Drives and limits to feed intake in ruminants

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Physiological State ◽  
Vagal Afferents ◽  
Energy Status ◽  
Hepatic Oxidation ◽  
Ruminant Diets ◽  
Lactation Cycle ◽  
Osmotic Effects

The control of energy intake is complex, including mechanisms that act independently (e.g. distention, osmotic effects, fuel-sensing) as well as interacting factors that are likely to affect feeding via their effects on hepatic oxidation. Effects of ruminant diets on feed intake vary greatly because of variation in their filling effects, as well as the type and temporal absorption of fuels. Effects of nutrients on endocrine response and gene expression affect energy partitioning, which in turn affects feeding behaviour by altering clearance of fuels from the blood. Dominant mechanisms controlling feed intake change with physiological state, which is highly variable among ruminants, especially through the lactation cycle. Ruminal distention might dominate control of feed intake when ruminants consume low-energy diets or when energy requirements are high, but fuel-sensing by tissues is likely to dominate control of feed intake when fuel supply is in excess of that required. The liver is likely to be a primary sensor of energy status because it is supplied by fuels from the portal drained viscera as well as the general circulation, it metabolises a variety of fuels derived from both the diet and tissues, and a signal related to hepatic oxidation of fuels is conveyed to feeding centres in the brain by hepatic vagal afferents stimulating or inhibiting feeding, depending on its energy status. The effects of somatotropin on export of fuels by milk secretion, effects of insulin on gluconeogenesis, and both on mobilisation and repletion of tissues, determine fuel availability and feed intake over the lactation cycle. Control of feed intake by hepatic energy status, affected by oxidation of fuels, is an appealing conceptual model because it integrates effects of various fuels and physiological states on feeding behaviour.

scholarly journals Association of Feed Efficiency, Feeding Rate, and Behaviour with the Milk Performance of Dairy Cows

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 684-694
Author(s):  
Lenka Krpálková ◽  
Niall O’Mahony ◽  
Anderson Carvalho ◽  
Sean Campbell ◽  
Gerard Corkery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Milk Performance

Identification of the associations of cow feed efficiency with feeding behaviour and milk production is important for supporting recommendations of strategies that optimise milk yield. The objective of this study was to identify associations between measures of feed efficiency, feed intake, feeding rate, rumination time, feeding time, and milk production using data collected from 26 dairy cows during a 3 month period in 2018. Cows averaged (mean ± standard deviation) 2.2 ± 1.7 lactations, 128 ± 40 days in milk, 27.5 ± 5.5 kg/day milk, 1.95 ± 0.69 kg feed/1 kg milk—the measure used to express feed conversion ratio (FCR), 575 ± 72 min/day rumination time, and 264 ± 67 min/day feeding time during the observation period. The coefficient of variation for rumination time (min/d) was 12.5%. A mixed linear model was selected for analyses. The most feed inefficient cows with the highest FCR (≥2.6 kg feed/1 kg milk) showed the lowest milk yield (24.8 kg/day), highest feed intake (78.8 kg), highest feeding rate (0.26 kg/min) and BCS (3.35 point). However, the relative milk yield (milk yield per 100 kg of body weight) was the highest (4.01 kg/day) in the most efficient group with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). Our study showed that the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk) had the highest rumination time (597 min/day; p < 0.05), feeding time (298 min/day; p < 0.05), rumination/activity ratio (4.39; p < 0.05) and rumination/feeding ratio (2.04; p < 0.05). Less active cows (activity time 164 min/day; p < 0.05) were the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). The behavioural differences observed in this study provide new insight into the association of feed behaviour and feed efficiency with milk performance. Incorporating feeding behaviour into the dry matter intake model can improve its accuracy in the future and benefit breeding programmes.

Feeding behaviour of Merino wethers under conditions similar to lot-feeding before live export

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
CL McDonald ◽  
RT Norris ◽  
EJ Speijers ◽  
H Ridings
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Reliable Indicator ◽  
Central Location ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Diet Type ◽  
Live Export ◽  
As If

