Effect of Slow-Release Urea Administration on Production Performance, Health Status, Diet Digestibility, and Environmental Sustainability in Lactating Dairy Cows

The effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with a slow-release urea source (SRU) on production performance, feed efficiency, digestibility, and environmental sustainability of dairy cows were evaluated. A total of 140 lactating Holstein Frisian cows were allocated into two study groups: (i) control (diet entirely based on SBM), and (ii) treatment (diet of 0.22% on dry matter basis (d.m.)) of SRU. Milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion rate (FCR), body condition score (BCS), reproductive parameters, and milk quality were evaluated. The chemical composition of the feeds and feces were analyzed to calculate the in vivo digestibility of the two diets. The carbon footprint (CFP) and predicted methane (CH4) emissions were evaluated. The inclusion of SRU significantly increases milk yield, DMI, and FCR (p < 0.0001), whereas milk quality, BCS, and reproductive indicators were not affected (p > 0.05). In the treatment group, the digestibility of crude protein (CP) (p = 0.012), NDF (p = 0.039), and cellulose (p = 0.033) was significantly higher, while the other nutritional parameters weren’t affected. All the environmental parameters were significantly improved in the treatment group (p < 0.0001). Replacing SBM with SRU can be a strategy to enhance dairy cows’ sustainability due to improved production efficiency, reduced feed CFP, and predicted CH4 production.

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Meta-analysis and sustainability of feeding slow-release urea in dairy production

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246922 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246922

Author(s):

Saheed A. Salami ◽

Colm A. Moran ◽

Helen E. Warren ◽

Jules Taylor-Pickard

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Slow Release ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Production Performance ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Slow Release Urea ◽

The Impact

Slow-release urea (SRU) is a coated non-protein nitrogen (NPN) source for providing rumen degradable protein in ruminant nutrition. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing vegetable protein sources with SRU (Optigen®, Alltech Inc., USA) on the production performance of dairy cows. Additionally, the impact of SRU supplementation on dairy sustainability was examined by quantifying the carbon footprint (CFP) of feed use for milk production and manure nitrogen (N) excretion of dairy cows. Data on diet composition and performance variables were extracted from 17 experiments with 44 dietary comparisons (control vs. SRU). A linear mixed model and linear regression were applied to statistically analyse the effect of SRU on feed intake and production performance. Feeding SRU decreased (P < 0.05) dry matter intake (DMI, -500 g/d) and N intake (NI, -20 g/d). There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) on milk yield, fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat and protein composition. However, SRU supplementation improved (P < 0.05) feed efficiency (+3%) and N use efficiency (NUE, +4%). Regression analyses revealed that increasing SRU inclusion level decreased DMI and NI whereas increasing dietary crude protein (CP) increased both parameters. However, milk yield and feed efficiency increased in response to increasing levels of SRU inclusion and dietary CP. The NUE had a positive relationship with SRU level whereas NUE decreased with increasing dietary CP. The inclusion of SRU in dairy diets reduced the CFP of feed use for milk production (-14.5%; 373.13 vs. 319.15 g CO2 equivalent/kg milk). Moreover, feeding SRU decreased manure N excretion by 2.7% to 3.1% (-12 to -13 g/cow/d) and N excretion intensity by 3.6% to 4.0% (-0.50 to -0.53 g N/kg milk). In conclusion, feeding SRU can contribute to sustainable dairy production through improvement in production efficiency and reduction in environmental impacts.

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Performance of lactating crossbred cows on pasture supplemented with conventional urea or slow release urea

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-6701 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 (5) ◽

pp. 1487-1494

Author(s):

D.C. Abreu ◽

R.P. Lana ◽

A.S. Oliveira ◽

F.A. Barbosa ◽

F.L. Andrade ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Slow Release ◽

Elephant Grass ◽

Productive Performance ◽

Slow Release Urea ◽

Matter Basis

The effect of using conventional urea (CU) or slow release urea (SRU) was evaluated by replacing soybean meal (SBM) in concentrated supplements in levels of 2, 4 or 6% (dry matter basis) on productive performance of crossbred Holstein x Zebu lactating dairy cows (499±61kg body weight and 167 days of lactation) grazing on elephant grass (11.5% CP and 60% NDF) under rotational grazing during the rainy season. A supplement control (no urea) was used containing SBM as a protein source. A total of 21 cows were distributed an incomplete randomized block design with three periods of 21 days each (14 days of adaptation and seven days of collection). The animals entered the paddocks with a pasture height of 110-120cm and left when the grass reached the height of 40-50cm. The concentrated isonitrogenous supplements (24% crude protein, dry matter basis) were provided in the amount of 3.2kg/cow/day (fed basis). There was no effect (P>0.05) on source of crude protein (SBM vs source NPN), source NPN, level of NPN, interaction between source NPN and level of NPN on milk production (10.0kg/day), fat milk production corrected to 3.5% (10.7kg/day), levels of fat (4.01%), protein (3.66%), lactose (4.16%), total solids (12.86%) and non-fat solids (8.60%) in milk. The replacement of CU by SRU does not promote improvement in the productive performance of crossbred dairy cows grazing on elephant grass during the rainy season. Urea (CU or SRU) can be included in up to 6% of the DM concentrated supplements, replacing SBM, without affecting the productive performance of crossbred cows (Holstein x Zebu) in pasture during the rainy season.

