Persian clover and maize silage. III. Rumen fermentation and balance of nutrients when clover and silage are fed to lactating dairy cows

Six rumen fistulated dairy cows, at various stages of lactation, were housed in metabolism stalls on a total of nine occasions in three experiments in which various combinations of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and maize (Zea mays) silage were offered. These experiments considered some aspects of digestion of Persian clover and Persian clover/maize silage diets in order to understand the good milk yield responses attributed to maize silage measured in previous research. Rumen ammonia concentrations and nylon bag degradation rates suggested that the cows made better use of one or both feeds when Persian clover and maize silage were offered together than they did when Persian clover was offered alone. While Persian clover and maize silage appeared to be a substantially inferior diet in terms of apparent in vivo digestibility coefficients and availability of nutrients when compared with Persian clover offered alone, milk yields were unaffected. In addition, no matter how much maize silage was offered, milk fat content remained constant. These results were attributed to an improved balance of absorbed nutrients.

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Persian clover and maize silage. I. Silage as a supplement for lactating dairy cows offered herbage of different quality

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9941751 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 1751 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

CR Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Perennial Ryegrass ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Protein Content ◽

Persian Clover ◽

Basal Ration

A penfeeding experiment, involving 29 lactating dairy cows, was undertaken to assess the use of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinaturn) herbage instead of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)-dominant herbage as the basal ration in diets in which maize silage (0 to 10.6 kg DM/cow day-1) was used as a supplement. This was supported by a second experiment in which 16 cows grazed limited amounts of Persian clover pasture (herbage allowance of 16.5 kg DM/cow day-1) and were supplemented with various amounts of maize silage (0 to 8.3 kg DM/cow daym-1). In the pen experiment, feeding maize silage to cows grossly underfed with perennial ryegrass pasture resulted in a marginal response to additional feeding of 0.9 kg milk for each of the first 5 kg DM of supplement eaten. This level of supplementary feeding constituted about 40% of the diet. Thereafter, maize silage resulted in virtually no additional milk and the best fed cows only produced about 20 kg of milk. A much greater response in milk yield (1.4 kg milk/kg DM of additional maize silage eaten) was obtained when Persian clover was substituted as the basal ration. There were no differences in milk composition or changes in body condition between cows offered the different basal herbages. Milk fat content averaged 3.9% across all cows, while milk protein content and change in body condition increased by 0.03% and 0.13 units for each additional kg DM of maize silage eaten each day. In the grazing experiment, when a small amount of maize silage was fed to the cows, the marginal return was 1.2 kg milk for each additional kg DM of maize silage eaten. This is only slightly lower than that reported for the indoor feeding study. A major reason for the good response was the negligible substitution of maize silage for Persian clover that occurred with the first increment of supplement in the diet. With higher levels of maize silage feeding, no extra milk was produced. It was the increase in the level of substitution at the higher levels of maize silage that eliminated the possibility of additional responses in milk production.

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Maize silage as a supplement for pasture-fed dairy cows in early and late lactation

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9950019 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. 19 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

CR Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Marginal Return ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Wide Range ◽

Yield Responses

Eight experiments were conducted over 2 years with 92 lactating dairy cows individually fed various combinations of irrigated perennial pasture and maize silage in an indoor feeding facility. Responses to different amounts of maize silage and pasture in early and late lactation were measured. Daily pasture intake ranged from 6.2 to 12.4 kg dry matter (DM)/cow, while maize silage intake ranged from 0 to 12.4 kg DM/cow. The marginal return to feeding maize silage at up to 5 kg DM/cow.day to cows in early lactation eating about 7 kg DM/day of pasture as their basal ration was 0.89 kg extra milk for each kg DM maize silage eaten. In late lactation, this was reduced to 0.63 kg milk/kg DM. Milk yield responses to maize silage at both stages of lactation were lower at higher levels of pasture feeding. Although milk fat content was maintained over a wide range of maize silage, feeding large quantities of maize silage in early lactation was detrimental to milk production. The likely explanation for poor animal performance at the high levels of maize silage was dietary protein insufficiency.