Sheep from different farms (lines) in Western Australia were mixed in 3 experiments and lot-fed for 6-7 days as if for export. A marking method to identify sheep which eat from troughs was tested and used to examine the effects of feeding treatments on the proportion of sheep which eat during lot-feeding. Paint soaked sponges attached to troughs were used to monitor whether sheep ate. Positive linear relationships between liveweight change and paint marking score (R = 0.93, 0.93 and 0.94, in the 3 experiments) suggested that the technique was a reliable indicator of feed intake. Feeding treatments imposed were period of fasting before lot feeding (experiments 2 and 3); and diet type (hay pellets, hay/pellet mix) and trough location in the feedlot (experiment 3). There were large differences between lines in the percentage of sheep not marked. Values � s.e. ranged from 1 � 1 to 79 � 3% for the 8 lines used in 3 experiments. In experiment 2, fasting for 48 h before lot-feeding resulted in more sheep (P<0.05) not marked (18 � 7 3%) than did fasting for <12 h (9 � 3%) and <24 h (8 � 2%). In experiment 3, fasting for 96 h compared with 48 h resulted in fewer sheep marked daily when fed a hay-pellet mixture (75 � 2 v. 93 � 1%; P<0.001). When fed only pellets in experiment 3, the percentages of marked sheep increased with time (days). Feeding pellets only compared with a hay-pellet mixture resulted in fewer sheep marked daily (60 � 2 v. 79 � 2%; P<0.001) and more sheep not marked (11 � 3 v. 3 � 2%; P<0.05). If troughs were located in the centre of yards instead of on the fenceline, it took 2 rather than 7 days for the daily percentage of animals marked on the pellets only diet to exceed 80%. The central location also resulted in a mean of 78 � 2% of sheep marked daily compared with 67 � 2% for fenceline troughs (P<0.001) and a mean intake higher (P<0.01) by 0.13 � 0.04 kg/wether.day. It was concluded that line of sheep, fasting, diet and trough location all had significant effects on feeding behaviour during lot feeding. Of these treatments, the greatest variation in feeding behaviour was associated with the line of sheep.

scholarly journals Effect of tannins and monensin on feeding behaviour, feed intake, digestive parameters and microbial efficiency of nellore cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 262-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramos Jorge Tseu ◽  
Flavio Perna Junior ◽  
Roberta Ferreira Carvalho ◽  
Guilherme Acácio Sene ◽  
Cristiane Barbosa Tropaldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Microbial Efficiency

Effect of different creep feeding treatments and group composition on the initiation of piglet feeding behaviour immediately post-weaning

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 80-80
Author(s):  
F. H. Reynolds ◽  
H. M. Miller ◽  
J. M. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Maximum Rate ◽  
Learning Effect ◽  
Group Composition ◽  
Learning Behaviour ◽  
Recording Equipment ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Sufficient Food

The post-weaning growth check of the piglet can be attributed to the inability of the animal to eat sufficient food in the initial post weaning period and hence grow at a maximum rate (Pluske et al., 1996). It is essential therefore to identify determinants of individual feed intake characteristics post weaning to improve piglet performance. A palatable creep-diet is often fed to piglets pre-weaning to increase performance and to allow piglets to become familiarised with solid feed sourced from a feeder. Bruininx (2002) et al., demonstrated using single spaced Feed Intake Recording Equipment (FIRE), that creep feed stimulates post-weaning feed intake and gain. In addition, Morgan et al. (2001) investigated feeding behaviour of piglets paired from creep or no creep backgrounds and concluded a learning effect which increased the feeding behaviour of the naïve piglet. The purpose of this experiment, therefore, was to investigate the effect of offering selected litters either creep feed or zero creep (naïve) pre-weaning on their latency to initiate feeding post weaning. It was hypothesised that learning behaviour between piglets may influence feeding initiation and so this experiment would also look at the effect of mixing piglets from the two lactation backgrounds.

Spectral analysis of feeding patterns of steers divergent in residual feed intake

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Dobos ◽  
Robert Herd
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Selection Line ◽  
Feeding Patterns ◽  
Time Spent Feeding ◽  
Efficient Selection

Spectral analysis was used to quantify differences in feeding patterns of Angus steers genetically divergent in residual feed intake (RFI). Forty-two low RFI (more efficient) and 28 high RFI (less efficient) selection line steers were fed a feedlot diet through electronic feeders for 72 days. Mean (±s.e.) daily feed intake was 11.9 ± 0.076 and 12.7 ± 0.095 kg dry matter/day over the 72-day feeding period for low and high RFI steers, respectively. The high RFI steers exhibited different temporal cycles to the low RFI steers in daily feed intake and time spent feeding. However, patterns of number of eating sessions, feeding rate, the time spent eating and the number of eating sessions were similar. Further analysis of daily (24 h) feeding behaviour is required to help improve our understanding of the association between feeding behaviour and feed efficiency.

