The effects of sward height and concentrate supplementation on the performance of spring calving dairy cows grazing perennial ryegrass-white clover swards

1994 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Rook ◽  
C. A. Huckle ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractForty-eight spring-calving, Holstein-Friesian cows were continuously stocked on perennial ryegrass-white clover swards maintained at compressed sward heights of 4, 6 or 8 cm and offered 0 (U) or 4 (S) kg concentrates. Milk yields and composition, live weights and intakes (estimated by the n-alkane technique) were recorded for periods 24 May to 27 June (P1) and 28 June to 8 August 1992 (P2) with 4 cm swards not used in P2. Milk and component yields were significantly lower at 4 cm than at 6 or 8 cm in P1 and significantly higher when supplements were offered in both periods with no significant interaction. Herbage intakes were reduced more by supplementation at lower sward heights. Live weight was significantly lower on the 4 cm sward. Fat concentrations were unaffected by height and supplementation in P1 but significantly increased by supplementation in P2. These results suggest that maintaining a sward height of 6 cm offers advantages in terms of individual animal output and output per ha compared with grazing at greater or lower sward heights.

scholarly journals Choice of grazed herbage or maize silage by lactating dairy cows: influence of sward height and concentrate level

2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 1158-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Hernandez-Mendo ◽  
J.D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Concentrate Level ◽  
Friesian Cows

The preference of lactating dairy cows for grazed herbage or maize silage (MS), simultaneously offered ad libitum in the field, was examined at two sward heights (SH 4-6 and 8-10cm) and two concentrate levels (CL 0 and 6kg day-1) in a 2x2 factorial arrangement within a completely randomised experimental design. The experiment lasted 35 days and was carried out in spring using 24 multiparous Holstein Friesian cows. On average, the cows proportionately spent more time grazing than eating MS (0.85:0.15) and even though the higher rate of intake (RI) of dry matter (DM) of MS compared with grazed herbage (76 versus 26g DM min-1), the proportion of total DM intake as herbage was higher compared to that of MS (0.56:0.44). The higher crude protein and low fibre content of grazed herbage appeared to have a higher priority of choice than RI, as the cows chose to graze for longer (grazing time 385 min, MS feeding time 67min) despite the lower RI of herbage. The low proportion MS intake indicated that RI was a secondary factor of choice. Concentrate supplementation had a greater depressing effect on herbage intake than on MS intake. These results suggest that the animals reduce the intake of feed with lower RI when the labor associated to eat is decreased. The factors influencing the choice for herbage over maize silage remain unclear.

Production responses by cows to grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 99-99
Author(s):  
C. A. Huckle ◽  
A. J. Rook ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Present Experiment ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Nitrogen ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Lower Protein ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Friesian Cows

Clements, Huckle and Wilkins (1991) reported that milk yield did not differ significantly between cows grazing grass-clover swards with compressed sward heights maintained at either 4.5 or 6 cm in early season. However, cows grazing the shorter sward produced milk with a lower protein concentration. The feeding of 4 kg concentrates/day resulted in an increase in milk yield at both sward heights but there was no effect on milk constituent concentrations. The present experiment was designed to investigate the effect of a wider range of sward heights and their interaction with concentrate supplementation.Forty eight, multiparous, Holstein Friesian cows with a mean calving date of 21 March were continuously stocked on mixed grass-clover swards. The cows were blocked by calving date, parity and milk yield and randomly allocated to one of six treatments, 0 (U) or 4 kg concentrate supplementation (S) with swards maintained at 4, 6 or 8 cm compressed sward height. Sward heights were maintained by adjusting the grazed area. The swards were permanent pastures which had received no fertilizer nitrogen.

The effect of type of silage and level of concentrate supplementation offered during early lactation on total lactation performance of January/February calving cows

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. J. Steen ◽  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Significant Interaction ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Factorial Design Experiment ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTA 3 × 2 factorial design experiment using 84 British Friesian cows was conducted to assess the effect of offering three types of grass silage and two levels of concentrate supplementation during early lactation on the total lactation performance of cows which calve during January and February. The three types of silage were early-cut wilted (ECW), early-cut unwilted (ECU) and late-cut unwilted (LCU), and the two levels of concentrate supplementation were 538 kg (LC) and 738 kg (HC) during a mean post-calving period of 71 days. The animals had a mean calving date of 29 January and were blocked according to calving date, and allocated at random to the treatments within each block on day 7 of lactation. The treatments were applied from day 7 of lactation until the animals were turned out to pasture on 18 April. Mean milk yields for the indoor period were: HC treatments 1963 (ECW), 1979 (ECU) and 1830 (LCU); LC treatments 1938 (ECW), 1942 (ECU) and 1731 (LCU) ± 41·3 kg; and for the total lactation were: HC treatments 5375 (ECW), 5438 (ECU) and 5284 (LCU); LC treatments 5509 (ECW), 5529 (ECU) and 5316 (LCU) ± 184·1 kg. There was no significant interaction between silage type and level of concentrate supplementation.Milk composition, animal live weight and body condition were not significantly affected by either silage type or level of concentrate supplementation.

