scholarly journals The Effect of a Restricted Feed Ration on Dairy Cow Response to Containment From Feed Using a Virtual Fence

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia I. Colusso ◽  
Cameron E. F. Clark ◽  
Alexandra C. Green ◽  
Sabrina Lomax

Dairy cattle are offered varying amounts of feed which they deplete through time. A reduction in the amount of feed allocated to cows may impact on their containment using a virtual fence (VF). Pre-commercial neckbands (eShepherd®, Agersens, Melbourne, VIC) deliver an audio tone (AT) to the individual cow when it reaches the VF, and this is followed by an electrical pulse (EP) if they continue forward movement. No further stimuli are delivered if the cow stops or turns around. Thirty-four non-lactating dairy cows were used across three blocks in a controlled field experiment evaluating the impact of feed restriction on the exclusion of cows from a lucerne cube feed source using a VF. Within each block cows were pre-trained to the VF system for 6-days on pasture before being fed either a (1) Restricted (R, 12 ± 0.3 kg) or (2) Above maintenance (+M, 20 kg) lucerne cube ration each day. The treatment groups were then tested for four 30 min tests (T1–T4) in test paddocks of 100 × 20 m. For testing, a VF was set at 30 m from the paddock entry and 2 kg per cow of lucerne cube feed was placed at 90 m. Only R cows crossed the VF to access the feed, thereby receiving more AT and EP stimuli in T1 and T2 as compared to +M cows (P ≤ 0.03). However, there was no difference between treatments in T3 and T4 as cows learned the test routine and to remain within the VF in the paddock context. These results suggest that feed restriction may impact the exclusion of dairy cows from feed using a VF, but this effect is limited, and cows can learn to remain within a VF even when fed a restricted ration.

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
A.R. Henderson ◽  
P.C. Garnsworthy ◽  
J.R. Newbold ◽  
P.J. Buttery

Sinclair et al. (1993) found that a diet formulated to be synchronous with regard to hourly release of nitrogen and energy increased microbial protein synthesis by 14% in sheep. Dairy cows in early lactation experience a shortfall of energy and protein, with available protein determining the overall efficiency of metabolism (MacRae and Lobley, 1986) and subsequent milk production. It is therefore necessary to maximise microbial protein yield during this period. In this study diets were designed for lactating dairy cows to contain the same feed ingredients, but to release nitrogen and energy in the rumen at different times. Rumen fermentation parameters, nutrient flows to the small intestine and production performance were investigated.


1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
J. K. Margerison ◽  
C. J. C. Phillips ◽  
T. R. Preston

Artificial rearing necessitates stressful cow-calf separation (Lefcourt and Elsasser, 1995; Hopster et al, 1995) and precipitates cross-suckling (Lidfors, 1993). Thus, suckling systems may improve the welfare of cows and calves, by alleviating 'stressful' cows-calf separation and satiating suckling motivation. The aim of this experiment was to compare behaviour in cows and calves in restricted suckling and non-suckling systems.Thirty six multiparous dairy cows and calves were divided at 4 days postpartum into three groups. The treatment groups were; non-suckled (NS) cows with calves artificially reared (AR), cows suckled by their own calf (RSM) and cows suckled by a foster calf (RSF). Suckling took place for 15 minutes following mechanical milking only.


