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

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 778 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
M. M. Wright ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
M. C. Hannah ◽  
E. Kennedy ◽  
...  

Milk production responses were measured in grazing cows offered mixed rations with or without canola meal. Experiments were conducted in spring (Experiment 1; early lactation) and autumn (Experiment 2; late lactation). The experiments used 140 (Experiment 1) or 96 (Experiment 2) Holstein-Friesian multiparous dairy cows that had calved in late winter/early spring. Each experiment lasted 28 days including a 14-day adjustment period and a 14-day measurement period during which intake and milk production was measured. In each experiment, there were two dietary treatments: PMR: cows grazed a restricted pasture allowance (10–15 kg DM/cow per day, measured to ground level) supplemented with a PMR comprising wheat grain (60%, DM basis), lucerne hay (21%) and maize grain (19%); and PMR+C: cows were fed the same as the PMR cows, but some wheat grain in the PMR was replaced with solvent-extracted canola meal so that it comprised wheat grain (39%, DM basis), lucerne hay (21%), maize grain (19%) and canola meal (21%). The two treatments were randomly allocated to half the cows in each experiment. Cows were then further allocated into 10 groups of 7 cows (Experiment 1) or 8 groups of 6 cows (Experiment 2). Two groups of cows were assigned to receive a different amount of each ration: 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16 kg DM total supplement/cow per day for Experiment 1 and 6, 8, 10 or 12 kg DM total supplement/cow per day for Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, yields of energy corrected milk (ECM), milk fat, and milk protein were greater for PMR+C cows than PMR cows when 12 kg/cow per day of supplement or more was offered. Milk protein concentration was greater in PMR+C cows than PMR cows but only when 16 kg DM supplement/cow per day was offered. These changes in milk yield and composition were associated with increases in the intakes of pasture, supplement and total DM intake in the PMR+C cows compared with the PMR cows. In Experiment 2 there were no differences in milk yield or composition between PMR and PMR+C cows at any amount of supplement offered, nor were there any differences in intakes of pasture, supplement or total DM intake. It is concluded that replacing some of the wheat in a well-formulated PMR with canola meal can stimulate DMI and increase per-cow production of ECM when high amounts of supplement are fed in early lactation, but not late lactation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruairi P McDonnell ◽  
Martin vH Staines

This research paper describes the effect of partially replacing wheat with maize grain and canola meal on milk production and body condition changes in early lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows consuming a grass silage-based diet over an 83-d period. Two groups of 39 cows were stratified for age, parity, historical milk yield and days in milk (DIM), and offered one of two treatment diets. The first treatment (CON) reflected a typical diet used by Western Australian dairy producers in summer and comprised (kg DM/cow per d); 8 kg of annual ryegrass silage, 6 kg of crushed wheat (provided once daily in a mixed ration), 3·6 kg of crushed lupins (provided in the milking parlour in two daily portions) and ad libitum lucerne haylage. The second treatment diet (COMP) was identical except the 6 kg of crushed wheat was replaced by 6 kg of a more complex concentrate mix (27% crushed wheat, 34% maize grain and 37% canola meal). Lucerne haylage was provided independently in the paddock to all cows, and no pasture was available throughout the experiment. The COMP group had a greater mean overall daily intake (22·5vs20·4 kg DM/cow) and a higher energy corrected milk (ECM) yield (29·2vs27·1 kg/cow;P= 0·047) than the CON cows. The difference in overall intake was caused by a higher daily intake of lucerne haylage in COMP cows (4·5vs2·3 kg DM/cow). The CON group had a higher concentration of milk fat (42·1vs39·3 g/kg;P= 0·029) than COMP cows. Milk protein yield was greater in COMP cows (P< 0·021); however, milk fat yield was unaffected by treatment. It is concluded that partially replacing wheat with canola meal and maize grain in a grass silage-based diet increases voluntary DMI of conserved forage and consequently yields of ECM and milk protein.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 869 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
J. S. Greenwood ◽  
M. M. Wright ◽  
M. Hannah ◽  
...  

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.


1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Valentine ◽  
BD Bartsch

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ristanic Marko ◽  
Glavinic Uros ◽  
Vejnovic Branislav ◽  
Maletic Milan ◽  
Kirovski Danijela ◽  
...  

