Validation of a model to predict live weight and estimate dry matter intakes of individual dairy cows on commercial farms

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 113-113
Author(s):  
H. C. F. Wicks ◽  
J. D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Weight Prediction

A method to estimate total dry matter intake (DMI) of individual dairy cows on commercial farms was developed to aid nutritional research on commercial farms (Wicks, 2001). Recently a second validation of the model was carried out using cows from the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland (ARINI) dairy herd. The results from the validation process at Wye and ARINI are shown and the mean square prediction error (MSPE) of the model for live weight prediction and DMI estimation were calculated.

The use of sheep as a model to predict the relative intakes of silages by dairy cattle

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Cushnahan ◽  
F. J. Gordon ◽  
C. P. W. Ferris ◽  
D. M. B. Chestnutt ◽  
C. S. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Model System ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
The Mean

AbstractA study was carried out to determine if sheep could be used as a model for predicting the intakes of silages by cattle. Fifty ewes and 45 cows were offered five grass silages unsupplemented in two parallel randomized-block experiments over a 4-week period. Each silage had been made using the same equipment over a range of cutting dates (May, July, August 1991). The silages differed in fermentation characteristics, with lactic acid concentrations varying from 15·3 to 90·7 g/kg dry matter, and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations from 77 to 198 g/kg nitrogen. When expressed on a metabolic live-weight basis, the mean intakes of silages by cows were 2·25 times those of the sheep, with the mean intakes being 35·1 and 79·1 g/kg M0·75 for the sheep and cows respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between recorded intakes during the 4th week of the study by the two species (y (cows) = 0·62× (sheep) + 58·40; r2 = 0·03). It was concluded that sheep were not a useful model system to predict the intakes of a range of grass silages of similar chop length by dairy cows.

The Effect of protein supply and level of supplementary concentrate on rumen metabolism of lactating dairy cows

1990 ◽  
Vol 1990 ◽  
pp. 16-16
Author(s):  
Rosemary E Poots ◽  
E F Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Low Protein ◽  
Rumen Metabolism ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Protein Supply

Previous research at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland has shown that equivalent milk yields can be obtained by feeding high levels of low-protein supplementary concentrate or low levels of high-protein supplementary concentrate. The latter may be due to an increase in dry matter intake and thus energy available for milk yield (an indirect effect) or an increase in amino acid supply from increased protein in the diet (a direct effect) or a combination of these. The experiment compared the effect of varying levels of protein supplement on rumen fermentation characteristics in lactating dairy cows.

Comparison of equations for predicting voluntary intake by dairy cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather D. St. C. Neal ◽  
C. Thomas ◽  
J. M. Cobby
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Voluntary Feed Intake ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Grassland Research

SummaryRations for dairy cows are often formulated using predictions of voluntary feed intake calculated from regression equations. The accuracy of the predictions of dry-matter intake by seven equations is investigated. Comparisons are made when live weight is taken to be the observed weekly mean (MLW), the observed live weight after calving (CLW) or an estimated breed weight accompanied by a notional pattern of live-weight change (BLW). Data recorded on a British Friesian dairy herd at the Grassland Research Institute fed mostly silage ad libitum and various supplements are used. The mean square prediction error (MSPE) is calculated for each week and summarized over the whole experimental period.The least MSPE's are 2·1, 2·8 and 2·4 (kg D.M.)2 for comparisons using MLW, CLW and BLW respectively. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1975) equation involving only live weight and milk yield performs well and would be useful when only the limited measurements of live weight and milk yield are available, but the more complex equations of Vadiveloo & Holmes (1979) and of Lewis (1981) give consistently the best predictions. The importance of using the original definitions of the variables when applying a predictive equation is illustrated. Even so, the large errors found in the predictions of intake points to the need for further research.

