Energy and nitrogen metabolism in Holstein-Friesian cows during early lactation

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-514 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Sutter ◽  
D. E. Beever
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Energy Retention ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractEnergy and nitrogen metabolism were examined at weekly intervals during lactation weeks 1 to 8 in Holstein-Friesian cows (no. = 9) offered a diet of hay, maize pellets (whole plant) and concentrates, (barley, maize and soya bean; forage : concentrate ratio 65 : 35), with feeding levels close toad libitum.After calving, the cows lost body weight until week 7, with peak milk yield (35 kg/day) recorded during week 3. Dry-matter intakes increased progressively to week 4 then remained relatively constant. Apparent digestibility of dietary energy was unaffected by stage of lactation but the overall value was low (0·653) indicative of the quantity and quality of long hay in the diet. Metabolizable energy intakes ranged between 163 and 202 MJ/day, with little between-week variation after that between weeks 1 and 2 (P< 0·01). Milk energy output was relatively stable during weeks 1 to 4 but then declined progressively for each remaining week, whilst heat energy output was relatively constant throughout. Estimates of body energy retention indicated the cows were in negative energy balance at all times, being greater in week 1 (64 MJ/day,P< 0·01) than weeks 2 to 4 (mean, 35 MJ/day) or weeks 5 to 8 (22 MJ/day). Digestible nitrogen (N) intake was reduced in week 1, whilst apparent N digestibility declined significantly , with little between-week variation after that between weeks 1 and 2 < 0·05) as lactation progressed. The cows were in negative N balance (–19 g/day) during week 1, with zero (week 2) or positive balances noted thereafter.It is concluded that during early lactation, the extent of body tissue mobilization in average yielding cows can be substantial and prolonged, whilst attainment of positive body N status occurred earlier and was not related to the energy status of the cows.

Performance of Friesian cows with high and low breeding indexes 2. Energy and nitrogen balance experiments with lactating and pregnant, non-lactating cows

1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Grainger ◽  
C. W. Holmes ◽  
Y. F. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Energy Retention ◽  
Gross Energy ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTSix lactating Friesian cows (three high and three low breeding index cows) were subjected to a total of 28 complete energy and nitrogen balances during early and late lactation. In addition, 12 non-lactating Friesian cows (six high and six low breeding index cows) were offered individually pasture indoors for 62 days, beginning at approx. 180 days of pregnancy. Cows within each genotype were randomly allocated to feeding levels which were nominally equivalent to their requirements for maintenance or twice maintenance. Eight of the 12 cows (four high and four low breeding index) were each subjected to two energy balance periods at approx. 210 (period 1) and 230 (period 2) days of pregnancy.When offered pasture ad libitum during lactation, cows with high breeding indexes consumed significantly more gross energy per unit of metabolic live weight (P < 0·05) than did cows with low breeding indexes, but the two genotypes did not differ in their ability to metabolize the gross energy of the food, or in the individual losses of energy in faeces, urine or methane.There were no significant differences between genotypes in their heat production at a common energy intake except during restricted feeding in early lactation when high breeding index cows produced less heat than did low breeding index cows (P < 0·05). During lactation high breeding index cows retained a higher proportion of their total energy retention (milk + body tissue energy) as milk in late lactation (P < 0·01) but not in early lactation.For non-lactating cows, both genotypes required similar amounts of metabolizable energy to maintain zero maternal body energy retention, 0·79 and 0·80 MJ/M0·75 for periods 1 and 2 respectively. The efficiency with which metabolizable energy was converted to net energy (kg) was similar for both genotypes at both stages of pregnancy, the mean value being 0·52. The metabolizable energy required to maintain body condition was estimated to be 0·78 and 0·71 MJ/M0·75 for high and low breeding index cows respectively. The metabolizable energy required in excess of maintenance to promote a gain of one unit of body condition was estimated to be 2290 MJ. This is equivalent to 27 MJ energy retained per kg live-weight gain.For lactating and non-lactating cows the differences between genotypes in their utilization of nitrogen were small and inconsistent.