The effect of feed intake on nutrient and hormone levels in jugular and portal blood in goats

1981 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Jugular Vein ◽  
Insulin Response ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Physiological Control ◽  
Blood Constituents ◽  
Rule Changes

SUMMARYAdult goats provided with permanent jugular and portal vein catheters were used to study the effect of feeding hay and concentrates on blood composition in order to determine which blood constituents might act as signals in the control of feed intake. Animals were fed limited amounts of feed, or were allowed to eat unlimited amounts for restricted periods, once or twice daily. Blood samples were collected at hourly intervals up to 9 h after feeding and often more frequently in the initial hour, and were analysed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactate, glucose, insulin and glucagon.Feed consumption resulted in rapid and large increments of jugular blood acetate, propionate,n-butyrate and 3-methylbutyrate concentrations whereas isobutyrate and 2-methylbutyrate increased only slightly. Jugular propionate,n–butyrate and 3–methyl–butyrate increased within 10 min and acetate within 20 min after feed was offered, both when hay and when concentrates were eaten. Fasting decreased circulating VFA to very low values. As a rule changes of portal VFA paralleled those in the general circulation although both the concentrations and the changes were much greater. Plasma lactate increased within 30 min on a concentrate diet but not at all on a hay diet.Blood glucose declined in the initial hour after feeding and subsequently increased, resulting in a more or less elevated plateau. In some but not all experiments glucose declined before feed consumption, probably owing to ‘anticipation’. Circulating plasma insulin and glucagon appeared to increase slightly, if at all, after feeding. Increased feed intake was reflected in higher base line glucose and insulin concentrations in the jugular vein but the jugular glucose and insulin response to feed consumption was unaffected. Jugular glucagon was not influenced by the amount of feed. Jugular insulin and glucagon sometimes showed a brief peak during eating. Portal glucose, insulin and glucagon gave essentially the same pattern as seen in the jugular vein.In conclusion, it appears that, of the substances studied, acetate, propionate, nbutyrate and 3-methylbutyrate are most suited for the function of feedback signals in the physiological control of feed intake in goats under the conditions of the present experiment. It seems less probable that glucose, insulin and glucagon can play such a role.

Effects of number and siting of single-space feeders on performance and feeding behaviour of growing pigs

1994 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. T. S. Morrow ◽  
N. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Number Of Visits

SUMMARYTwo experiments of randomized block design were carried out at the Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland in 1991/92 involving groups of 20 pigs fed ad libitum from single-space feeders with built-in water supply from 37 kg to slaughter at 91 kg liveweight.Treatments were replicated 16 and 6 times respectively in Experiments 1 and 2. In the first experiment, one feeder perpen was compared with two feeders per pen positioned side by side. Two feeders increased feed intake (P < 0·05) but had no significant effects on growth rate or feed conversion. With two feeders, the total time that feeders were occupied and the number of visits to feeders were both increased, while the number of enforced withdrawals from feeders and the amount of queuing were both decreased compared with the single feeder. In the second experiment, placing two feeders 2 m or more apart instead of side by side had no significant effects on feed intake or growth rate but improved feed conversion efficiency by 4%. This improvement was associated with fewer and longer visits to feeders but no difference in enforced withdrawals or queuing. In both experiments all treatments showed broadly similar patterns of diurnal feeding behaviour with two peaks of activity daily, a smaller peak pre-midday and a larger one in the afternoon. This pattern was influenced more by number of visits to feeders than by the mean duration of each visit. It is recommended that two single-space feeders are used in pens of 20 finishing pigs when non-pelleted diets are offered ad libitum and that feeders are sited some distance apart, not side by side.

scholarly journals Investigations on automatically measured feed intake amount in dairy cows during the oestrus period

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Halli ◽  
C. Koch ◽  
F.-J. Romberg ◽  
S. Hoy
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Fresh Matter ◽  
Oestrus Cycle ◽  
Number Of Visits ◽  
Time Spent Feeding ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine whether feed intake amount and feed intake behaviour could be related to oestrus in dairy cows. Furthermore, we investigated whether oestrus had an effect on daily milk yield. A total of 138 oestrus cycles, leading to conception of 100 cows, were analysed. The parameters "daily fresh matter intake amount (kg)", "daily number of visits to the feeding trough" and "time spent feeding per day (min)" were electronically measured and recorded. For a sub-quantity of all animals, daily milk yield (kg) was recorded continuously and stored in the herd management software. Special attention was given to the day of oestrus, which was defined as the day of successful insemination. All remaining days of the oestrus cycle were considered as the reference period. Among all animals and cycles, fresh matter intake amount per day, number of visits per day, and time spent feeding per day were reduced by 10.3, 9.1 and 20.8 %, respectively, on the day of oestrus. Fresh matter intake was significantly lower in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. However, number of visits to the trough and time spent feeding per day were significantly higher in primiparous cows compared to multiparous cows. Day of oestrus did not have a significant effect on daily milk yield, as this parameter was characterized by high variation among all days of the oestrus cycle. In conclusion, if an RIC system is used, monitoring of feeding behaviour appears to be a potential auxiliary aid in oestrus detection.

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