Feeding a partial mixed ration once a day did not increase milk production compared with feeding grain in the dairy and forage in the paddock

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1405 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Wright ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
J. S. Greenwood ◽  
M. Hannah ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
System Control ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Increase Milk Production ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Measurement Period

This experiment measured milk production responses of grazing cows offered supplements in different ways. Holstein-Friesian cows averaging 89 days in milk, were allocated into six groups of 36 (each group including three rumen-fistulated cows). Two groups were randomly assigned to each of three dietary treatments: (1) cows were offered milled barley grain twice daily at milking and pasture silage in the paddock (Control); (2) the same amounts of milled barley grain and pasture silage were fed as a partial mixed ration (PMR) once a day following morning milking (PMR1); and (3) cows were supplemented with a PMR containing milled barley grain, lucerne hay, maize silage and crushed maize grain fed once a day following morning milking (PMR2). All dietary treatments were formulated to provide the same metabolisable energy and cows were offered a restricted allowance of ~14 kg DM/cow.day (to ground level) of perennial ryegrass pasture in addition to their supplement. Each group of 36 cows was further divided into four groups of nine, each of which were offered supplements at either 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg DM/cow.day. The experiment consisted of a 14-day adaptation period and an 11-day measurement period. Cows fed PMR1 and PMR2 once a day did not show an increase in milk production compared with the traditional feeding system (Control). Presumably this was a result of asynchronous supply of nutrients to the rumen (in isoenergetic diets) compromising conditions for digestion and milk production.

Replacing wheat with canola meal in a partial mixed ration increases the milk production of cows grazing at a restricted pasture allowance in spring

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 869 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
J. S. Greenwood ◽  
M. M. Wright ◽  
M. Hannah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Increase Milk Production ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Supplement Intake

Milk production responses were measured in grazing cows offered supplements in different ways. Holstein–Friesian cows averaging 70 days in milk were allocated into 20 groups of eight, each including one rumen-fistulated cow. One of three dietary treatments was then randomly assigned to each of the 20 groups. Treatments were (1) Control (8 groups), where cows were supplemented with rolled wheat grain fed twice daily in the dairy and pasture silage provided in the paddock; (2) partial mixed ration (PMR; 8 groups), where cows were offered a PMR comprising rolled wheat grain, maize grain, maize silage and lucerne hay, which was presented on a feedpad immediately after each milking; the PMR was formulated to provide the same estimated metabolisable energy intake as the Control supplements; and (3) PMR+Canola (4 groups), where cows were fed in the same way as the PMR cows, except that a proportion of the wheat in the PMR was replaced with solvent-extracted canola meal. This ration was formulated to provide the same metabolisable energy as the Control and PMR treatments, but had greater amounts of crude protein. For Control and PMR treatments, supplements were offered at 8, 10, 12 or 14 kg DM/cow.day (2 groups per amount) while for the PMR+Canola treatment supplement was offered at 12 or 14 kg DM/cow.day (2 groups per amount). In addition to their supplements, all groups grazed an allowance of ~14 kg DM/cow.day (measured to ground level) of perennial ryegrass pasture. Yields of energy-corrected milk increased linearly with increasing supplement intake, but there was no difference between Control and PMR cows. When canola meal was added to the PMR, there was an increase in energy-corrected milk at a predicted supplement intake of 13.0 kg DM/cow.day. This was associated with a greater concentration and yield of milk fat in the PMR+Canola cows. Ruminal fluid pH and DM intake from pasture were also greater in PMR+Canola cows. It is concluded that farmers feeding high amounts of supplements to grazing cows could increase milk production by carefully considering the composition and form of the supplement mix, including the inclusion of canola meal.

scholarly journals Maximizing Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Pasture Intake of Dairy Cows: 1-the Effect of Pre-Grazing Pasture Height and Mixed Ration Level

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kieran A. D. Ison ◽  
Marcelo A. Benvenutti ◽  
David G. Mayer ◽  
Simon Quigley ◽  
David G. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Ration Level ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Measurement Period

