Milk performance and grazing behaviour of dairy cows in response to pasture allowance

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 749
Author(s):  
A. M. Zanine ◽  
G. P. R. Motta ◽  
D. J. Ferreira ◽  
A. L. de Souza ◽  
M. D. Ribeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Fibre Content ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Milk Performance ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pasture allowances on forage production, milk yield and composition, and grazing behaviour of Holstein cows during autumn. Thirty-six Holstein cows calving in the autumn were allocated to blocks considering: calving date, bodyweight, and body score. Treatments consisted of three pasture allowances as follows: high (HA; 38.4 kg DM/cow.day), medium (MA; 30.3 kg DM/cow.day), and low (LA; 26.8 kg DM/cow.day) pasture allowances. Forage mass and forage height pre-grazing were similar (P > 0.05) for all grazing targets. Pasture-use efficiency was affected (P < 0.05) by the pasture allowance. The highest and lowest efficiency was obtained with treatments LA and HA, respectively. The neutral detergent fibre content of forage harvesting was affected (P < 0.05) by the pasture allowance, with average of 44.8, 47.0, and 49.4 to HA, MA, and LA, respectively. There was an effect of pasture allowances (P < 0.05) on the milk yield per hectare and milk yield per cow. The highest production was observed in LA (438 L/ha.day) and the lowest in HA (314 L/ha.day). The percentage of milk fat, milk protein, and milk fat (g/cow.day) did not differ (P > 0.05) among pasture allowances. There was effect (P < 0.05) of pasture allowance with higher grazing time (369 min) and lower rumination time (23.3 min) observed to HA. Pasture allowances affected (P < 0.05) the total number of bites/day and bites/min, but did not affect (P > 0.05) bite mass. The pasture managements with low (26.8 kg DM/cow.day) pasture allowances provided better conditions for milk yield per area, likely due to the better grazing efficiency. However, pasture allowance provide little measurable changes on grazing behaviour.

The effects on milk yield and composition of incorporating lactose into the diet of dairy cows given protected fat

1996 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Garnsworthy
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Fat Supplementation ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Group A

AbstractTwenty-eight Holstein/Friesian dairy cows were divided into four groups of seven. From weeks 4 to 15 of lactation they were given a basal diet consisting of 8 kg hay, 2 kg sugar-beet feed and 2 kg grass nuts, together with a concentrate allowance of 8 kg/day. Concentrates for group A were based on cereals and soya (control). Concentrate B contained 60 g protected fat supplement per kg; concentrate C contained 100 g lactose per kg; concentrate D contained 60 g fat supplement and 100 g lactose per kg. Milk yields were 24·6, 27·7, 25·6 and 26·5 kg/day and milk protein concentrations were 32·3, 30·7, 32·7 and 31·9 g/kg for groups A, B, C and D respectively. The effect of fat supplementation on milk yield and protein concentration was significant (P < 0·05) but the effect of lactose was not significant. Milk fat concentration was not significantly affected by treatment. It is concluded that lactose can partially alleviate the depression in milk protein concentration often observed when cows are given protected fat.

scholarly journals Betaine Improves Milk Yield in Grazing Dairy Cows Supplemented with Concentrates at High Temperatures

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Dunshea ◽  
Kehinde Oluboyede ◽  
Kristy DiGiacomo ◽  
Brian Leury ◽  
Jeremy Cottrell
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Betaine Supplementation ◽  
Daily Milk

