Incorporating grazing behaviour measurements in models to predict herbage intake by grazing dairy cows

2002 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Rook ◽  
N. H. Yarrow
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Interaction between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation modifies milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning of dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (10) ◽  
pp. 1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio E. Beltrán ◽  
Pablo Gregorini ◽  
Alvaro Morales ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
Rubén G. Pulido
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Nitrogen Partitioning ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Nitrogen Intake ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interaction effects between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation on milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning in lactating dairy cows. Forty-four Holstein Friesian cows were grouped according to milk production (24.7 ± 2.8 kg), bodyweight (580.6 ± 51.7 kg), days in milk (74 ± 17.1) and body condition score (3.1 ± 0.3), and then assigned randomly to one of four treatments: (1) L-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (2) L-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (3) M-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha, and (4) M-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha. All cows received a daily low herbage allowance of 21 kg DM measured above ground level, 3.0 kg DM of grass silage and 3.5 kg DM of concentrate. Herbage intake was similar between treatments, averaging 8.3 kg DM/day (P > 0.05). Total grazing time was lower for M-PM compared with other treatments (P < 0.01). Milk production was greater for M-AM and M-PM compared with L-PM (P < 0.05). Urea in milk and plasma were greater for L-AM than L-PM and M-PM (P < 0.01). Similarly, rumen ammonia was greater for L-AM compared with M-PM and M-AM (P < 0.05). Nitrogen intake was 13.6% greater for L-AM than L-PM, and 17.5% greater for L-AM than M-PM (P < 0.05). Nitrogen use efficiency was 22.1% greater for M-PM than L-AM, and 11.8% greater for M-PM than L-PM (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the best management combination was observed when a medium herbage mass was delivered in the afternoon, maintaining a low nitrogen intake, low urinary nitrogen excretion and high milk production.

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).

Nutritional and grazing management of the dairy cow

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 71-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Dewhurst ◽  
S. M. Rutter ◽  
A. J. Rook
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nutrient Supply ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Nutritional Management ◽  
Jaw Movements ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractThe pre-requisites for nutritional management of dairy cows are information about how much feed is being consumed as well as the nutrients that are being derived from that feed. Studies of feed intake and nutrient supply have been limited by difficult experimental techniques, particularly with grazing animals. The models derived from much earlier work are of only general applicability and there is a need for more site-specific information in order to benefit further from conceptual advances.We have adopted a different approach to studying herbage intake and nutrient supply, using less-invasive approaches as well as techniques that monitor more accessible aspects of these processes, such as jaw movements. These techniques have a major advantage, in addition to their value as research tools, because they could translate directly into commercial applications in on-farm monitoring. The use of diagnostics and behavioural recording is well explored in relation to health monitoring; here we argue for its potential to advance the application of knowledge about grazing and nutrition. We will illustrate this approach using our experiences in measuring grazing behaviour, using IGER behaviour recorders and assessing rumen function, using a series of non-invasive techniques.The IGER grazing behaviour recorder allows us to record jaw movements and hence grazing and ruminating time and bite dynamics. It also allows the recording of steps and is now being developed to incorporate non-invasive rumen state sensors. It has made a major contribution to our understanding of the foraging strategies of grazing animals and their effect on herbage intake. This technology has the potential to be developed for on-farm monitoring of foraging behaviour providing valuable inputs to the prediction of herbage intake, in decision support systems for grazing.The introduction of concept of protein degradation and microbial synthesis in the rumen are significant advances in protein rationing schemes. However, real progress has been limited because the lack of consistent experimental results means that models have little relevance to specific farm situations. We foresee considerable opportunities to monitor products of rumen degradation and synthesis that appear in milk (e.g. odd-chain fatty acids) or breath (e.g. sulphides).Taken together these technologies open the possibilities of an entirely new approach to nutritional management of dairy cows, with site-specific recommendations based on information gathered using new sensors that are incorporated into computerised feeding equipment and milking parlours.

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