The effect of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) pre-grazing pasture height on pasture intake and milk production was investigated in a sub-tropical partial mixed ration (PMR) dairy system in south-east Queensland, Australia. The experiment involved a 26-day adaptation period followed by an eight-day measurement period during April and May 2018. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were offered a mixed ration at either 7 (low) or 14 (high) kg dry matter (DM)/cow/day and allocated pastures at pre-grazing heights ranging from 23 to 39 cm. The targeted pasture intake was 14 and 7 kg DM/cow/day for cows offered the low and high mixed ration allowances respectively, with a total intake target of 21 kg DM/cow/day. Pasture structure did not limit pasture intake as the all groups left at least 12% of the allocated area ungrazed, and therefore could selectively graze pasture. There was no significant difference in intake between mixed ration levels, however intake had a positive linear relationship with pre-grazing pasture height. For every one cm increase in pasture height, intake increased by 0.3 kg DM/cow/day. Using a grazing strategy that ensures the some pasture remains ungrazed and the pre-grazing height of lucerne is approximately 39 cm above ground level will maximise pasture intake in sub-tropical PMR dairy systems.

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.

scholarly journals Maximising Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Pasture Intake of Dairy Cows: 2—The Effect of Post-Grazing Pasture Height and Mixed Ration Level

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 904
Author(s):  
Kieran A. D. Ison ◽  
Marcelo A. Benvenutti ◽  
David G. Mayer ◽  
Simon Quigley ◽  
David G. Barber
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Ration Level ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Southeast Queensland

The effects of lucerne (Medicago sativa) post-grazing residual pasture height on pasture utilisation (vertical and horizontal), pasture intake and animal production were investigated in a sub-tropical partial mixed ration dairy system. The study took place at the Gatton Research Dairy, Southeast Queensland (−27.552, 152.333), with a 26-day adaptation period followed by two 8-day measurement periods during August and September 2018. A quantity of 30 multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were offered two levels of mixed ration, 7 and 14 kg dry matter (DM)/cow/day for low and high levels respectively, and five levels of pasture allocation, to achieve decreasing residual pasture heights. Pasture allocations measured from 5 cm above ground level for the low mixed ration groups averaged 12.7, 15.9, 19.8, 35.3 and 49.2 kg DM/cow/day, and for the high mixed ration groups averaged 5.0, 8.3, 10.3, 18.6, and 25.2 kg DM/cow/day, respectively. As pasture allocation decreased, cows were forced to graze further down into the pasture sward, and therefore residual pasture height declined. Total intake (kg DM/cow/day) declined as residual pasture height (expressed as % of the initial height) declined, irrespective of mixed ration level, decreasing by 0.5 kg DM/cow/day for every 10% decrease in residual pasture height. Low total intakes were associated with high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels in plasma, indicating mobilisation of fat tissue to maintain milk production. In the high allocation treatments, an area of pasture remained ungrazed and cows were only grazing the top leafy stratum where pasture intake rate and intake were highest. Therefore, to maximise intake in sub-tropical partial mixed ration (PMR) systems, lucerne pasture should be allocated so that cows are always grazing the top leafy stratum. This can be achieved by ensuring the pasture around faecal patches remains ungrazed.

The effect of pre-graze mowing on milk production of dairy cows grazing grass–herb–legume pastures managed under contrasting spring defoliation regimes

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1414 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Cun ◽  
G. R. Edwards ◽  
R. H. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
The Third ◽  
Production Study ◽  
Herbage Quality ◽  
Late Control ◽  
Metabolisable Energy

Strategies to increase herbage dry-matter (DM) production are sought for dairy systems. One proposed strategy is tactical spring defoliation with greater pre-grazing herbage mass and higher post-grazing heights. However, there are concerns over the effects of these strategies on herbage quality, DM intake and milk production. Irrigated, diverse pastures in Canterbury, New Zealand, containing perennial ryegrass, white clover, chicory, plantain and lucerne, were managed over two grazing rotations in spring under normal (grazed to 3.5 cm) or lax management (grazed to 5 cm, allowing early ryegrass seedhead development before normal grazing at anthesis ‘late control’). On the third grazing rotation, a milk production study was conducted. Thirty-six, mid-lactation spring calving Friesian × Jersey dairy cows were allocated to nine groups of four cows and randomly allocated to three replicates of the following three treatments: (1) normal grazing (Norm), (2) lax grazing of standing herbage (Lax) and (3) lax grazing with pre-graze mowing of herbage (Mow). Cows were offered a daily herbage allocation of 30 kg DM/cow above ground level, with milk production measured over 8 days. Pastures managed under lax management had higher pre-grazing herbage mass (4149 kg DM/ha) than did pastures managed under normal management (3105 kg DM/ha), but all treatments had similar metabolisable energy (~12.26 MJ ME/kg DM). Daily milksolid (MS) production tended to be lower (P = 0.07) for cows grazing pastures managed under Lax and Mow (2.34 and 2.24 MS/cow.day respectively) than with Norm (2.43 MS/cow.day). Although there was no difference in daily MS production between mowing and greater pre-graze herbage mass, switching from a high to low grazing residual managed by either grazing or mowing in late spring is likely to have a negative impact on milk production.