An investigation of the effect of initial milk yield level on the response to sward height and concentrate supplementation in grazing dairy cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
R. Pulido ◽  
J.D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows

The increase of milk yield potential of dairy cows raises a number of questions relating to their management at pasture where the intake potential might be limiting. The interaction of initial milk yield (IMY), sward availability (SH) and level of concentrate supplementation (CI) is largely unknown.Two experiments of 42 and 24 days in spring and midsummer were carried out with 45 and 27 Holstein Friesian cows respectively. In spring, five IMY groups (range 16.9 to 35.5 kg/day) and in midsummer three IMY groups (range 22.2 to 31.8 kg/day) were used. In both periods, three compressed sward height(3 to 5, 5 to 7 and 7 to 9 cm) and three CI (0, 3 and 6 kg/day, with 160 g CP/kg DM, 12.8 MJ ME/kg DM) were used. The grazing area consisted of 7.9 ha of perennial ryegrass which was set stocked. The herbage intake (HDMI) was estimated indirectly from individual cow performance. Grazing time (GT) was recorded for each cow on 24 hour observations. Multiple regression analyses were carried out relating the dependent variables herbage intake, grazing behaviour and milk production to the independent variables (IMY, SH, CI).

A note on the estimation of the body fat, protein and energy content of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows by measurement of condition score and live weight

1993 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Gibb ◽  
W. E. Ivings
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Subjective Condition ◽  
Friesian Cows

The relationships between body composition, live weight (LW) and subjective condition score (CS) were examined in an experiment in which 54, second to fourth parity, lactating autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were slaughtered at 0, 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 19, 24 and 29 weeks post partum. Multiple regression analyses showed the weight of fat and the quantity of energy within the body were significantly correlated with both LW and CS. The weight of crude protein showed a linear correlation with LW. These results are discussed and compared with previously published investigations with non-lactating dairy cows.

Body composition and performance of autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during lactation: food intake, milk constituent output and live weight

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 100-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.D Sutton ◽  
K. Aston ◽  
D.E Beever ◽  
W.J. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Friesian Cows

The importance of measuring partition between body and milk in dairy cows and identifying the factors underlying it has long been recognised. However accurate measurements of partition In the body are few because of the difficulty and expense of the techniques.The purpose of the present experiment was to measure the effects in autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows given grass silage ad libitum of amount of concentrate and stage of lactation on body composition by direct (Gibb et al 1992a, b) and Indirect (Kings et al 1992) techniques, adipose tissue metabolism (Walsh et al 1992) and milk production. In a related trial, energy balance was measured in other cows by Indirect calorimetry (Cammell et al 1992).This report covers silage Intake, milk production and live-weight change. Communications on the associated studies are given in the Proceedings of this Meeting.

Production and composition of milk by dairy cows fed common vetch or lupin grain as protein supplements to a silage and pasture-based diet in early lactation

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 633 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Valentine ◽  
BD Bartsch
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Common Vetch ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Clover Pasture ◽  
Friesian Cows

Milk production and composition were measured for 49 days in early lactation in 40 Holstein-Friesian cows fed 8 kg/day (fresh weight) of 1:1 mixtures of either rolled barley-lupin grain (Lupinus angustifolius L. cv. Gungurru) or barley-common vetch grain (Vicia sativa L. cv. Blanche Fleur). All cows were fed 1 kg/day of a pelleted concentrate containing minerals and vitamins, and wilted perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture silage was available ad libitum with restricted grazing of perennial ryegrass-subterranean clover pasture. Cows ate all of the barley-lupin grain and barley-vetch grain mixtures. Mean daily dry matter intakes of silage (kg/cow.day) were 9.9 and 9.8 for cows fed the barley-lupin grain and barley-vetch grain mixtures respectively. Estimated pasture DM intake was 3.0 kg/cow.day. Mean daily yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) were significantly (P<0.001) greater for cows fed the barley-lupin grain mixture (30.3, 1.30 and 0.92 respectively) than for those fed the barley-vetch grain mixture (27.7, 1.23 and 0.87 respectively). Cows fed the barley-vetch grain mixture gained 0.2 kg/day more liveweight than those fed the barley-lupin grain mixture. Although both common vetch grain and lupin grain were readily eaten by dairy cows, when fed as protein supplements to a high quality silage and pasture-based diet in early lactation, cows fed the vetch grain produced less milk and milk components. This may be related to the greater partitioning of nutrients to liveweight gain rather than to toxicity problems in the cows fed vetch grain.

scholarly journals Methane emissions by dairy cows fed increasing proportions of white clover (Trifolium repens) in pasture

2004 ◽  
pp. 151-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Lee ◽  
S.L. Woodward ◽  
G.C. Waghorn ◽  
D.A. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Ch4 Production ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Cow Performance