Betaine is an organic osmolyte sourced from sugar beet that accumulates in plant cells undergoing osmotic stress. Since the accumulation of betaine lowers the energy requirements of animals and, therefore, metabolic heat production, the aim of this experiment was to investigate if betaine supplementation improved milk yield in grazing dairy cows in summer. One hundred and eighteen Friesian × Holstein cows were paired on days in milk and, within each pair, randomly allocated to a containing treatment of either 0 or 2 g/kg natural betaine in their concentrate ration for approximately 3 weeks during February/March 2015 (summer in Australia). The mean maximum February temperature was 30 °C. Cows were allocated approximately 14 kg dry matter pasture and 7.5 kg of concentrate pellets (fed in the milking shed) per cow per day and were milked through an automatic milking system three times per day. Betaine supplementation increased average daily milk yield by over 6% (22.0 vs. 23.4 kg/day, p < 0.001) with the response increasing as the study progressed as indicated by the interaction (p < 0.001) between betaine and day. Milk fat % (p = 0.87), milk protein % (p = 0.90), and milk somatic cell count (p = 0.81) were unchanged by dietary betaine. However, betaine supplementation increased milk protein yield (677 vs. 719 g/day, p < 0.001) and fat yield (874 vs. 922 g/day, p < 0.001) with responses again being more pronounced as the study progressed. In conclusion, dietary betaine supplementation increased milk and component yield during summer in grazing dairy cows.

The relationship between milk progesterone and milk traits during estrus in dairy Cows

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gavelis ◽  
V. Þilaitis ◽  
A Juozaitis ◽  
V. Juozaitienë ◽  
G. Urbonavièius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Milk Traits ◽  
Subclinical Ketosis ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to evaluate relationship between milk progesterone concentration (P4) and milk traits at the start of estrus time and 12h after start of the estrus in dairy cows. The 96 milk samples of 48 Lithuanian dairy cows without reproduction disorders and 90–100 days after calving were evaluated. Cows were classified into two groups based on milk yield per day: less than 30 kg (n=20) and e”30 kg (n=28). Data were categorized by milk fat and protein content at the start estrus and 12h after start of estrus to evaluate relationship between P4 and milk traits examined. P4 at estrus time in dairy cows was significantly positively correlated with milk yield (P less than 0.001), whereas it was negatively correlated with milk protein (P less than 0.05-P less than 0.01) and fat at 12h after start of estrus. Dairy cows with F/P from 1.0 to 1.5 had the lowest P4 in milk. Results of the pregnancy in dairy cows were related with lower P4 and milk yield level (P less than 0.001), higher milk fat (P less than 0.05) and milk protein content (P less than 0.001). These cows had 1.90 times lower prevalence of the signs of subclinical ketosis (P less than 0.05) at estrus time when compared with non-pregnant cows. As a result, it was clearly demonstrated that P4 in dairy cows can help to evaluate and improve the reproductive properties of cows.

The effect of feeding diets containing intact or partially detoxified lupin on voluntary intake and milk production by Friesian dairy cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Mukisira ◽  
L. E. Phillip ◽  
B. N. Mitaru
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Voluntary Food Intake

AbstractThe study determined the effects of partial removal of alkaloids (detoxification) in crushed lupin seed (CLS) on voluntary food intake, and yield and composition of milk from dairy cattle. Twenty multiparous Friesian dairy cows (first 90 days of lactation) were assigned, according to a randomized complete-block design, to five diets. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (25·6 g N per kg of diet dry matter (DM)) and contained napier grass, lucerne hay, maize bran and urea. The control diet (CON) contained sunflower meal; two diets contained intact CLS at 150 (LUI-15) or 300 g (LUl-30) per kg diet DM. The other two diets contained detoxified CLS at 150 (LUD-15) or 300 g (LUD-30) per kg diet DM. Lupin seeds were detoxified by treatment with boiling water, followed by steeping in cold water. The diets were analysed by gas chromatography for the alkaloids, lupanine and 13-hydroxylupanine. The total alkaloid content of LUI-15 and LUl-30 was 3·8 and 8·0 g/kg diet DM, respectively; by contrast that of LUD-15 and LUD-30 was 2·1 and 5·2 g/kg diet DM respectively. Increasing the level of intact CLS in the diet led to a decrease in voluntary food intake. Cows given LUl-30 had a lower milk yield (11·1 kg/day) than those given LUI-15 (13·8 kg/day;P< 0·01) but there was no difference in either milk protein yield or content. Detoxification of lupin removed proportionately about 0·40 of the total alkaloids from intact CLS and increased food intake, and the yield of milk and milk protein (P< 0·05) but reduced milk fat content. Detoxification of CLS also reduced the rumen degradability of lupin protein (P< 0·05). It is concluded that the reduction in organic matter intake and milk yield of cows given diets containing intact CLS was due to the presence of lupanine and 13-hydroxylupanine. To maximize its usage in diets for dairy cattle, lupin should be detoxified; it can then be included at levels up to 300 g/kg diet DM.