scholarly journals A three-year investigation of the performance of spring-calving dairy cows grazing ryegrass-based pastures of high or low endophyte toxin status in Northland

2001 ◽  
pp. 209-214
Author(s):  
R.G. Keogh ◽  
M.B. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Ancillary Information ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Measurement Period ◽  
Friesian Cows

On-farm milk production and ancillary information was monitored for spring-calving cows grazing high (HT) and low toxin (LT) pastures in Northland over three seasons from spring 1997 to autumn 2000. Two groups of 16 second-calving Holstein-Friesian cows, balanced for calving date and production worth, grazed HT or LT ryegrass pastures from October 1997 to May 1998. Milk production was monitored for 10 consecutive days each month culminating with a herd test. The LT group out-produced the HT group for each measurement period from December, and over the whole season, produced 20% more milk solids. The HT group had significantly higher serum lysergol levels and correspondingly lower prolactin levels than the LT group. As pasture quality was similar it was suggested that the differences in milk production were most likely due to differences in intake. At the start of the 1998-1999 season 25% of the farm was in low endophyte ryegrass or in ryegrass with the AR1 endophyte. The farm and herd were split so that milk production from HT and LT farmlets could be monitored. Milk from each group was collected into separate tanks and all cows were 'herd-tested' 4-weekly. Despite twothirds of the LT farmlet being conserved for silage, which resulted in a severe feed shortage that necessitated supplements being fed-out on this farmlet from January, the LT group out-produced the HT group by 5% per cow and by 10% per hectare for the season from October to late May. In the 1999-2000 season, the farm and herd split was 29% LT and 71% HT. The objective was changed to one of maximising production from each system and this required changes in management. The LT system was managed to encourage clover-dominance from mid-spring and this was achieved by lengthening the rotation out to 6 weeks and then reducing it back to 3.5 weeks by leaving higher residuals and conserving

Defoliation dynamics, pasture intake and milk production of dairy cows grazing lucerne pastures in a partial mixed-ration system

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. D. Ison ◽  
D. G. Barber ◽  
M. A. Benvenutti ◽  
N. Kleinitz ◽  
D. Mayer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Day Treatment ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Vertical Plane ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Mechanical Methods ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Pasture Area

The effect of lucerne pasture allocation on defoliation dynamics, pasture intake and animal production was investigated in a subtropical partial mixed-ration dairy system. The study took place at the Gatton Research Dairy, south-eastern Queensland, with a 28-day adaptation period followed by an 8-day treatment period during November and December 2016. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein Friesian dairy cows were offered 11 kg of dry matter (DM)/cow.day as partial mixed-ration dairy system, and four levels of daily pasture allocation measured to 5-cm residual pasture height (averaging 30.6, 20.5, 15.1 and 10.9 kg DM/cow.day). Cows with lower allocations were forced to graze further down the vertical plane and pasture intake and milk yield significantly (P &lt; 0.001) declined. Cows grazed the top grazing stratum (TGS) across 80% of the pasture area before re-grazing another area of the paddock, regardless of the allocation level. Pasture intake (kg DM/ha) of the TGS was at least 2.9 times higher than that of the lower strata, regardless of allocation level. Therefore, the decline in pasture intake is explained by the transition from grazing the TGS to grazing lower strata. When the horizontal utilisation of the TGS approached 100%, the proportion of ungrazed, uncontaminated pasture approached 0% of the area, and intake and milk production declined. Grazing management strategies for lucerne should allocate pasture to lactating dairy cows to achieve horizontal utilisations approaching 0% for proportion of ungrazed, uncontaminated pasture to maximise intake and production. Secondary grazing herds or mechanical methods should be used to remove residual pasture to the ideal height for pasture regrowth.

