Effect of grazing management on herbage protein concentration, milk production and nitrogen excretion of dairy cows in mid-lactation

In a previous short term study, Ferris et al. (1997) demonstrated that similar levels of nutrient intake and animal performance could be obtained by either increasing silage feed value and reducing concentrate feed level, or by reducing silage feed value and increasing concentrate feed level. The principles established in this study were incorporated into this trial to examine two systems of milk production over a full lactation, including both the winter and grazing periods.Forty high genetic merit dairy cows (PTA95 fat + protein = 38.2 kg), in their second or subsequent lactation, were used in a continuous design full lactation study. Animals had a mean calving date of 1 November and were allocated to one of two systems of milk production, HF or HC, within 36 hours of calving. During the winter, animals on system HF were offered a silage with high feed value characteristics, supplemented with 5.5 kg of concentrate (crude protein concentration of 280 g/kg DM) through an out-of-parlour feeding system.

Download Full-text

Sward and milk production response to early turnout of dairy cows to pasture in Finland

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.5740 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 21-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P. VIRKAJÄRVI ◽

A. SAIRANEN ◽

J.I. NOUSIAINEN

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Mass Production ◽

Grazing Management ◽

Northern Europe ◽

Grazing Season ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Production Response

The timing of turnout is an important factor affecting the grazing management of dairy cows. However,its consequences are not well known in the short grazing season of northern Europe. Thus, the effect of the turnout date of dairy cows to pasture on sward regrowth, herbage mass production and milk production was studied in two experiments,1)a grazing trial with 16 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows and 2)a plot trial where the treatments simulated the grazing trial.The treatments were early turnout (1 June)and normal turnout (6 June).Early turnout decreased the annual herbage mass (HM) production in the plot trial (P =0.005),but due to a higher average organic matter (OM)digestibility (P 0.05). Although early turnout had no effect on milk yields it meant easier management of pastures.;

Download Full-text

The effects of feeding different starch sources and concentrations on milk production of high yielding Holstein cows

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200005743 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 2001 ◽

pp. 192-192

Author(s):

R.E. Lawson ◽

A.R. Moss ◽

C. Rymer ◽

J.S. Blake

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Starch Concentration ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Ground Wheat

Mansbridge (1995) reported that replacing ground wheat with a mix of ground wheat and maize grain increased milk protein concentration, which led the authors to speculate that increased inclusion of maize grain increased rumen by-pass starch. Indeed, de Visseret al(1990) reported that feeding less rapidly degradable starches has led to increased milk protein concentration.The objective of this study was to examine the effects of starch concentration and source on feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows.

Download Full-text

Interaction between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation modifies milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning of dairy cows

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an18183 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (10) ◽

pp. 1837 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ignacio E. Beltrán ◽

Pablo Gregorini ◽

Alvaro Morales ◽

Oscar A. Balocchi ◽

Rubén G. Pulido

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Ground Level ◽

Nitrogen Partitioning ◽

Nitrogen Excretion ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Nitrogen Intake ◽

Condition Score ◽

Grazing Behaviour

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the interaction effects between herbage mass and time of herbage allocation on milk production, grazing behaviour and nitrogen partitioning in lactating dairy cows. Forty-four Holstein Friesian cows were grouped according to milk production (24.7 ± 2.8 kg), bodyweight (580.6 ± 51.7 kg), days in milk (74 ± 17.1) and body condition score (3.1 ± 0.3), and then assigned randomly to one of four treatments: (1) L-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (2) L-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 2000 kg DM/ha, (3) M-AM: access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha, and (4) M-PM: access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with herbage mass of 3000 kg DM/ha. All cows received a daily low herbage allowance of 21 kg DM measured above ground level, 3.0 kg DM of grass silage and 3.5 kg DM of concentrate. Herbage intake was similar between treatments, averaging 8.3 kg DM/day (P > 0.05). Total grazing time was lower for M-PM compared with other treatments (P < 0.01). Milk production was greater for M-AM and M-PM compared with L-PM (P < 0.05). Urea in milk and plasma were greater for L-AM than L-PM and M-PM (P < 0.01). Similarly, rumen ammonia was greater for L-AM compared with M-PM and M-AM (P < 0.05). Nitrogen intake was 13.6% greater for L-AM than L-PM, and 17.5% greater for L-AM than M-PM (P < 0.05). Nitrogen use efficiency was 22.1% greater for M-PM than L-AM, and 11.8% greater for M-PM than L-PM (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the best management combination was observed when a medium herbage mass was delivered in the afternoon, maintaining a low nitrogen intake, low urinary nitrogen excretion and high milk production.

Download Full-text

GrazeIn: a model of herbage intake and milk production for grazing dairy cows. 2. Prediction of intake under rotational and continuously stocked grazing management

Grass and Forage Science ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2494.2010.00770.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 45-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

R. Delagarde ◽

P. Faverdin ◽

C. Baratte ◽

J.L. Peyraud

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Grazing Management ◽

Herbage Intake ◽

Grazing Dairy Cows

Download Full-text

The effect of quality and level of protein on the performance of dairy cattle of differing genetic merits

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0308229600030531 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 1996 ◽

pp. 83-83

Author(s):

I.M. Carrick ◽

D.C. Patterson ◽

F.J. Gordon ◽

C.S. Mayne

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Present Experiment ◽

Protein Concentration ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Biological Efficiency ◽

Production Potential ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Animal Wastes

Providing adequate protein nutrition for high yielding dairy cows is essential if their milk production potential is to be achieved. However, oversupply of protein has detrimental effects on biological efficiency as well as having a negative impact on the environment due to greater excretion of nitrogen in animal wastes. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the response to protein concentration and degradability in the diet by dairy cows of differing genetic merit (GM).

Download Full-text