The effect of compound composition and silage characteristics on silage intake, feeding behaviour, production of milk and live-weight change in lactating dairy cows

1991 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Jackson ◽  
C. L. Johnson ◽  
J. M. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Principal Energy ◽  
Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTAn experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of compound composition and silage characteristics on silage intake, feeding behaviour and productive performance of dairy cows during the first 25 weeks of lactation. Over a period of 3 years, 36 lactating British Friesian cows (12 per year), in their third or later lactations, were divided into two groups. The cows in each group received either compound S, in which the principal energy source was cereal starch, or compound F containing a mixture of high quality digestible fibre. Cows given compound F ate 2·2 kg more silage dry matter per day (P < 0·05). The type of compound had no effect on the frequency of silage feeding and the time spent eating was significantly different only over weeks 10 to 25 of lactation (P < 0·05), with cows on compound F spending on average 20 min longer feeding per day. Cows on compound F produced 1·7 kg more milk per day than cows on compound S. Although there were no significant differences in the concentration of milk constituents, compound F was associated with higher yields of milk constituents. Significant differences were found between the years of experiment in the frequency of feeding (P < 0·05) and also in the concentration of milk protein and milk fat. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of live-weight change between treatments or year of experiment.

scholarly journals Non-structural carbohydrates in the nutrition of high-yielding dairy cows during a transition period

2010 ◽  
Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽  
pp. 468-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Poláková ◽  
V. Kudrna ◽  
A. Kodeš ◽  
B. Hučko ◽  
Z. Mudřík
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maize Starch ◽  
Milk Performance

The main aim of this study was to investigate experimentally the effect of different composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) in prepartum feed rations administered to high-yielding dairy cows at a high concentration of NFC in the diet on dry matter intake both before and after parturition and on subsequent milk performance, body condition and physiological traits of rumen fluid and blood. Thirty-six high-yielding dairy cows were allocated into one of the three well-balanced groups (K, O, and C), and each group received a different feeding rations. Feeding rations differed in non-structural carbohydrate (NFC) structure. The "K" (control) group received a feeding ration with NFC in the form of maize starch in particular, while the feeding rations of the other two (experimental) groups contained either (besides maize starch) saccharose from dried sugar beet (the "O" group) or a dominant amount of NFC was in the form of saccharose (the "C" group). After calving, all dairy cows were given the same feeding ration from the first day after parturition. The experiment was conducted for 21 days before and 50 days after calving. FR in the form of total mixed ration was offered ad libitum. Dry matter intake, milk performance, body condition, live weight, and blood and rumen parameters were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake before calving was highest in the "K" group (14.32 kg per head). Differences among groups were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Prepartum dry matter consumption dropped as the rate of saccharose in the diet of cows increased. Dry matter consumption levelled off after calving. Milk yield was also highest in the "K" group (43.71 kg/head/day), but fatness of milk and thus the production of fat corrected milk were lowest in this group. The highest milk fat content (4.10%) and fat corrected milk production (44.03 kg/head/day) were recorded in the "C" group, whereas the highest milk protein concentration was found in the milk of the "O" group. The composition of NFC affected dry matter intake before parturition, but these concentrations did not significantly affect dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, live weight, body condition or blood serum and rumen fluid parameters after calving

scholarly journals Copper, iron, manganese and zinc concentrations in the carcases of lambs and calves and the relationship to trace element requirements for growth

1979 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. Suttle
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Tissue Storage ◽  
Growth Requirements ◽  
Fe And Mn ◽  
Zinc Concentrations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Daily Intakes ◽  
Iron Manganese ◽  
The Relationship

