Dry matter intake, nutrient selection and milk production of dairy cows grazing rainfed perennial pastures at different herbage allowances in spring

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 923 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Moate ◽  
D. E. Dalley ◽  
J. R. Roche ◽  
C. Grainger
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Selection Differentials

Summary. The effect of herbage allowance (20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 kg DM/cow. day) on the consumption of nutrients from herbage and milk production by cows in early lactation, was examined. The experiment was conducted on rainfed perennial ryegrass pastures in September and October 1997 in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. The herbage on offer comprised 64% perennial ryegrass, 21% other grasses, 1% white clover, 5% weeds and 9% dead material on a dry matter (DM) basis. The average pregrazing herbage height was 13 cm, at an estimated pregrazing herbage mass of 3.6 t DM/ha. The herbage on offer was of high quality containing 11.6 MJ metabolisable energy/kg DM, 202 g crude protein/kg DM and 525 g neutral detergent fibre/kg DM. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur and chloride were 4.4, 2.2, 4.4, 31.2, 3.5, 2.7 and 11.4 g/kg DM, respectively. As daily herbage allowance per cow increased, dry matter intake increased curvilinearly (P<0.01) from 11.2 to 18.7 kg DM/cow. day. This was associated with a decrease in utilisation of herbage from 54 to 26% and an increase in milk production from 25.9 to 29.1 kg/cow. day. The cows on all treatments grazed for less than 8.7 h/day. The increase in intake was achieved by an increase in the rate of herbage intake from 1.5 to 2.2 kg DM/h for herbage allowances of 20 and 70 kg/cow.day, respectively. Irrespective of herbage allowance, cows selected a diet that was approximately 10% higher in in vitro dry matter digestibility and 30% higher in crude protein than that in the herbage on offer. The neutral detergent fibre content of the herbage selected was lower (P<0.05) than that on offer. The herbage consumed contained more (P<0.05) magnesium, potassium and sulfur, the same amount of calcium and phosphorus and less (P<0.05) sodium and chloride than the herbage on offer. For rainfed perennial pastures in spring, herbage allowance is an important factor in determining voluntary feed intake and production of dairy cows. To achieve 30 L from herbage, without supplementation, high herbage allowances are required. The increase in herbage intake, with increasing herbage allowance, resulted from an increase in rate of dry matter intake and not an increase in grazing time. No relationship was evident between herbage allowance and the selection differentials for in vitro dry matter digestibility, crude protein and neutral detergent fibre. Selection differentials for rainfed perennial pastures in spring are similar to those reported for irrigated perennial pastures in northern Victoria in spring and autumn. When determining nutrient requirements it is important to consider the interaction between herbage intake and nutrient concentration in the herbage.

Degradabilities of dry matter and crude protein from perennial herbage and supplements used in dairy production systems in Victoria

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 645 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Wales ◽  
P. T. Doyle ◽  
D. W. Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Cottonseed Meal ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Outflow Rate