Author(s):  
D. Tristant ◽  
C. A. Moran

SummaryThe following trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of feeding Yea-Sacc® (YS; Alltech Inc, USA), a zootechnical feed additive based on a live probiotic strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to lactating dairy cows over a 12 week period. Sixty-four primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows, grouped to give similar range of parity, physiological and milk production stages, were selected for the study. Cows were equally allocated to either a control feed group or a diet supplemented with YS (32 cows per treatment). The test diet was formulated to include YS (Yea-Sacc® Farm Pak) incorporated in the total mixed ration (TMR), supplying a target dose of 5 × 107 CFU/kg feed dry matter (DM). This target dose delivered 1 × 109 CFU/cow/day, for a cow consuming 20 kg feed (DM basis) daily. Each cow was considered a replicate unit. Cows were fed a nutritionally adequate total TMR plus hay and a supplementary protein/energy concentrate (calculated according to milk yield) for 12 weeks, supplied once a day after the morning milking. Weigh backs of feed were recorded daily, with refusals being maintained at 3% of the total intake. During the 12 week study period, YS had significant beneficial effects on milk production (+0.8 kg/day; P = 0.003), energy corrected milk production (+1.4 kg/day; P < 0.0001), synthesis of milk protein (+36 g/day; P = 0.001), milk protein content (+0.3 g/kg; P = 0.009), and milk urea content (−0.09 mg/l; P = 0.004). The synthesis of milk fat was similar between treatments but milk fat content was lower for the YS group compared to the control group (−1.1 g/kg; P = 0.0002). Lactose content was always higher (+0.8 g/kg; P < 0.0001) for the YS group, indicating enhanced energy utilisation. In general, the effect of YS was higher during the first study period (one to seven weeks), when cows were in early lactation and the production potential was higher. YS cows produced significantly more milk during the study, and an additional 220 kg milk per cow was sold from this group from the output measured from the beginning of the study to two weeks post-trial. However, the statistical analysis including the post-study period did not show a significant effect. The 305-day simulated milk production was higher for the YS group (+400 kg/cow) but again the difference was not significant. In conclusion, YS at a target dose of 5 × 107 CFU/kg DM improved milk production and milk quality in healthy dairy cows. In addition, when the data were included in a whole-farm model, feeding YS reduced methane emissions by 4%, reduced the number of animals required for the desired milk production by 4% and increased overall farm margins by 1.4%.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
J.D. Sutton ◽  
D.J. Humphries ◽  
R H Phipps ◽  
M. Witt

The complete replacement of soyabean meal by maize distillers grains (MDG) in dairy cow diets had no significant effects on milk production, rumen digestion or the supply of non-ammonia N to the duodenum (Sutton et al., 2000; Phipps et al., 2001). The present experiment was designed to extend this work by examining the response when barley (BDG) or wheat (WDG) distillers grains replaced soyabean meal.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 228
Author(s):  
T. L. C. Pinto ◽  
J. N. S. Sales ◽  
R. R. Carvalho ◽  
T. M. França ◽  
J. C. Souza

The use of lactating dairy cows as ovum pick-up (OPU)/IVF-derived embryo recipients in large-scale embryo transfer programs may be limited by the effects of low progesterone concentrations on the uterine environment and subsequent embryo development. It was hypothesized that the injection of a GnRH analogue on the day of embryo transfer would induce ovulation and formation of an accessory corpus luteum, increasing progesterone concentrations and, as a result, conception rates. An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of two different GnRH analogues injected IM on the day of embryo transfer on conception rates of lactating Holstein recipients. Oestrus was not synchronized and was detected continuously by multiple observers during the day and in the evening until midnight. Recipient days in milk varied from 45 to 150, daily milk production ranged from 20 to 45 kg, body condition scores and age ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 and 2.5 to 5.5 years, respectively. Herd pregnancy rates after the first artificial insemination ranged from 15% to 70%, considering the period the experiment was conducted. Embryos were produced by standard in vitro techniques following OPU on Holstein donors. Lactating Holstein recipients (n = 224) were allocated randomly to one of three treatment groups 7 days after detected oestrus: Control (n = 77) = vehicle; Buserelin (Sincroforte®, Ouro Fino, Sao Paulo, Brazil; n = 75) = 10 µg; and Deslorelin (Sincrorrelin®, Ouro Fino; n = 72) = 750 µg. Embryos were transferred nonsurgically 6 to 8 days after observed oestrus. Pregnancy was detected by ultrasonography between 62 and 72 days after embryo transfer. Percent pregnant data were analyzed as a binomial distribution under the GENMOD procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Conception rates were similar (P = 0.13) between Control (28%, 22/77), Buserelin (24%, 18/75), and Deslorelin (38%, 28/72) treatment groups. These data demonstrate that conception rates from in vitro produced embryos transferred to lactating dairy cows are not improved by treatment with a GnRH analogue on the day of transfer. Although not critically tested, results indicate that adequate conception rates may be obtained in commercial dairy operations from OPU/IVF-derived embryos, adding an important management tool for reproduction and animal breeding enhancement.


2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (suppl_5) ◽  
pp. 529-529
Author(s):  
E. A. Horst ◽  
S. K. Kvidera ◽  
M. Abuajamieh ◽  
E. J. Mayorga ◽  
M. A. Al-Qaisi ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1699
Author(s):  
T. Sugino ◽  
A. Tateno ◽  
G. Ueno ◽  
K. Kawashima ◽  
T. Okimura ◽  
...  

