Impact of cow strain and concentrate supplementation on grazing behaviour, milk yield and metabolic state of dairy cows in an organic pasture-based feeding system

AbstractA comparative study of grazing behaviour, herbage intake and milk production was conducted using three strains of Holstein-Friesian (HF) heifer : 33 high production North American (HP), 33 high durability North American (HD) and 33 New Zealand (NZ) animals. Heifers were assigned, within strain, to one of three grass-based feeding systems : (1) the Moorepark (control) system (MP), (2) a high concentrate system (HC), (3) a high stocking rate system (HS). Strain of HF had no significant effect on grazing time or number of grazing bouts. The NZ strain had longer grazing bouts (P< 0.01) and spent a lower proportion of time ruminating (P< 0.05) than both the HP and HD strains. There was a significant strain ✕ feeding system interaction for biting rate. The biting rate of the NZ strain was reduced in the HC system. Biting rates in the HS feeding system were significantly higher (P< 0.001) than in the MP system. Heifers on HC had shorter grazing time (P< 0.01) with grazing bouts of shorter duration (P< 0.01). Increasing stocking rate (HS) decreased the proportion of time ruminating (P< 0.001) and tended to shorten grazing bouts (P = 0.06). The HP strain had higher (P< 0.05) herbage and total dry matter (DM) intakes than the NZ strain, while the HD strain was intermediate. Concentrate supplementation reduced (P< 0.001) herbage DM intake but increased (P< 0.001) total DM intake. The reduction of herbage DM intake per kg of concentrate DM intake (substitution rate) was greater for the NZ than the HP strain. The HP produced significantly higher milk, fat, protein and lactose yields than the NZ, while the HD strain was intermediate. The milk fat content of the NZ was higher than both the HP and HD strains, while the protein content was higher than the HP strain. Concentrate supplementation (HC v . MP) significantly increased yields of milk and milk components. Milk production responses to the HC system were much greater with the HP than the NZ strain. Increasing stocking rate (MP v . HS) significantly decreased milk protein yield. The results indicate that the choice of strain of HF may depend on the feeding system.

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The influence of cow genetic merit for milk production on response to level of concentrate supplementation in a grass based system

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200012163 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2003 ◽

pp. 57-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Dillon ◽

J. Kennedy ◽

P. Faverdin ◽

L. Delaby ◽

F. Buckley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Holstein Friesian

Pre-1990 published responses to supplementation at pasture ranged from 0.4 to 0.6kg milk/kg concentrate fed. However since 1990 higher responses to concentrate supplementation at pasture have been published (Delaby 2001). The objective of this study was to determine if milk production responses of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows to concentrate supplementation at pasture are influenced by genetic merit (milk yield potential) in a spring calving grass based system of milk production.

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

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600029226 ◽

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).

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Effects of Herbage Allowance on Dry Matter Intake, Efficiency of Grazing,Milk Yield and Grazing Behaviour of Crossbred Holstein-Jersey Dairy Cows Grazing Alfalfa Pastures

Advances in Dairy Research ◽

10.4172/2329-888x.1000109 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 02 (01) ◽

Author(s):

J. Baudracco E.A. Comeron

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Grazing Behaviour

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Quantifying the influence of sward height, concentrate level and initial milk yield on the milk production and grazing behaviour of continuously stocked dairy cows

Grass and Forage Science ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2494.2001.00246.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

pp. 57-67 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

R. G. Pulido ◽

J. D. Leaver

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Sward Height ◽

Concentrate Level ◽

Grazing Behaviour

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Effect of the level of concentrate supplementation, herbage allowance and milk yield at turn-out on the performance of dairy cows in mid lactation at grazing

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800058161 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 171-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

L. Delaby ◽

J. L. Peyraud ◽

R. Delagarde

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Body Weight Gain ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Cow Performance

AbstractIn order to establish the response of dairy cow performance to concentrate supplementation in contrasting grazing conditions and for cows differing in milk yield at turn-out, three experiments were conducted. Each year, two levels of herbage allowance were studied in interaction with four (experiment 1) or three (experiments 2 and 3) levels of concentrate on two groups of 30 to 40 mid-lactation Holstein cows producing between 20 and 46 kg milk at turnout. Amount of concentrate and herbage allowance ranged from 0 to 6 kg fresh weight and from 12 to 22 kg dry matter (DM) per cow per day respectively. The supplementation led to average responses, per kg DM concentrate, of 104 kg milk, +66 g/day body-weight gain, +0·19 g/kg milk protein and -0·57 g/kg milk fat. These responses remained linear up to 4 or 6 kg according to the years and treatments. The response to the concentrate did not vary with the milk yield or composition at turn-out. The increase in the herbage allowance from 12 to 16 kg DM per cow per day (experiment 1) improved milk yield (+1·2 kg/day) and milk protein (+0·7 g/kg) while the increase from 16 to 22 kg DM (experiments 2 and 3) had less effect (+0·5 kg/day milk yield and +0·4 g/kg milk protein). There was no clear interaction between concentrate supplementation and herbage allowance. Under the usual conditions of spring pasture, with cows in mid lactation, the use of a constant level of concentrate at grazing proves to be a technique of some interest.

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Participatory on-farm evaluation of the response to concentrate supplementation by cows in early lactation in smallholder peasant (campesino) dairy production systems in the highlands of central Mexico

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859601001095 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 137 (1) ◽

pp. 97-103 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

C. M. ARRIAGA-JORDÁN, ◽

F. J. FLORES-GALLEGOS ◽

G. PEÑA-CARMONA ◽

B. ALBARRÁN-PORTILLO ◽

A. GARCÍA-MARTÍNEZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Live Weight ◽

Appropriate Technology ◽

Central Mexico ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Condition Score ◽

On Farm

Concentrates are the main cash expenditure in smallholder campesino dairying in the highlands of Central Mexico. Improved, low-cost, appropriate feeding strategies have been therefore identified by campesinos as a priority. An on-farm trial was undertaken in 1998 to evaluate the response to supplementation with concentrates by dairy cows in early lactation during the rainy season with restricted access to grazing of ryegrass/white clover pastures. A base of 3·0 kg commercial concentrate/cow/day (S3) was compared against the higher rate used by farmers of 5·0 kg/cow/day (S5). Three farmers with one, and one farmer with two pairs of freshly calved upgraded Holstein cows participated in the trial (24±10·7 days into lactation). Data were analysed by a random block split-plot design where supplementation treatments were main plots and measurement periods were split-plots. Milk yield was recorded once per week for 9 weeks, and live weight and condition score for four 28 day periods. Milk yields were 21·8 for S3 and 21·9 for S5 (±0·714) kg milk/day/cow (P > 0·05); live weight S3 = 444·0 and S5 = 496·0 (±12·663) kg/cow (P > 0·05), and condition score S3 = 1·9, and S5 = 1·8 (±1·127) (P >0·05). There were no significant (P> 0·05) effects of measurement periods, and there was no significant (P > 0·05) interaction. The lack of response in milk yield, live weight or condition score to increased concentrate supplementation demonstrates that at these levels of production and management, the access to grazing of improved pastures, plus limited concentrate, enables cows in campesino systems to meet their nutrient requirements, and the feasibility of efficient milk production from grazed pastures as an appropriate technology. It is also concluded that it is an appropriate technology and that the results have implications for research and extension workers in rural development who have promoted large amounts of concentrate to dairy cows as the only way towards high yields and efficient milk production.

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