Benefits of accurately allocating feed on a daily basis to dairy cows grazing pasture

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
K. McKean ◽  
K. S. Nandra ◽  
I. M. Barchia
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Milk Component ◽  
Supplementary Feed

Two experiments were conducted, each over several months, when cows grazed either ryegrass (September–November 2001) or kikuyu (February–March 2002) pastures, to assess the effects of accurately allocating feed on a daily basis to lactating Holstein–Friesian dairy cows. In each case, 28 cows were randomly stratified into 2 equal groups on the basis of milk and milk component yield, liveweight, age and days in lactation. The metabolisable energy requirements of the animals were estimated from standard established requirements. In each experiment, both groups of cows received the same amount of supplement over a period that was equivalent to a pasture regrowth cycle of 12–16 days. The control group received a set amount of supplements each day, while supplements fed to the adjusted group varied, dependent on pasture available. Available pasture was varied from 7 to 21 kg DM/cow.day (above a stubble height of 5 cm), to mimic the variation found on well-managed dairy farms. When pasture available was above the predicted requirement for cows in the adjusted group, pasture availability was restricted to predicted requirements and the extra milk that could be produced from the spared pasture was estimated. However, cows in the control group had the opportunity to eat more pasture if allocated more than required. This could result in more milk being produced, a gain in liveweight, and/or a higher post-grazing pasture residue (and hence potentially improve pasture regrowth). If less pasture than required was allocated to the control group, production could reduce or the cows might graze harder. Thus, in the control group the proportion of forage to supplement remained relatively constant, but intake varied in relation to pasture allocated, while for the adjusted group the total intake was kept relatively constant. In experiment 1 (ryegrass), the milk yield, percentage of milk fat and liveweight change of cows in the control and adjusted groups was not significantly different. However, the cows in the adjusted group produced 0.016 kg/cow.day more milk protein. As the control group ate 0.35 kg DM/cow.day more ryegrass pasture (P = 0.008) it is assumed that accurate daily allocation of feed improved feed efficiency. In experiment 2, the milk yield and percentage of milk protein of cows grazing kikuyu pastures was not significantly different between groups but the percentage of milk fat and covariate-corrected liveweight at the end of the experiment was higher in the control group than in the adjusted group. The pasture spared by cows in the adjusted group was predicted to produce 8.9% more milk when grazing ryegrass pasture and 12.3% when grazing kikuyu pasture. Linear regression analysis of pasture on offer on post-grazing pasture residue was not significant for the cows in the adjusted group but was significant for the control group cows when grazing either pasture, indicating success in accurately allocating supplementary feed to maintain a constant grazing pressure. The results of this study should assist dairy farmers in deciding whether the effort required to allocate feed accurately to dairy cows on a daily basis, is worthwhile.