AbstractThe most common types of beta-casein in cow’s milk are A1 and A2, which differ in one amino acid. During the gastrointestinal proteolysis of A1 beta-casein in humans this difference results in the release of beta-casomorphin-7, an opioid which may lead to severe effects on human health, causing various ailments (type-1 diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, arteriosclerosis, sudden infant death syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, gastrointestinal digestive discomfort, as well as increased gastrointestinal transit time). By contrast, A2 beta-casein cannot exert these effects owing to its different composition and metabolism. Furthermore, studies have shown that it can influence milk productivity traits. Our research aimed to screen the frequency of A1 and A2 alleles of beta-casein gene in a population of Serbian Holstein-Friesian cows and to detect how the genotypes influence milk production, and milk protein and fat yields. Out of 106 animals, 13 (12.26%) were of A1A1 genotype, 58 (54.72%) of A1A2, and 35 (33.02%) of A2A2 genotype. Milk yield was significantly (P---lt---0.01) higher in A2A2 compared to both A1A1 and A1A2 genotypes. Milk protein concentrations were significantly (P---lt---0.01) higher in A2A2 compared to A1A2 genotype, while milk fat concentrations were significantly (P---lt---0.01) higher in A2A2 compared to both A1A1 and A1A2 genotypes.


2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (11) ◽  
pp. 1167 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Wales ◽  
L. C. Marett ◽  
J. S. Greenwood ◽  
M. M. Wright ◽  
J. B. Thornhill ◽  
...  

There is a growing diversity and complexity of dairy farming systems in Australia. Feeding systems based on the provision of mixed rations to dairy cows grazing perennial pastures (termed partial mixed rations or PMR systems) have emerged and present the dairy industry with opportunities for improved production and feed efficiency, but also with significant challenges. Early research results are beginning to define the situations in which PMR systems are profitable and the mechanisms responsible for the improved milk responses. This review focuses on the role of PMR feeding systems in temperate dairying regions of Australia, highlights initial research findings, and identifies some of the gaps in current knowledge that warrant further research. The key findings were that, when very low allowances of pasture are offered to cows, milk production responses were driven mostly by increases in dry matter (DM) intake, and there appeared to be a minimal contribution to increased energy supply from improved whole tract DM digestibility. Differences in milk responses became apparent when >10 kg of total supplement DM was consumed (0.75 : 0.25 concentrate to forage) as PMR. There was a consistent maintenance of milk fat concentration when increasing amounts of concentrates were consumed as PMR, in contrast with supplements consumed in the dairy. There was also a consistent finding that replacing some wheat in the PMR with canola meal resulted in cows consuming more grazed pasture despite the limitations of very low pasture allowances (10–15 kg DM/cow.day, expressed to ground level). This was accompanied by further increases in energy-corrected milk yield. The potential to improve DM intake was further highlighted when pasture allowance was increased, with intake increasing from 3.6% to 4.5% of liveweight (from 20 to 25 kg DM/day for a 550-kg cow). There was also an indication that ~50% of the milk production benefit from PMR can be captured by providing the concentrate supplement as a grain mix in the dairy. There did not appear to be negative impacts of PMR systems on the social and grazing behaviour or health of cows.


1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Sipőcz ◽  
J. Schmidt ◽  
J. Sipőcz ◽  
Éva Cenkvári

The ruminal stability of Mepron M 85 and the effect of supplementation with Mepron M 85 on free methionine level of blood were studied in rumen-fistulated cows and rumen- and duodenum-fistulated growing bulls. In five rumen-fistulated cowsin situ69.5% and 64.6% of the methionine content of Mepron M 85 was found after ruminal incubation of 16 h and 24 h, respectively. Daily rations of the rumen-fistulated cows were supplemented with 15.0 g DL-methionine and 17.7 g Mepron M 85, which increased the free methionine level of blood from 13.64 (mol/L to 15.35 and 20.46 (mol/L, respectively, three hours after feeding. In the four rumen- and duodenum-fistulated growing bulls, supplementation with 15.0 g DL-methionine and 17.7 g Mepron M 85 increased the total methionine getting into the duodenum during 24 h from 14.99 g to 16.84 and 20.84 g, respectively. The influence of Mepron M 85 on milk production was studied in 35 pairs of Hungarian Fleckvieh × Holstein-Friesian cows. The animals were coupled on the basis of the number of finished lactations, milk production in the previous lactation, and the date of calving. Daily supplementation of 18.0 g Mepron M 85 increased daily milk production significantly (p < 0.05), by 1.24 litres. Milk fat content also increased significantly (from 3.10% to 3.19%, p < 0.05) in the experimental group. The supplementation did not influence milk protein content.


