period diet of Holstein-Friesian cows given unrestricted access to grass silage and 1.5 kg of barley per day.Sixty-one cows received diets based on ad libitum access to grass silage with either (a) 1.5 kg barley / day or (b) 1.0 kg barley and 0.5 kg Maize Gluten Meal / day. After calving, cows had ad libitum access to grass silage (Metabolisable Energy (ME)=11.3 MJ/kg DM; crude protein (CP)=181 g/kg DM) and received 5 kg/day of concentrates (ME=13.0 MJ/kg DM; CP=250g/kg DM).

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