Effect of calcium salts of fatty acids and calcium salt of methionine hydroxy analogue on reproductive responses and milk production in Holstein-Friesian cows

2002 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Fahey ◽  
J.F. Mee ◽  
D. O’Callaghan ◽  
J.J. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Calcium Salts ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractThe effects of a dietary supplement with calcium salts of fatty acids and methionine hydroxy analogue on reproductive performance, blood metabolites, milk production, milk composition, body weight and body condition score was studied in lactating dairy cows. Autumn-calving, Holstein-Friesian cows (no. = 162) were assigned 1 week post calving to one of two diets: (1) unsupplemented maize-silage-based complete diet while housed before turn-out to perennial ryegrass pasture and (2) the same diet with 400 g per cow per day of a supplement with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids and methionine hydroxy analogue (Megalac Plus, Volac Ltd). Eleven cows were removed from the study following randomization for reasons not related to the experiment leaving 151 cows on dietary treatments. The diets were offered until the end of the 18-week breeding period. Cows receiving supplement had higher milk yield and milk lactose production and lower milk protein and milk fat proportion (P < 0·05). Body weight and body condition scores were not different between treatments in the first 20 weeks of lactation (P > 0·05). Overall reproductive performance was not different between dietary treatments (P > 0·05). However, first lactation animals (no. = 33) receiving the dietary lipid and methionine supplement tended to have increased conception rates to first and second service (P < 0·09) which resulted in a shorter calving-to-conception interval in those animals (P < 0·06). Services per conception (P < 0·08), services per cow served (P < 0·05) and services per conception for pregnant cows (P < 0·05) in first lactation animals was reduced in the supplemented group. Although plasma cholesterol concentrations were increased following lipid and methionine supplementation (P < 0·01), plasma progesterone concentrations on day 5 and day 8 after artificial insemination were not different between dietary treatments (P > 0·05). In conclusion, a dietary supplement of calcium salts of fatty acids and methionine hydroxy analogue increased milk yield, milk lactose production and blood cholesterol concentration but did not improve reproductive performance, except in first lactation cows.

Effect of granulated magnesium oxide on the production and composition of milk by cows fed cereal grain and either conserved fodders or pasture

1993 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
SC Valentine ◽  
BD Bartsch ◽  
PD Carroll ◽  
IJ Chirnside
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Magnesium Oxide ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Barley Grain ◽  
Test Period ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Second Period

Milk production and composition were measured in 54 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle fed 8.4 kg DM crushed barley grain daily and either supplemented or not with granulated magnesium oxide (MgO). The supplement was offered for 2 sequential test periods of28 days. During the first test period, cows were offered conserved pasture, conserved cereal crops, and grazed pasture. During the second test period they were only grazed on pasture. In the first period MgO had no effect (b0.05) on milk production or composition. During the second period, more (P<0.05) milkfat was produced by cows offered the MgO supplement than by unsupplemented cows (0.73 v. 0.69 kg/day). During this period the breakeven net milkfat price was calculated as $A1.23/kg.

Effects of pasture allowance on milk production of dairy cows offered increasing amounts of partial mixed rations in spring

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1305 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
M. M. Wright ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
W. J. Wales
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Canola Meal ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Feeding Systems ◽  
Friesian Cows

Milk production was measured in Holstein–Friesian cows offered low, medium or high allowances of ryegrass pasture (15, 25 or 40 kg DM/cow.day to ground level) and receiving different amounts of supplement (6, 10, 12 or 14 kg DM/cow.day) as a partial mixed ration (PMR). The 27-day experiment was conducted in spring when cows were 45 ± 17.3 days in milk (mean ± s.d.). Two groups of six cows received each of the 12 combinations of pasture allowance and PMR amount. The PMR comprised wheat grain (38%, DM basis), maize grain (18%), lucerne hay (22%) and canola meal (22%). When 6 kg DM PMR/cow.day was offered, cows grazing the low allowance produced less milk and energy-corrected milk than did cows grazing the medium and high allowances. There was no effect of pasture allowance on production of milk or energy-corrected milk at any other amount of PMR offered. When cows were offered 14 kg DM PMR/cow.day, milk fat concentrations were lower for cows grazing the high pasture allowance than for cows grazing the medium allowance. There were no differences in milk fat concentrations between cows grazing the different pasture allowances at any other amount of PMR offered. When cows were offered 6 kg DM PMR/cow.day, cows grazing the low pasture allowance yielded less milk fat than did cows grazing the medium pasture allowance. Cows grazing the high allowance had greater concentrations and yields of milk protein than did cows grazing the low allowance at all amounts of PMR offered, while cows grazing the medium allowance yielded more milk protein at some amounts of PMR. Pasture utilisation decreased with increases in both pasture allowance and amount of PMR. These results will enable farmers to better optimise feeding systems that combine both pasture and PMR.

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