2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
B. C. Granzin

Two experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of timing of protein supplementation on performance of grazing, lactating Holstein–Friesian cows fed maize silage and grain-based concentrate. In experiment 1, 36 cows were fed 0.8 kg DM/day of solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (CSM) either as 1 meal at 1200 hours with maize silage (CSM 1200) or at 1530 hours with concentrate (CSM 1530), or in 2 meals at 0600 and 1530 hours with concentrate (CSM 600 + 1530). In experiment 2, 36 cows were either fed no CSM (control) or fed 1.0 kg DM/day as either CSM 1200 or CSM 600 + 1530. In experiment 1, daily yields of 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) and milk fat for CSM 600 + 1530 were significantly higher than for CSM 1530 with respective means of 22.8 v. 20.7 L and 895 v. 804 g. Daily yields of FCM and milk fat for CSM 1200 were intermediate (21.7 L and 841 g/cow, respectively). A similar trend for daily protein yield per cow was noted (712, 695 and 666 g for CSM 600 + 1530, 1200 and 1530, respectively). In experiment 2, milk yield differed numerically between CSM 600 + 1530 and other treatments, with means (± s.e.d.) of 24.7 ± 0.78, 22.9 ± 0.78 and 22.9 ± 0.78 L/cow.day for CSM 600 + 1530, CSM 1200 and control, respectively. Mean (± s.e.d.) net energy requirements for milk production and liveweight change tended to be lower for the control (68 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day) as opposed to CSM 600 + 1530 (79 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day) and CSM 1200 (76 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day). Cumulative time where rumen degradable nitrogen:rumen degradable dry matter was less than 22 g/kg were 2, 2 and 3 h for CSM 600 + 1530, CSM 1200 and CSM 1530, respectively, in experiment 1, and 6, 4 and 2 h for the control, 1200 and CSM 600 + 1530, respectively, in experiment 2. No differences in rumen ammonia-N concentrations were noted between treatments in experiment 1. In experiment 2, a significantly lower mean (± s.e.d.) rumen ammonia-N concentration was recorded for the control at 1530 hours (62 ± 14.1 mg/dL) in comparison to CSM 600 + 1530 (114 ± 14.1 mg/dL) and CSM 1200 (119 ± 14.1 mg/dL). These experiments show that for grazing dairy cows supplemented with maize silage and grain-based concentrate, feeding a daily aliquot of CSM as 2 meals at 0600 and 1530 hours rather than 1 meal at 1200 or 1530 hours improves milk production.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 7) ◽  
pp. 256-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dusza ◽  
J. Pokorska ◽  
J. Makulska ◽  
D. Kulaj ◽  
M. Cupial

Bovine mastitis is a widespread disease of the mammary gland, highly contributing to the increase in veterinary costs in dairy industry. In the present study, the genetic polymorphism within bovine L-selectin gene was analysed and its impact on clinical mastitis occurrence, somatic cell score (SCS), and milk production traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows was examined. Polymorphism within L-selectin gene, molecule responsible for neutrophil attachment to endothelium, might have a potential role in immune response to bacterial infections and udder health. Two hundred and six Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms mutations within the coding sequence of L-selectin gene were identified (c.165G&gt;A and c.567C&gt;T). The effect of c.165G&gt;A and c.567C&gt;T mutations on SCS was highly significant (P = 0.0019 and P = 0.0003, respectively). Strong associations (P ≤ 0.0001) were also observed between L-selectin polymorphism and milk production traits (milk yield, milk fat percentage, and milk protein percentage). However, the polymorphism in the analysed gene had no influence on the resistance or susceptibility of cows to clinical mastitis (only the tendency toward significance, P = 0.06 for c.567C&gt;T mutation was found). Potential exploitation of the information on the identified associations in genetic selection needs to confirm the obtained results in further investigations.


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