The influence of the fat concentration of the diet on the response by dairy cows to body condition at calving

1992 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Garnsworthy ◽  
C. D. Huggett
Keyword(s):  
Sugar Beet ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Sugar Beet Pulp ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Beet Pulp ◽  
Ad Libitum

AbstractTwenty-four Friesian dairy cows were divided into two groups of 12 between 12 and 18 weeks prior to calving and fed to achieve condition scores at calving of 3·2 (F) or 2·3 (T). For the first 11 weeks of lactation, six cows from each group (H) were given daily 9 kg of a high-fat compound (acid ether extract (AEE) 96 g/kg dry matter (DM)), 3 kg molassed sugar-beet pulp and hay ad libitum. The other six cows in each group (L) were given 10 kg of a low-fat compound (AEE 29 g/kg DM), 2 kg sugar-beet pulp and hay ad libitum. Allowances of compound and sugar-beet pulp were designed to provide equal amounts of energy, neutral-detergent fibre and protein. The fat source used in compound H was a calcium salt of palm acid oil (Megalac®).DM intake was not affected by treatment but fat intake was significantly higher on diet H (P < 0·001). Group TH had higher intakes of digestible energy (DE) than group FH (249 v. 229 MJ/day; P < 0·05), but condition at calving did not affect DE intake with diet L (FL = 230, TL = 233 MJ/day). Milk yield was not significantly affected by treatment, although cows in group TL tended to yield less milk than other groups (28·3, 27·3, 28·0 and 24·3 kg/day for FH, FL, TH and TL respectively). The concentration of milk fat was higher and of milk protein lower with diet H compared with diet L (milk fat 48·1, 42·2, 42·9 and 39·6; milk protein 28·0, 31·0, 28·4 and 30·5 g/kg for FH, FL, TH and TL respectively). Loss of condition score was greater for cows in group F (0·65 units) than for those in group T (0·04 units). Within group F, loss of condition tended to be greater with diet L.It is concluded that the increased intake of fat with diet H tended to decrease loss of condition in cows that were fat at calving but increase milk yield in cows that were thin at calving. It also tended to increase milk fat concentration but decreased milk protein concentration.

Effect of duodenal proline infusion on milk production and composition in dairy cows

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bruckental ◽  
I. Ascarelli ◽  
B. Yosif ◽  
E. Alumot
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Protein Yield ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Arginine Uptake ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractFour Israeli-Friesian cows, two at peak and two at mid lactation, were fitted with duodenal cannulas. They were given proline or water infusions for 8-day periods to evaluate the effect of duodenal infusion of proline on arginine uptake by the mammary gland and on milk yield and composition of dairy cows. Milk fat content and 40 g/kg fat-corrected milk yield increased for all cows due to proline infusion. Milk protein concentration during either early or mid lactation and milk protein yield during early lactation, were not affected by proline infusion. Milk protein yield during mid lactation was increased due to proline infusion. Arginine uptake by the udder dropped by one-half during proline infusion. Results suggest that post-ruminal administration of supplemental proline reduced requirements for arginine by the udder and improved efficiency of dietary energy utilization.

scholarly journals Effects of mammae hand massages on oxytocin release, milk yield, and milk quality in dairy cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
Inggit Kentjonowaty ◽  
Achmad Bagus Adhiluhung Mardhotillah ◽  
Trinil Susilawati ◽  
Puguh Surjowardojo
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Milk Quality ◽  
Randomized Block Design ◽  
Oxytocin Release

<p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong>Objective: </strong><span lang="EN-GB">The objective of this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Mammae Hand Massages (MHM) on oxytocin release, milk yield, and milk quality in dairy cows.</span></p><p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong><span lang="EN">Twelve dairy cows with the following criterion: 5-yr-old, 1st to 9th month of lactation, and average body weight of 390 ± 5.55 kg were used. Cows were assigned in a randomized block design with 4 treatments, i.e T0 (without massage), T1 (MHM for 20 s), T2 (MHM for 50 s), and T3 (MHM for 80 s). Oxytocin release, milk yield, and milk quality were measured accordingly</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><strong></strong></p><p class="MDPI17abstract"><strong>Results: </strong><span lang="EN">The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that MHM had a very significant effect on milk production (P &lt;0.01) as evidenced by the MHM 50 s treatment obtained the highest average milk production (13.08 ± 3.38 liters/head/day) compared to the MHM 20 s, MHM 80 s and control. MHM (1-1.6 volts) for 50 s resulted in the highest release of oxytocin (0.22955 pcg/0.1mL) at 240 seconds compared to control, MHM 20 s and 80 s. Likewise, the percentage of milk protein content (2.96 ± 0.03) and milk fat content (4.27 ± 0.70) was highest at MHM 50 s</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><strong></strong></p><strong><span>Conclusions: </span></strong><span lang="EN">It can be concluded that MHM (1-1.6 volts) for 50 seconds increases the release of oxytocin, milk production, and milk quality in terms of the percentage of milk protein and fat content</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span>