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The productivity of lactating dairy cows fed irrigated Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum)

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9931591 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 44 (7) ◽

pp. 1591 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

CR Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Persian Clover ◽

Marginal Returns ◽

Trifolium Resupinatum

A number of experiments were undertaken to establish the productivity of lactating dairy cows when offered green, vegetative Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) herbage and to study its utilization by these cows. The research included indoor feeding and grazing experiments and intensive metabolism studies. Levels of daily intake varied from 1.3 to 4.5 kg DM/100 kg liveweight and in early-to-mid lactation, milk yields as high as 30 kg/day were sustained. In early-to-mid lactation, marginal returns to additional feeding were 1.24 kg milk, 0.046 kg fat and 0.034 kg protein for each additional kg DM of Persian clover eaten by cows weighing 500 kg. In late lactation, marginal returns were 1.10, 0.050 and 0.035 kg/kg DM for milk, fat and protein, respectively. In a grazing experiment, utilization of herbage on offer was very high, ranging from 58-88% as grazing intensity increased. Consideration of the products of digestion suggested that fermentation of Persian clover herbage in the rumen resulted in a balance of metabolites that is unlikely to be detrimental to animal production. However, there were two aspects of rumen fermentation that could influence the potential utilization of the herbage. First, for much of the year, levels of ammonia in rumen fluid (up to 500 mg/L) were much higher than microbial requirements. Second, rumen fluid pH often dropped to about 5.5, a level which may inhibit cellulolysis. The implications of manipulating these aspects of rumen fermentation are discussed. It was concluded that, while few problems exist with the use of vegetative Persian clover for lactating dairy cows, this herbage may be used more efficiently if fed in conjunction with supplements that provide a better balance of nutrients for fermentation in the reticulorumen.

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Effect of supplemental rumen-protected lysine, methionine or both added to diet of lactating dairy cows on milk fatty acids profile

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201058010087 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 87-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ludmila Křížová ◽

Jiří Třináctý ◽

Jarmila Svobodová ◽

Michal Richter ◽

Vladimír Černý ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Latin Square ◽

Total Content ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Milk Fatty Acids ◽

Fatty Acids Profile ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental lysine (Lys), methionine (Met) or both added to diet of dairy cows in the form of rumen-protected (RP) tablets on changes in milk fatty acids (FA) profile. The trial was carried out on four lactating Holstein cows in the form of Latin square design and was divided into 4 periods of 14 d (10-d preliminary period and a 4-d experimental period). The four treatments were as follows: C – control without amino acids (AA) supplementation, L – supplement of RP Lys, M – supplement of RP Met and ML – supplement of RP Met and Lys. Cows were fed on a diet based on maize silage, lucerne hay and supplemental mixture. Milk yield in ML (34.18 kg/d) was higher than in L or M (32.46 kg and 32.13 kg, respectively, P < 0.05) and tended to be higher than in C (33.33 kg/d, P > 0.05). Protein yield in ML (1054 g / d) was higher than that found in C, L or M (990, 998 or 968 g / d, respectively, P < 0.05). Milk fat content and yield in C and ML was higher in comparison to L and M (P < 0.05). Content of short-chain FA (C 4:0–C 12:0) was not affected by the treatment except of L that was lower than in C (P < 0.05). Content of medium-chain FA in M was lower compared to C, L or ML (P < 0.05). The content of long-chain FA in M was significantly higher than in other groups (P < 0.05). The total content of SFA in M was lower than in C or ML (P < 0.05) and tended to be lower than in L. Contents of UFA, MUFA and PUFA in M were higher than in C and ML (P < 0.05).