To elucidate the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) on milk production and plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations in early lactating dairy cows, 10 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups after parturition. One group was fed a diet supplemented with calcium salts of MCFA (MCFA-Ca) for 8 weeks after parturition, while the other group was fed the same diet without the supplement (control). MCFA-Ca, containing 60% caprylic acid and 40% capric acid, was added to a total mixed ration (TMR) at 1.5% of the dietary dry matter (DM). Cows were offered the TMR ad libitum. DM intake, daily gain in bodyweight, milk yield, milk fat content and milk protein content did not differ between the two treatment groups. The MCFA-Ca diet decreased plasma glucose and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.05), while plasma concentrations of total and free cholesterols tended to increase (P < 0.10). Plasma ghrelin was maintained at a higher concentration (P < 0.05) in cows fed the MCFA-Ca diet than in the control group. Relative to the control diet, the MCFA-Ca diet decreased plasma insulin concentration (P < 0.05) and numerically increased plasma glucagon concentration, resulting in a lower insulin : glucagon ratio (P < 0.05). In conclusion, plasma metabolite and hormone concentrations were affected by the MCFA-Ca diet, suggesting that MCFA-Ca supplementation may change endocrine functions and nutrient metabolism in early lactating cows, ultimately resulting in an enhanced catabolic state.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 838 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. French ◽  
K. O. Driscoll ◽  
B. Horan ◽  
L. Shalloo

Pasture grazed in situ is one of the most competitive and sustainable feeding systems for dairy cows globally because of a low environmental footprint, the potential for excellent animal welfare and the relatively low cost in the production and utilisation of the feed. However, because of seasonal variation in grass production and inclement weather conditions, dairy cattle may have to be accommodated and/or fed off pasture. There are numerous infrastructural options for achieving this and the focus of the present paper was to review the research and discuss the merits of these alternate animal accommodation systems, focussing on the impact that they have on the environment, animal welfare and farm profitability relative to pasture-only systems. Research data showed that dairy cow welfare can be protected in a range of well managed alternative winter accommodation. In a temperate climate, such as that which pertains in Ireland, adequately fed adult cattle will not use extra feed energy to maintain body temperature when accommodated outdoors and exposed to the effects of wind, rain and low temperatures, as the heat produced from the digestion of feed is in excess of the requirement to maintain body temperature. The main welfare challenge of a wintering system in such conditions is to provide suitable lying facilities for cows to express normal lying behaviour and provide adequate feed. The primary economic focus of pasture-based systems should be to maximise the length of the grass-grazing season and, consequently, to minimise the period off paddock. Provided that body condition targets can be met, there will be minimal effect of wintering system on dairy cow productivity and the only economic differences will be in costs. The cost analysis should combine the capital costs of construction financed over its useful life and the annual operating costs, including labour.


ZOOTEC ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Diwi N.Y. Polii ◽  
M. R. Waani ◽  
A. F. Pendong

THE DIGESTIBILITY OF CRUDE PROTEIN AND CRUDE FAT ON FRIESIAN HOLSTEIN (FH) DAIRY COW FED COMPLETE FEED BASED ON CORN FORAGE. This study aims to determine the intake and digestibility of the crude protein and crude fat of complete feed based on corn forage. 14 FH dairy cows with 300-400 kg of weight were used in this study. This study was arranged in two treatment groups according to t-test (assuming unequal varience). The treatments consisted of Ra = 30% concentrate + 70% corn forage and Rb = 30% concentrate + 35% corn forage + 35% king grass. The variables measured were crude protein and crude fat intakes, and crude protein and crude fat digestibilities. t-test analysis results showed, the crude protein intake of Ra (934.23 grams/head/day) was not significantly different (P>0.05) from Rb (924.20 grams/head/day), as well as the crude fat intake of Ra (332.93 grams/head/day) was also not significantly different (P>0.05) form Rb (350.66 grams/head/day). The digestibility of crude protein in Rb treatment (85.34%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than Ra (82.18%), while the digestibility of crude fat in Rb treatment (88.90%) was highly significant different (P<0.01) from Ra (84.31%). It is concluded that complete feed consisting of concentrate, corn forage and king grass has better crude protein and crude fat digestibilities than the other one that just consisting concentrate and corn forage. Keywords: digestibility, crude protein, crude fat, complete feed, FH cows.


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