scholarly journals Polymorphism of CSN3, Pit-1, LGB and its impact on milk performance traits at the Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breed

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-136
Author(s):  
Ivan Manga ◽  
Jan Říha ◽  
Irena Vrtková
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Holstein Breed ◽  
Lactation Stage ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
Milk Performance

The effect of known CSN3, Pit-1 and LGB genes single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on milk performance traits (milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content, count of somatic cells) at the Czech Fleckvieh and the Holstein cattle breed was estimated. For more exact results, tested cows of each breed came from one source, and were selected into two groups according to their lactation. We tested around 100 animals at the first and 25 at the high (more than five) lactation of both breeds. Our attention was aimed particularly on combined genotypes of favourable alleles. We confirmed the positive tendention of the cheese yield valuable CSN3/BB with Pit-1/AA combined genotype for high milk production. By estimation of single gene effect, we found out significant association (P ≤ 0.01) between milk yield (kg) and Pit-1 genotypes at Holstein cows with the high lactation. This dependence was observed at the Czech Fleckvieh breed too, even it didn’t get conclusive value. Among all tested individuals, CSN3 genotypes significantly influenced milk yield (AA > BB, P ≤ 0.01), milk fat (BB > AA, P ≤ 0.01) and protein content (BB > AA, P ≤ 0.01). The genotypes AB and BB of the LGB gene at Holstein cows were joined with higher milk yield in selected cattle groups opposite to AA genotype (P ≤ 0.01, P ≤ 0.05). The influence of LGB on the somatic cell count in created cattle groups was not confirmed. Estimation of allele and genotype frequency according to lactation stage didn’t reveal higher differences at non of tested genes in both breeds.

Effect of the level of concentrate supplementation, herbage allowance and milk yield at turn-out on the performance of dairy cows in mid lactation at grazing

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Delaby ◽  
J. L. Peyraud ◽  
R. Delagarde
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Cow Performance

AbstractIn order to establish the response of dairy cow performance to concentrate supplementation in contrasting grazing conditions and for cows differing in milk yield at turn-out, three experiments were conducted. Each year, two levels of herbage allowance were studied in interaction with four (experiment 1) or three (experiments 2 and 3) levels of concentrate on two groups of 30 to 40 mid-lactation Holstein cows producing between 20 and 46 kg milk at turnout. Amount of concentrate and herbage allowance ranged from 0 to 6 kg fresh weight and from 12 to 22 kg dry matter (DM) per cow per day respectively. The supplementation led to average responses, per kg DM concentrate, of 104 kg milk, +66 g/day body-weight gain, +0·19 g/kg milk protein and -0·57 g/kg milk fat. These responses remained linear up to 4 or 6 kg according to the years and treatments. The response to the concentrate did not vary with the milk yield or composition at turn-out. The increase in the herbage allowance from 12 to 16 kg DM per cow per day (experiment 1) improved milk yield (+1·2 kg/day) and milk protein (+0·7 g/kg) while the increase from 16 to 22 kg DM (experiments 2 and 3) had less effect (+0·5 kg/day milk yield and +0·4 g/kg milk protein). There was no clear interaction between concentrate supplementation and herbage allowance. Under the usual conditions of spring pasture, with cows in mid lactation, the use of a constant level of concentrate at grazing proves to be a technique of some interest.

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