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Substitution and production responses when lactating dairy cows graze a white clover pasture supplemented with maize silage

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9960771 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

pp. 771 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

CR Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

White Clover ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Ammonia Nitrogen ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Clover Pasture ◽

Friesian Cows

Friesian cows (16) in late lactation grazed pure white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Haifa) swards for 32 days in autumn and were supplemented with maize (Zea mays) silage. Four groups of 4 cows were offered either 19 or 39 kg dry matter (DM)/cow.day of white clover with either 0 or 4.4 kg DM/cow.day of maize silage. All cows were individually fed maize silage and grazed the pasture as individual groups according to treatment. When maize silage was fed, total intake increased, this occurring to a greater degree at the low pasture allowance. The level of substitution of silage for pasture was 0.14 and 0.40 kg DM reduction in pasture intake per kg DM of maize silage eaten at the low and high allowances, respectively. At the low pasture allowance, milk yields were 10.1 and 13.7 kg/cow. day when 0 and 4.4 kg DM/cow.day of maize silage were fed, respectively, and were 15.5 and 15.9 kg/cow.day at the high pasture allowance. Liveweight and body condition increased as plane of nutrition increased but there were no effects of feeding on milk fat or protein contents. Feeding maize silage had little effect on any rumen or faecal variable although there was generally less ammonia nitrogen in rumen fluid when cows were supplemented with maize silage.

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Increasing amounts of crushed wheat fed with Persian clover herbage reduced ruminal pH and dietary fibre digestibility in lactating dairy cows

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an09157 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 50 (9) ◽

pp. 837 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

C. M. Leddin ◽

C. R. Stockdale ◽

J. Hill ◽

J. W. Heard ◽

P. T. Doyle

Keyword(s):

Ruminal Fluid ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Degradation Rates ◽

Acid Detergent Fibre ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Persian Clover ◽

Linear Manner ◽

Acetate Butyrate

Sixteen cows in early lactation were individually fed diets consisting of fresh Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum)-dominant pasture, offered to all cows at 3.7 kg DM/100 kg liveweight (LW); either alone or supplemented with amounts of crushed wheat ranging from ~0.3 to 0.9 kg DM/100 kg LW (four treatments with four cows per treatment). Cows fed Persian clover alone consumed 19 kg DM/day and total DM intake increased (P < 0.001) in a linear manner as the amount of wheat consumed increased, with no significant effects on clover intake. As the proportion of wheat in the diet increased, dietary neutral detergent fibre (NDF) concentrations declined from 28 to 24%, and in vivo NDF (P = 0.055) and acid detergent fibre (ADF; P = 0.015) digestibilities also declined. There were no significant effects of proportion of wheat in the diet on apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter or gross energy. The extent to which negative associative effects on NDF digestion was associated with the clover could not be determined as it was not possible to distinguish between the NDF derived from clover or wheat, but the decline in ADF digestibility suggested that most of the response lay with the clover since the wheat only contained relatively small amounts of ADF. Ruminal fluid pH was below 6.0 for more than 18 h/day in all cows. There was no effect of wheat in the diet on average ruminal fluid pH, but lowest values during the day were negatively related (P < 0.05) to the proportion of wheat in the diet. As the proportion of wheat in the diet increased, ruminal fluid ammonia-N concentration (P < 0.001) and the acetate + butyrate to propionate ratio (P < 0.001) decreased. The proportion of wheat in the diet did not affect nylon bag estimates of NDF degradation rates for grain or forage. Although most data indicated that effects of proportion of wheat in the diet on the utilisation of consumed nutrients were small, the marginal milk response to additional wheat averaged only 0.9 kg energy-corrected milk/kg DM wheat.