Summary The nylon bag technique was used to estimate the degradability of the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) of herbage samples and supplementary feeds from recent grazing experiments with dairy cows conducted in Victoria. The cumulative disappearance data for CP were used to calculate the effective rumen degradability of CP (ERDP, g/kg DM) for these feeds at rumen outflow rates of 0.02, 0.05 or 0.08/h. Crude protein was more extensively degraded than DM in all herbage samples collected before grazing, or in those samples taken to represent the herbage consumed by grazing cows. The ERDP of spring pastures (excluding the dead material and postgrazed samples) was generally in the range 103–197 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.02/h and in the range 74–142 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.08/h. For summer pastures, the ERDP was generally in the range 80–128 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.02/h and in the range 58–108 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.08/h. For autumn pastures, ERDP ranged from 108 to 170 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.02/h and from 84 to 140 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.08/h. There were only 2 herbage samples collected during the winter, which had ERDP of 237 and 249 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.02/h and 213 and 222 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.08/h. Values for ERDP tended to be higher for these winter samples compared with spring samples. In contrast, autumn samples tended to have lower ERDP than spring samples. It is shown that metabolisable protein is unlikely to limit milk production of cows consuming 17 kg herbage DM/cow. day and producing up to 30 L milk/day, when milk production is determined from metabolisable energy supply. The excesses in metabolisable protein ranged from 0.48 to 1.21 kg/cow. day from a subset of spring herbage samples cut to represent that selected by cows and from 0.14 to 0.23 kg/cow. day from summer herbage samples. The degradability characteristics of the herbage samples were similar to some estimates for temperate herbages in the United Kingdom and from limited data from Australia and should form a useful basis on which to assess whether additional metabolisable protein is required as supplements for dairy cows grazing pastures in Victoria. There was a positive (P<0.01) relationship between CP content and ERDP (R2 = 0.93), across herbage samples indicating it could be possible to estimate ERDP for herbage samples that have been assessed for CP content. There was also a significant (P<0.01) positive relationship between the effective degradability of DM of herbage and ERDP (R2 = 0.77). The relationships between in vitro dry matter digestibility or neutral detergent fibre and ERDP were also significant (P<0.01), but accounted for even less of the variability. The ERDP in cereal grain-based supplements ranged from 87 to 111 g/kg DM, at a outflow rate from the rumen of 0.02/h, compared with 70–92 g/kg DM, at an outflow rate of 0.08/h. The compounded supplements containing varying levels of cereal grain, lupins and cottonseed meal, had effective degradabilities of CP that generally declined as the content of lupins decreased and the content of cottonseed meal increased. However, ERDP increased to 152 g/kg DM because of the increasing CP content with increasing cottonseed meal. These results are compared with previously published estimates of effective degradability of CP for supplementary feeds.

Dry matter intake and nutrient selection by lactating cows grazing irrigated pastures at different pasture allowances in summer and autumn

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 451 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Wales ◽  
P. T. Doyle ◽  
D. W. Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fibre Content ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Selection For

Summary. Three experiments investigating the effects of herbage allowance on the consumption of nutrients by lactating cows were conducted on irrigated perennial pastures in northern Victoria during summer and autumn. Experiment 1 was conducted in mid lactation (autumn–early winter) with perennial ryegrass [54% of dry matter (DM)]–white clover (22% of DM) pasture offered at allowances of 15, 20, 30 and 40 kg DM/cow.day. Herbage intake increased (P<0.001) from 8.0 to 14.6 kg DM/cow.day as allowance increased and this was associated with a decrease (P<0.001) in utilisation from 54 to 37%. The cows consistently selected a diet 11% higher in in vitro dry matter digestibility than that in the pasture on offer, but selection for crude protein increased (P<0.001) from 21 to 41% above that in herbage on offer as herbage allowance increased. Neutral detergent fibre content of the diet selected was lower (P<0.001) than that in herbage on offer. Along with these changes, milk production increased (P<0.001) from 9.0 to 15.5 kg/day as herbage allowance increased at a marginal response of 0.99 kg milk/kg extra DM consumed. Experiments 2 and 3 were conducted in mid lactation (summer) on pasture containing 28% paspalum, 26% weeds, 17% perennial ryegrass or 36% paspalum, 19% weeds and 24% ryegrass respectively. Pasture allowances were between 20 and 70 kg DM/cow.day. Herbage intake increased (P<0.001) from about 8 to 17 kg DM/cow.day as allowance increased in both experiments and was accompanied by a decrease (P<0.001) in utilisation from about 40 to less than 25%. In experiment 2, the cows consistently selected a diet with a similar in vitro dry matter digestibility to that of the herbage pregrazing, regardless of allowance, but selection for crude protein increased (P<0.05) from 25 to 45% above that in herbage on offer, as allowance increased. In experiment 3, the diet selected was 13% greater (P<0.001) in in vitro dry matter digestibility and 42% greater (P<0.001) in crude protein than the herbage on offer. Neutral detergent fibre content of the diet selected was lower (P<0.001) than that in herbage on offer in experiment 3, while the difference was small in experiment 2. Along with these changes, milk production increased (P<0.001) (in experiment 2, 12.3–15.0 kg/cow.day; experiment 3, 10.0–15.8 kg/cow.day) as herbage allowance increased, but the marginal responses were lower (0.28 kg milk/kg extra DM consumed in experiment 2, 0.64 kg milk/kg extra DM consumed in experiment 3) than observed in experiment 1 reflecting the differences in pasture quality.