1. The minced carcases of twenty-seven lambs, ranging from 18 to 69 kg in live weight, and twenty-five calves (30–90 kg) were analysed for copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The lambs were weaned whereas the calves were reared exclusively on milk.2. Mean concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn for groups of lamb carcases fell within the ranges 52.6–75.1, 0.7–1.2 and 20.8–25.6 mg/kg fresh carcase weight respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Mn decreased while that of Zn increased slightly with age at slaughter. The concentrations of Fe, Mn and Zn in calves were close to thosein lambs.3. For both species, the concentration of Cu in the carcase varied erratically: variation in hepatic Cu storage was implicated. In an additional study of ten full-term foetuses from Cu-depleted or Cu-supplemented ewes, a dietary Cu supplement (10 mg/kg dry matter (DM)) increased foetal Cu status 10-fold, due largely to an increase in foetal liver Cu.4. The mean retentions of trace elements in the lamb carcases (%intake) were approximately: Cu 2.0, Fe 1.3, Mn 0.08, Zn 4.0. The corresponding values for the milk-fed calves were all probably much higher (Cu 23, Fe 43.7, Mn 4.9, Zn 34.0) but Cu intake was not accurately measured.5. After allowing for tissue storage of Fe and Mn, values of 55, 0.85 and 24 mg/kg carcase gain were taken to represent the approximate net growth requirements of lambs for Fe, Mn and Zn respectively: the corresponding value for Cu was probably < 1.0 mg/kg. Values for calves were similar to those for lambs.6. It was concluded that the total net requirements of ruminants for Fe and Zn shouldbe considered in terms of daily intakes of the metans rather than dietary concentrationsbecause of the relatively large and constant contribution of the growth component to thetotal requirement.

scholarly journals Effect of guar gum on gastric emptying in growing pigs

1986 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna L. Rainbird ◽  
A. G. Low
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Emptying ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Guar Gum ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Postprandial Blood Glucose ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fat Diets ◽  
Blood Glucose Concentrations

1. Simple gastric cannulas were surgically fitted to four pigs, initially of 30 kg live weight, to examine the effects of guar gum on gastric emptying.2. Four semi-purified high-fat diets based on starch, casein, soya-bean oil and tallow were given to each pig. They contained 0 (control), 20, 40 or 60 g powdered guar gum/kg diet. The meals as fed contained 257 g dry matter (DM)/kg.3. The contents of the stomach were evacuated, with rinsing, before feeding or 0.5, 1, 2 or 4 h after feeding.4. The mean pH of the digesta was unaffected by guar gum until 4 h after feeding when the value increased as the amount of guar gum in the diet rose.5. The only significant effects of guar gum on the emptying of digesta and its components (compared with the control diet) were to reduce the rate of emptying of (a) digesta 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet) and 4 h after feeding (40 and 60 g/kg diets), (b) dry matter and glucose 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet), (c) nitrogen 1 h after feeding (60 g/kg diet) and 4 h after feeding (40 and 60 g/kg diets).6. When expressed on a half-time (T50) basis, the emptying of digesta and N (but not of DM and glucose) were significantly slower for diets containing 40 and 60 g guar gum/kg than for the control diet.7. The apparent viscosity of the gastric digesta ranged between 0.5 and 23.7% of the values for the diets as consumed.8. It was concluded that the effects of guar gum on gastric emptying of high-solid meals were small, and that this was unlikely to be an important aspect of the mechanism by which guar gum reduces postprandial blood glucose concentrations.

Increased winter growth in male red deer calves under an extended photoperiod

1997 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Webster ◽  
I. D. Corsor ◽  
R. P. Littlejohn ◽  
J. M. Suttie
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Natural Increase ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Abrupt Increase ◽  
Winter Solstice ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Autumn And Winter