Methane (CH4) production from ruminant digestion has a significant impact on the New Zealand greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and represents a loss of about 10% of metabolisable energy (ME) intake. Previous trials with sheep and cattle have demonstrated significantly lower methane losses per unit feed intake from legumes compared to grass dominant pasture. Most trials have compared forages fed as sole diets but white clover (Trifolium repens) is usually fed with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as a mixed pasture, as it complements ryegrass for animal production. An indoor feeding trial was conducted in December 2003 with thirty-two Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in mid-lactation to determine effects of increasing proportions of white clover on methane emissions and cow performance. Cows were housed indoors and fed perennial ryegrass with 0, 15, 30 or 60% white clover ad libitum on a dry matter (DM) basis. Increasing proportions of white clover resulted in linear increases in dry matter intakes (DMI) and reductions in methane per kg DM eaten, although the extent to which CH4 production/kg DMI was lowered was less than anticipated from previous measurements from sheep fed white clover as a sole diet. DMI of cows fed 60% white clover was 20.5 vs. 15.6 kg DM/cow/day for 100% perennial ryegrass (P

The relationship between milk production potential and herbage intake of grazing dairy cows

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.T. Butler ◽  
G.K. Stakelum ◽  
J.J. Murphy ◽  
L. Delaby ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe objective of this trial was to examine the daily herbage requirement and grass dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy cows of different levels of milk production with rotational grazing and optimum grazing conditions. The daily herbage allowance (DHA) that was required was defined as the allowance that permitted the herds to graze to a post-grazing sward height (SHA) of 70 mm. Four herds of 15 primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were assembled with similar characteristics but different milk production potentials. The herds grazed separately and were offered a DHA such that the SHA was 70 mm for all herds. The daily yield per cow, for the 4 weeks prior to the start of the experiment (PMY), was 17·4, 19·8, 21·8 and 24·3 kg milk (s.e.0·20, P < 0·001), 0·72, 0·78, 0·87 and 0·93 kg fat (s.e. 0·021, P < 0·001), 0·59, 0·66, 0·71 and 0·77 kg protein (s.e. 0·009, P < 0·001) for herds 1 to 4, respectively. The experiment began on 30 June and finished on 16 August. The swards offered were 18-day re-growths following a previous defoliation by grazing. Herbage mass pre- and post-grazing was 2143 (s.e.33·3) and 622 (s.e.18·2) kg dry matter (DM) per ha above 40 mm, respectively and were similar for the four herds. The DHA was 21·2, 21·9, 22·9 and 23·9 (s.e. 0·13, P < 0·001) kg DM per cow above 40 mm. Individual cow grass DMI was determined once during the experimental period using the alkane technique. Experimental milk yield (EMY) was 15·1, 17·4, 18·6 and 20·8 (s.e. 0·33, P < 0·001) kg per cow per day. DMI was 14·5, 15·4, 15·5 and 16·1 (s.e. 0·47, P > 0·05). Variations in DMI were best described by the relationship: DMI = 0·85 (s.e. 3·038) + 0·32 (s.e. 0·082) ✕ EMY + 0·012 (s.e. 0·0054) ✕ experimental live weight + 2·10 (s.e. 0·738) ✕ weight gain + 0·020 (s.e. 0·0085) ✕ days in milk (residual s.d. = 1·477 and r = 0·75). EMY was linked to DMI and PMY according to the expression: EMY = –0·64 (s.e. 1·532) + 0·256 (s.e. 0·0865) ✕ DMI + 0·705 (s.e. 0·0620) ✕ PMY (residual s.d. = 1·204 and r = 0·872). It is concluded that higher yielding herds require higher DHA and this is associated with higher DMI of those herds.

Ingestive behaviour of cows grazing grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 146-146
Author(s):  
A. J. Rook ◽  
C. A. Huckle ◽  
P. D. Penning ◽  
R. J. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Social Facilitation ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Ingestive Behaviour ◽  
Friesian Cows

Huckle, Rook and Wilkins (1993) have reported elsewhere in this meeting the production responses of cows grazing grass-clover swards maintained at different heights with or without concentrate supplementation. In order to understand these responses more fully the ingestive behaviour of the animals was studied in detail.Multlparous Holstein-Friesian cows with a mean calving date of 21 March were continuously stocked on mixed grass-clover swards. The cows were blocked by calving date, parity and milk yield in week two of lactation and randomly allocated to one of six treatments, 0 (U) or 4 kg (3.44 kg DM) (S) concentrate supplementation (180 g CP/kg DM, 12.8 MJ ME/kg DM) with swards maintained at 4, 6 or 8 cm compressed (rising plate) sward height by adjusting the grazed area. In order to avoid the possibility of social facilitation occurring between supplemented and unsupplemented animals, two paddocks were maintained at each sward height with the concentrate treatments alternating daily between the paddocks at each height. Jaw movements were recorded automatically over a 24 hour period for a different cow on each treatment for each of 6 days between 15 and 25 June 1992, using the apparatus described by Huckle, Clements and Penning (1989).

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