An evaluation of the effect of nutritional strategy in early lactation on performance and energy status of Holstein Friesian dairy cows

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 79-79
Author(s):  
F J Young ◽  
R A Law ◽  
H S Gilmore ◽  
D C Patterson ◽  
A R G Wylie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Nutritional Strategies ◽  
N Use

Improving the sustainability and overall longevity and health of modern Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cattle is essential in order to maintain overall farm profitability. Prolonged negative energy balance in early lactation can result in metabolic stress, as well as long term problems with fertility (Pryce et al., 2004). In addition, maximising the efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilisation by strategies such as reducing the crude protein content of the diet is of crucial importance in minimising the environmental impact of dairying. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a range of nutritional strategies on milk production, energy balance and efficiency of N use in early lactation.

scholarly journals Responses to supplementation by dairy cows given low pasture allowances in different seasons 1. Pasture intake and substitution

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Penno ◽  
K. A. Macdonald ◽  
C. W. Holmes ◽  
S. R. Davis ◽  
G. F. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Supplementary Foods ◽  
Autumn And Winter

AbstractTwo factorial experiments were designed to determine the effects of stage of lactation, and season of the year, on cow responses to supplementary feeding. These experiments were conducted over consecutive years with 128 high genetic merit multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in early, mid and late lactation in spring, summer, autumn and winter. At each stage of lactation, and in each season of the year, cows were offered a restricted pasture allowance (25 to 35 kg dry matter (DM) per cow per day), either unsupplemented (control) or supplemented with 50 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per cow per day in experiment 1 and 80 MJ ME per cow per day in experiment 2. Two different supplements were offered, namely, rolled maize grain (MG) and a mixture of foods (BR) formulated to nutritionally balance the diet. In experiment 2, a fourth treatment consisting solely of a generous pasture allowance (60 to 75 kg DM per cow per day, AP) was introduced. Offering MG and BR increased DM intake (DMI). At the restricted pasture allowance, increasing total ME allowance (MEA) by offering supplementary foods increased ME intake (MEI) by 0·68 (s.e. 0·047) MJ per extra MJ ME offered. This highly significant (P<0·001) linear relationship was consistent across seasons, and did not diminish at higher MEA. In experiment 2, cows in early lactation had lower substitution rates than mid and late lactation cows irrespective of season. Substitution rate was higher when higher pasture allowance or quality of pasture on offer enabled the unsupplemented cows to achieve higher DMI from pasture than at other times of the year. These results suggest that one of the key factors determining the intake response to supplementary foods is pasture allowance. Within spring calving dairying systems, the largest increases in total DMI per kg of supplement offered is likely when offering supplements to early lactation cows grazing restricted allowances of high quality pasture.

The effect of space allowance and milk yield level on the performance and behaviour of dairy cattle housed in straw yards

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
J. A. Fregonesi ◽  
J.D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Face Width ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

Space allowance could be an important variable affecting production, health, reproductive performance and behaviour of dairy cattle. Also, high and low yielding cows may have different ways of coping with insufficient space allowance. The aim of this experiment was to study the influence of space allowance and milk yield level on the performance and behaviour of strawyard housed dairy cows.The experiment was carried out using 24 Holstein Friesian cows with two groups in early lactation of high (over 30 kg/day milk yield) and two groups in late lactation of low yield (under 25 kg/day milk yield). The groups were allocated to strawyard systems with low stocking density (bed area/cow = 9 m2; pen area/cow = 13.5 m2; feed face width/cow = 1.5 m) or high stocking density (bed area/cow = 4.5 m2; pen area/cow = 6.75 m2; feed face width/cow = 0.75m) conforming to a changeover design with two periods, each of four weeks. The cows were fed a total mixed ration ad libitum and 2kg/cow/day of concentrate in the milking parlour. All animals were milked twice daily.

scholarly journals An examination of two concentrate allocation strategies which are based on the early lactation milk yield of autumn calving Holstein Friesian cows

animal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 796-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Lawrence ◽  
M. O’Donovan ◽  
T.M. Boland ◽  
E. Lewis ◽  
E. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Allocation Strategies ◽  
Friesian Cows

scholarly journals THE NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OF EARLY LACTATION DAIRY COWS GRAZING IN INTENSIVE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Sierra Montoya ◽  
Julian David Chará ◽  
Rolando Barahona-Rosales
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Forage Intake ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Daily Milk

Abstract A study was carried out to estimate the balance of metabolizable protein (MP), metabolizable energy (ME), calcium, and phosphorus in 12 recently calved (RC) and early lactation (EL, 42 - 50 days after calving) Gyr x Holstein dairy cows grazing in a Leucaena leucocephala and Cynodon plectostachyus intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) and receiving energy and protein supplementation. Dry matter (DM) availability from the grazing paddocks, nutrients offered and their balance were estimated. On average, the available forage DM per animal.day-1 was 44.7 kg for C. plectostachyus and 11.8 kg for L. leucocephala. EL cows had greater requirements of MP, ME, and minerals than RC cows. In RC cows, ME, MP, and mineral requirements were supplied by the total diet, while EL cows exhibited a negative energy balance. For both RC and EL cows, ME was the limiting dietary factor, whereas MP and P were found to be in excess. If cows were only to receive ISS forages with no supplementation, estimated daily milk yield would be 10 and 12 litters for RC and EL cows, respectively. Under tropical conditions, based on ISS forage intake, RC and EL cows can meet most of their ME, MP, calcium, and phosphorous requirements.