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Nutritional evaluation of whole plant maize ensiled at three chop lengths and fed to lactating dairy cows

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9940709 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 709 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

CR Stockdale ◽

GW Beavis

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Nutritional Evaluation ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Whole Plant ◽

Silage Quality ◽

Daily Intakes ◽

Daily Milk

Whole crop maize (Zea mays) was chopped at 3 lengths before ensiling; the maize was harvested with a precision chop harvester with screen apertures of either 9 cm2 (fine chopped maize), 36 cm2 (medium chopped maize), or no screen at all (coarse chopped maize). The 3 silages were each fed as a supplement to pasture to lactating dairy cows in 2 experiments. Although some of the variables measured to assess silage quality suggested that the preservation process may have deteriorated as length of chop increased, length of chop of maize generally appeared to have little effect on silage quality or milk production. In experiment 1, cows ate about 7 kg DM of pasture and 8-9 kg DM of maize silage per day. Mean daily milk yields for the cows offered fine, medium and coarse chopped silage were 18.0, 17.7 and 18.2 kg/cow, respectively. In experiment 2, where daily intakes of each maize silage covered the range of 0-10.7 kg DM/cow, regression analysis could not detect any differences in milk responses between chop lengths. We concluded that aspects other than nutritional considerations should determine the length of chop that farmers aim for when making maize silage; these include ease of compaction in the bunker to ensure the production of good quality silage, and fuel consumption during harvesting.

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Persian clover and maize silage. II. Effects of variations in clover and silage consumption on the productivity of dairy cows at various stages of lactation

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar9941767 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 1767 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

CR Stockdale

Keyword(s):

Zea Mays ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Ammonia Concentration ◽

High Energy ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Nitrogen Concentrations ◽

Low Levels ◽

Persian Clover ◽

Positive Correlations

Four experiments, involving 62 animals, were undertaken to establish the effects of variations in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinaturn) and maize (Zea mays) silage consumption on the productivity of dairy cows at various stages of lactation. The research was specifically designed to exclude the effects of the substitution of one feed for another on the responses obtained. Feeding maize silage to cows fed 7-8 kg DM day-1 of Persian clover in early lactation resulted in marginal responses of 1.3-1.4 kg of milk per kg DM of supplement. As level of feeding increased, whether due to additional Persian clover or maize silage, returns to maize silage diminished. In late lactation, 0.9 kg of extra milk was produced from each additional kg DM of maize silage eaten. All of these responses were greater than expected and approached those reported for the use of high energy concentrates. However, there were two exceptions to this general conclusion. Firstly, at very low levels of Persian clover (4.0 kg DM/cow day-1), a protein deficiency prevented responses in milk as more maize silage was offered. Secondly, it was demonstrated that maize silage starch was also important to achieving good responses in milk yield. With only 5% grain in the maize silage in one experiment in mid lactation, the return to extra feeding was only 0.7 kg of milk/kg DM, which was below that obtained in both early and late lactation. The relationships of rumen parameters to differential feeding were variable. Ammonia concentration and acetate proportion both decreased as maize silage intake increased. Of the faecal variables measured, nitrogen concentrations were variable while lignin concentrations were negatively related to maize silage intake, and starch contents showed strong positive correlations.

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The effects of microcrystalline cellulose as a dietary component for lactating dairy cows

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.85089 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Outi Savonen ◽

Piia Kairenius ◽

Päivi Mäntysaari ◽

Tomasz Stefanski ◽

Juhana Pakkasmaa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Microcrystalline Cellulose ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Barley Grain ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Softwood Kraft Pulp ◽

Dietary Component ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) has several applications in food and pharmaceutical industries but the nutritional value for dairy cows and effects on in vivo digestion are not known. A feeding experiment was conducted using 24 dairy cows. The cows were offered MCC originating from unbleached softwood kraft pulp at 0, 10 or 100 g per kg diet dry matter (DM) to replace barley grain in the diet. The total daily DM intake was on average 25.6 kg and not significantly affected by the diet. Positive effects on rumen fermentation could not be demonstrated in a feeding situation where total mixed ration and a concentrate proportion of 0.50 on DM basis was used. Diet organic matter digestibility was not affected by MCC inclusion but fibre digestibility improved and the additional MCC fibre was virtually completely digested. The production potential of MCC was lower than that of barley grain as daily yields of energy-corrected milk, milk fat and protein, and milk protein concentration decreased when MCC replaced barley grain in the diet. Based on these results, MCC is not recommended as a dietary component for high-yielding dairy cows.

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