Using highly nutritious pastures to mitigate enteric methane emissions from cattle grazing systems in South America

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (12) ◽  
pp. 2329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Dini ◽  
J. I. Gere ◽  
C. Cajarville ◽  
Verónica S. Ciganda
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Ether Extract ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Enteric Methane

Enteric methane (CH4) emissions are directly related to the quantity and type of feed intake. Existing mitigation strategies, for example, the addition of legumes to grass-based diets and increased use of grains, have been thoroughly researched and applied in different production systems. In this paper, we propose a need to expand the capacity to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions in cattle under grazing conditions. The objective of this paper was to contribute to evaluate a mitigation strategy under grazing conditions of using contrasting levels of pasture quality. The study was performed with 20 heifers twice during the year: winter and spring. Each season, the study employed a crossover design with two treatments and two 5-day measurement periods. The treatments were two pastures with different nutritional values, including a pasture with a low quality (70% of neutral detergent fibre, 1% of ether extract, 8% of non-fibre carbohydrates), 9% of crude protein, 35% of dry matter digestibility and a pasture with a high quality (42% neutral detergent fibre, 1.3% ether extract, 24% non-fibre carbohydrates, 21% crude protein and 63% dry matter digestibility). Enteric CH4 emissions were measured with sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique. The dry matter intake (kg/day) was measured indirectly using titanium dioxide as an external marker. CH4 emissions from animals grazing the high-quality pasture were 14% lower expressed as % of gross energy intake, and 11% lower expressed by unit of dry matter intake (g CH4/kg). These results quantitative showed the alternative to mitigate CH4 emissions from grazing bovines exclusively through the improvement of the forage quality offered.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Starch and Crude Protein Levels on Milk Production and Composition of Dairy Cows Fed High Concentrate Diet

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Güçlü Sucak ◽  
Uğur Serbester ◽  
Murat Görgülü
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dietary Level ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Dietary Starch

Effects of two dietary levels of starch and crude protein on performance of dairy cow fed low roughage level (70:30 concentrate to roughage) were investigated. Twenty eight Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were two dietary level of starch (14% and 22%) and crude protein (15% and 18%). Wheat straw was used as sole roughage source. The study was continued 6 weeks. Dry matter intake was not affected (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments in the study. Milk and protein yield (kg/d) were higher (P

EFFECTS OF EARLY SUMMER AND FALL CUTTING MANAGEMENT ON DRY MATTER YIELDS, DIGESTIBILITY, CRUDE PROTEIN, AND SURVIVAL OF SARANAC AND NARRAGANSETT ALFALFAS

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 941-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. MacLEOD ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
F. W. CALDER
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Good Survival ◽  
Considerable Decrease ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Management

The effects of early summer and fall cutting managements on two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars were studied over a 3-year period. Removal of the first crop of Saranac and Narrangansett alfalfas at prebud stage, followed by two cuts at the early bloom stage before early September, and a late fall harvest on October 25, produced seasonal dry matter (DM) yields of 7.5–8.6 metric T/ha in the 1st year. Stand deterioration, however, was severe and by the 3rd year, practically all alfalfa had disappeared. Average percent crude protein (CP) in cut 1 was 17.7–21.9 and percent in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVD) 67.4–73.8. Removal of the first cut at bud stage with two subsequent harvests at the early bloom stage also allowed a total of three harvests before early September and resulted in seasonal DM yields of 8.6–8.8 in the 1st year. Although the survival of alfalfa was increased over the managements where cut 1 was at prebud stage, a considerable decrease of alfalfa was still observed in the 3rd year. Under this management, average CP in cut 1 was 15.8–16.3 and IVD 64.1–68.4. Harvesting the first crop at early to midbloom stage and the second crop at early bloom in early to mid-August, followed by third harvest in late October, resulted in good survival with seasonal DM yields of 6.1–10.6. Lower CP and IVD were recorded in cut 1 than in the more intensive managements. Under all managements, average CP in cuts 2 and 3 was 14.9–17.3 and 13.3–19.4, respectively. IVD was 54.5–60.7 in cut 2 and 56.0–64.4 in cut 3.