HERITABILITIES OF TEAT CONFORMATION TRAITS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOMATIC CELL COUNTS IN HOLSTEINS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUSAN HIGGINS ◽  
R. K. MOORE ◽  
B. W. KENNEDY
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Maximum Likelihood Estimates ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Friesian Cows

Teat conformation characteristics were measured on 402 Holstein-Friesian cows in 18 dairy herds in western Quebec and eastern Ontario. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of heridity on teat conformation traits as well as to examine phenotypic relationships between the traits and somatic cell count as a measure of udder health. Maximum likelihood estimates of heritabilities of teat conformation traits and cell count, transformed to a log scale, were low; usually less than 0.10. Exceptions were length of front teat (h2 = 0.44) and distance of udder to the floor (h2 = 0.41). Significantly higher cell counts were associated with teats that were long, wide, not plumb and bottle (as opposed to cylindrical or funnel) shaped. The most highly correlated trait with cell count was distance of udder to the floor (r = − 0.24). However, many of the significant gross relationships observed were jointly related with age of cow, and when the effects of age of cow at calving, stage of lactation and herd were removed, only length of rear teat and front and rear teat medial diameters had significant influences on cell count.

Responses to a long-chain fatty acid supplement fed to dairy cows at two stages of lactation

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
TM Davison ◽  
FP Vervoort ◽  
F Duncalfe
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Long Chain Fatty Acid ◽  
Stage Of Lactation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Fatty Acid Supplement ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Long Chain ◽  
Feeding Systems

A group of 36 Holstein-Friesian cows in a commercial dairy herd were used to test the effects on milk yield and composition of feeding 0.5 kg/day of a rumen-inert fat supplement containing long-chain fatty acids, given in addition to their normal ration. The group was divided into early and mid lactation cows, and the effect of the supplement was evaluated over a 12-week period of grazing predominantly kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pastures. There was a non-significant (P>0.05) trend to increased milk yield for cows in mid lactation (9% or 2.8 kg milk/kg fat supplement), no response in early lactation, and an overall response of 0.8 kg milk/kg fat supplement for all cows. There was no effect (P>0.05) of fat supplement on milk components. The lack of a milk response in the early lactation group is discussed in relation to the protein content of the diet and changes in liveweight. The varied responses with stage of lactation mean that feeding systems that can easily differentiate stages of lactation for cows would be required in dairies.

Milk production by dairy cows fed legume grains or barley grain with or without urea as supplements to a cereal hay based diet

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Valentine ◽  
BD Bartsch
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Faba Bean ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

Milk production and composition was determined in Holstein-Friesian cows fed either 3.5 or 7.0 kg dry matter (DM) daily of lupin grain, pea grain, faba bean grain or barley grain with or without 1.5% added urea, as supplements to an oaten hay based diet. All the grains were hammermilled. Daily yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) were significantly (P<0.05) higher for cows fed lupin (20.0, 0.81, 0.57), pea (18.9, 0.80, 0.56) and faba bean (18.9, 0.79,0.55) grains compared with those of cows fed barley grain with (17.8, 0.73, 0.51) or without (18.0, 0.71, 0.52) urea. Yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) and milk protein content (g/kg) were significantly (P<0.05) higher when 7.0 kg DM (19.5, 0.80, 0.57, 29.6) compared with 3.5 kg DM (18.0,0.73,0.51,29.0) of grain was fed. There were no significant differences between treatments in hay DM intake by cows fed 3.5 kg DM of grain daily. A significantly (P<0.05) higher milk fat production per unit DM intake was recorded for cows fed legume compared with barley grain. There were generally higher returns above grain cost for cows fed legume compared with barley grain and for cows fed 4 kg compared to 8 kg daily of grain. It was concluded that it was more economical to feed 3.5 kg DM of legume grain compared with 3.5 kg DM of barley grain, with or without urea, as supplements for cows offered cereal hay in early lactation. However, the economics of feeding 7.0 kg DM of legume grain compared with 7.0 kg DM of barley grain and 7.0 kg DM compared with 3.5 kg DM of grain will depend on the costs of relative changes in hay intake associated with these practices.

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