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Effects of different amounts of crude glycerol supplementation on dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk quality of lactating dairy cows grazing on a Kikuyu grass pasture

Scientia Agropecuaria ◽

10.17268/sci.agropecu.2021.053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 491-497

Author(s):

Diana Marcela Valencia E ◽

Luis Alfonso Giraldo ◽

Alejandra Marin ◽

Yury Tatiana Granja Salcedo ◽

Telma Teresinha Berchielli

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Crude Glycerol ◽

Milk Quality ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Kikuyu Grass

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Faba bean-rapeseed silage as substitute for Italian ryegrass silage: effects on performance and milk quality of grazing dairy cows

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an17905 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 60 (7) ◽

pp. 913 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. D. Jiménez-Calderón ◽

A. Martínez-Fernández ◽

A. Soldado ◽

A. González ◽

F. Vicente

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Protein Content ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Faba Bean ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Milk Quality ◽

Italian Ryegrass ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Enteric Methane

Three trials were conducted to study the effect of including in the ration of dairy cows the intercrop faba bean-rapeseed or Italian ryegrass silages on feed intake, milk quality and enteric methane emissions. Ten lactating Holstein cows, randomly allocated in two groups, were used in each trial in a crossover design. Dry matter intake and milk yield were recorded daily for each data period. Milk was sampled for analyses three times per period. Enteric methane emission was estimated applying a model that includes bodyweight, dry matter intake, nutritional values of feeds and milk composition. Concentrate and grass intake did not differ between treatments, while total mixed ration intake was higher with Italian ryegrass silage. Milk yield and protein concentration also increased with the Italian ryegrass treatment. The milk urea concentration was higher with the faba bean and rapeseed diet. Fatty acid profiles were affected by feeding strategy. Thereby, t11 18:1, c9 18:1 and total unsaturated fatty acid were higher when the intercrop silage was fed. As consequence, atherogenicity index and thrombogenicity index were lower under that treatment. Estimated enteric methane emissions did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, faba bean-rapeseed intercrop can be an alternative to Italian ryegrass to feed dairy cows. The rations formulated with the intercrop silage have potential to improve the milk fatty acid content, and show healthier profiles for consumers. However, it would be useful to study the protein content of these crops to avoid possible excess urea in milk and to maintain sustainable milk yield and milk protein content.

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Predicting Daily Dry Matter Intake Using Feed Intake of First Two Hours after Feeding in Mid and Late Lactation Dairy Cows with Fed Ration Three Times Per Day

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010104 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 104

Author(s):

Shulin Liang ◽

Chaoqun Wu ◽

Wenchao Peng ◽

Jian-Xin Liu ◽

Hui-Zeng Sun

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Prediction Equation ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Validation Dataset ◽

Nutrient Requirements ◽

Independent Dataset ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Proposed Model

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the dry matter intake of first 2 h after feeding (DMI-2h), body weight (BW), and milk yield to estimate daily DMI in mid and late lactating dairy cows with fed ration three times per day. Our dataset included 2840 individual observations from 76 cows enrolled in two studies, of which 2259 observations served as development dataset (DDS) from 54 cows and 581 observations acted as the validation dataset (VDS) from 22 cows. The descriptive statistics of these variables were 26.0 ± 2.77 kg/day (mean ± standard deviation) of DMI, 14.9 ± 3.68 kg/day of DMI-2h, 35.0 ± 5.48 kg/day of milk yield, and 636 ± 82.6 kg/day of BW in DDS and 23.2 ± 4.72 kg/day of DMI, 12.6 ± 4.08 kg/day of DMI-2h, 30.4 ± 5.85 kg/day of milk yield, and 597 ± 63.7 kg/day of BW in VDS, respectively. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using the REG procedure of SAS to develop the forecasting models for DMI. The proposed prediction equation was: DMI (kg/day) = 8.499 + 0.2725 × DMI-2h (kg/day) + 0.2132 × Milk yield (kg/day) + 0.0095 × BW (kg/day) (R2 = 0.46, mean bias = 0 kg/day, RMSPE = 1.26 kg/day). Moreover, when compared with the prediction equation for DMI in Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle (2001) using the independent dataset (VDS), our proposed model shows higher R2 (0.22 vs. 0.07) and smaller mean bias (−0.10 vs. 1.52 kg/day) and RMSPE (1.77 vs. 2.34 kg/day). Overall, we constructed a feasible forecasting model with better precision and accuracy in predicting daily DMI of dairy cows in mid and late lactation when fed ration three times per day.