scholarly journals The influence of the method of preservation of forages on the digestion in dairy cows. 1. Composition of the forages and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen.

1975 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-9
Author(s):  
S. Tamminga ◽  
C.J. van der Koelen
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Formic Acid ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mixed Diet ◽  
Apparent Digestibility

1. Grass from the same sward was ensiled without additive, with 14.6 g formic acid/100 g crude protein or 10.8 g formic acid and 10.6 g formaldehyde/100 g crude protein. Similar grass was dried and pelleted. Drying or ensiling with the mixture reduced solubility of N in the preserved grass but formic acid increased it, and ensiling without additive increased it even more. Apparent digestibility of N in the rumen of cows tended to decrease with decrease in solubility. Digestibility in vitro of the mixed diet given to the cows, calculated from digestibility of the separate components, agreed well with the values in vivo for diets with silages, but was high for that with dried grass. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

scholarly journals Effect of seedbed methods and time of harvest on the yield and nutritive value of some forage crops grown on Vertisol at Debre Zeit, Ethiopia

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-497
Author(s):  
Abate Tedla ◽  
Helena Airaksinen ◽  
M. A. Mohamed-Saleem
Keyword(s):  
Avena Sativa ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Time Of Harvest

The influence of the improved drainage broadbed and furrow (BBF), as opposed to the traditional flat seedbed over the growing season on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Avena sativa, Vigna unguiculata, Lablab purpureus, Vida dasycarpa, Trifolium steudneri and Sesbania sesban were studied on Vertisol. Up to 7 t/ha dry matter yield was recorded for Avena sativa and Lablab purpureus when planted on Vertisols with improved drainage. Dry matter yield of forage crops also increased with advance in stage of maturity or subsequent harvests. On both improved and traditional flat seedbed methods, the chemical analysis of forage crops showed similar declines in crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) levels as the maturity of forage crops progressed.

Estimation of intake and digestibility of forage-based diets in group-fed dairy cows using alkanes as markers

1999 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. UNAL ◽  
P. C. GARNSWORTHY
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Filter Papers ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Basal Ration ◽  
Food Consumed

Dry matter intake is one of the major factors limiting milk production in dairy cows, although the quantity of food consumed by an individual cow when housed and fed as part of a group is rarely known. Such information would permit more precise ration formulation, concentrate allocation and selection of cows according to efficiency of milk production. Alkanes have been used with sheep and cattle to estimate feed intake under grazing conditions and could provide a technique for measuring intake in housed dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to examine alkanes C32 and C36, in combination with alkane C33, as indigestible markers for estimating intake of housed dairy cows fed on different diets under experimental and commercial conditions. Three experiments were conducted with hay-based diets (Expt 1), silage only diets (Expt 2) and a diet consisting of a silage-based basal ration plus concentrates (Expt 3). Animals were dosed once daily with C32 and C36, either on filter papers (Expts 1 and 2) or as part of a specially prepared concentrate (Expt 3). Faecal recoveries of alkanes ranged from 0·88 to 0·99. Over the range of intakes found in the three experiments (6–24 kg DM/d), the r2 values for estimated versus actual dry matter intakes ranged from 0·81 to 0·99. It is concluded that alkanes could provide a useful technique for estimating intake in dairy cows housed and fed in groups.

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