AbstractThe growth of male red deer slows during the first winter of life before increasing again during spring. This study aimed to determine if this period of slow growth could be minimized using artificial photoperiods during autumn and winter (10 April (week 1) to 11 September (week 23), southern hemisphere). Four groups of deer (no. = 10) were housed indoors as follows. Two groups were placed on a winter solstice photoperiod (8·5 light (L): 15·5 dark (D)) and given either a natural increase in photoperiod to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSN) or held on 8·5L: 15·5D for 7 weeks followed by an abrupt increase to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSH). One group was exposed to a summer solstice photoperiod of 16L: 8D (SS) and one group exposed to a natural photoperiodic pattern (IC). A fifth group of deer (no. = 10) was maintained outside on a gravelled enclosure under natural changes in photoperiod (OC). All groups were given a diet containing 160 g protein per kg and 11·0 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter (DM) ad libitum. All animals were weighed weekly and group food intake recorded daily. Metatarsal length was measured at weeks 3,17 and 22 from the start of treatments.The major differences occurred between SS and the other groups. After a period of slower growth (weeks 1 to 5, SS = 88 g/day v. 168 g/day other groups, s.e.d. 31·2, P < 0·05), SS grew more rapidly from week 10 (P < 0·01). As a result, SS was heaviest from week 17 (P < 0·05) until the end of the experiment (P < 0·01). The mean growth rate of SS animals from weeks 10 to 23 was 346 g/day compared with 173 g/day (s.e.d. 15·3; P < 0·001) for the other groups. Over the whole experiment, SS animals gained 42·3 kg live weight, compared with 31·1 kg for WSN, 26·6 kg for WSH, 25·1 kg for OC and 23·7 kg for IC (s.e.d. 2·08 kg P < 0·01). The DM intake of SS from week 9 until the end of the experiment averaged 2·04 kg DM per head per day compared with 1·48 (s.e. 0·041) kg DM per head per day for the mean of the other groups. Metatarsal length increased more in SS than the other groups (P < 0·001) between weeks 3 and 17 and was longest in SS at weeks 17 and 22 (P < 0·01). Exposure to a 16L: 8D photoperiod during winter advanced the rapid growth of red deer calves normally associated with spring and summer. This response may be used to advance slaughter dates for venison production.

The effect of wilting of herbage on silage composition and its feeding value for milk production

1981 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Significant Depression ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Block Experiment

ABSTRACTA randomized block experiment was used to assess the effects of wilting of herbage prior to ensiling. Three silages, each a composite of three harvests taken over the season, were prepared by ensiling herbage as unwilted, medium-wilted or high-wilted material with mean dry-matter contents in the resulting silages of 192, 254 and 455g/kg respectively. The silages were ensiled in bunker silos using the same harvesting machinery and with formic acid applied at the rate of 2 81/t of herbage. The silages were offered to 81 January- and February-calving cows from the 8th day post partum until going to pasture on 27 April, with a mean period on treatmen t of 92 days. In addition, all animals received a fixed concentrate allowance of 7·6 kg/day. Wilting increased silage dry-matter intake, the mean intakes being 9·2, 9·4 and 10·0kg/day for the unwilted, medium-wilted and high-wilted material respectively, but resulted in a significant depression in milk yield, with the yields obtained during the final 14 days on treatment being 23·6, 21 -8 and 21·5kg/day respectively. Milk composition, live weight, body condition, total ration digestibility and nitrogen-balance data are also presented.

The voluntary intake by cattle of four silages differing in dry matter content

1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Jackson ◽  
T. J. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Digestible Organic Matter ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Daily Intakes

SUMMARYHerbage from the same timothy/meadow fescue/white clover sward was ensiled at four different dry matter contents. The resulting silages had dry matter contents of 19·0, 27·3, 32·3 and 43·2%, the dry matter content increasing with the length of the wilting period. An experiment was carried out to determine the voluntary intake of the silages. Each silage was given to 7 animals individually, the mean live weight of these being 334 kg.Although the silages made from wilted herbage were lower in digestibility than that made from unwilted herbage, wilting increased dry matter intake and metabolizable energy (ME) intake. The mean daily intakes of digestible organic matter were 53·0, 58·1, 59·6 and 59·6 g/kgW0·73, for silages of increasing dry matter content. The corresponding ME intakes, expressed as a multiple of the ME requirement for maintenance, were 1·17, 1·29, 1·30 and 1·28. The percentage of acetic acid in the silage dry matter was significantly (r= −0·56) and linearly related to voluntary intake. The relationship between lactic acid concentration and voluntary intake was significantly curvilinear (r= 0·48).

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