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INFLUENCE OF AMMONIATION OF, HIGH-MOISTURE BARLEY ON DIGESTIBILITY, KINETICS OF RUMEN INGESTA TURNOVER, AND MILK PRODUCTION IN DAIRY COWS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas89-023 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 195-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

P. H. ROBINSON ◽

J. J. KENNELLY

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Energetic Efficiency ◽

Vitamin Supplement ◽

High Moisture ◽

Key Words Barley ◽

Kinetics Of ◽

Pool Sizes

Three dairy cows with large rumen cannulae were fed totally mixed diets twice daily. Diets contained 49% whole crop oat silage, 38.5% high-moisture barley (HMB), and 12.5% protein-mineral-vitamin supplement on a dry matter (DM) basis. HMB had been ammoniated at target levels of 0, 0.65, 1.30, and 1.95 g per 100 g HMB DM. Actual levels achieved were 0, 0.63, 1.30, and 1.95 g ammonia per 100 g. Apparent digestibility of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent (ND) fiber, starch, and N were not significantly influenced by level of ammoniation of HMB, although there was a trend for increased N digestion. Total rumen pool sizes of wet ingesta and DM were not influenced by ammoniation levels of HMB, although proportion of ND fiber in rumen OM declined as level of ammoniation of HMB increased. Milk yield and production of milk protein and lactose increased as level of ammoniation of HMB increased. Data are interpreted to suggest that rumen digestion of dietary nonfiber components declined as level of ammoniation of HMB increased, although digestion of ND fiber was not influenced. These results support the hypothesis that ammoniation of HMB shifted the site of digestion of a portion of the dietary nonfiber component from the rumen to the intestine without influencing rumen microbial pool sizes or degradative activity. Greater energetic efficiency of intestinal digestion of dietary nonfiber components, as level of ammoniation of HMB increased, may have contributed to the increased milk yield. Key words: Barley (high-moisture), ammoniation, dairy cows, digestion

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Effects of protected vegetable fats on rumen metabolism and productivity dairy cows

Veterinariya, Zootekhniya i Biotekhnologiya ◽

10.36871/vet.zoo.bio.202109009 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (9) ◽

pp. 68-74

Author(s):

A. V. Golovin ◽

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Metabolic Energy ◽

Black And White ◽

Rumen Metabolism ◽

Economic Experiment ◽

Feed Costs

In a scientific economic experiment conducted in the experimental farm «Klenovo-Chegodaevo» (Moscow) on three groups of Holsteinized black-and-white cows with a milk yield of 7000 kg of milk per lactation, 10 heads in each, it was found that the inclusion in the diet of cows of the experimental groups tested protected fats (hydrogenated and fractionated) in the amount of 300 g per head per day, contributed to the tendency for more intensive metabolic processes in the rumen due to a slight increase in the concentration of volatile fatty acids by 5,6–7,4% and an increase in the mass of microorganisms in the contents of the rumen by 5,4–14,4% (P≥0,05). At the same time, an increase in the concentration of metabolic energy in the dry matter of the cows ration from 10,7 to 11,0 MJ / kg in the period from 21 to 120 days of lactation, due to the inclusion of protected fats in the diet of cows from the experimental groups, contributed to an increase in milk yield 4% fat content for 100 days of the experiment by 9,7% and 11,0% (P≤0,05), compared with the control, as well as the production of milk fat and protein, respectively by 9,6–11,0% (P≤0,05 in the second case) and 7,4–8,3%, feed costs expressed in ME decreased by 4,9–5,2%.

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Pengaruh Pemberian Ransum dengan Kualitas Berbeda Terhadap Profil Darah, Produksi Susu dan Pertambahan Bobot Badan Sapi Perah

Sains Peternakan ◽

10.20961/sainspet.v6i1.4940 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 26 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aqni Hanifa

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Protein Intake ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Blood Profile ◽

Hb Concentration

<div class="Section1">An experiment was conducted to study blood profile, milk yield and liveweight gain of dairy cows as affected by dietary different quality of diets. The experiment used 15 lactating PFH were assigned into three treatments of diets and</div> five replication, three treatments of diets were : 1) T1 (CP 12% dan TDN 65%); 2) T2 (CP 14% dan TDN 70%) dan 3) T3 (CP 16% dan TDN 75%).The results of this experiment showed that the average of dry matter (DM) intake on Tl, T2 and T3 treatments were 8,59; 10,03 and 10,94 kg/d, respectively (P<0,01). The average of crude protein intake (CP) on T1, T2 and T3 treatments were 1,06; 1,44 and 1,71 kg/d (P<0,01), also the average of TDN intake on T1, T2 and T3 treatments were 5,52; 6,86 and 8,02 kg/d (P<0,01). The average of Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration on T1, T2 and T3 treatments were 10,21: 11,18 and 10,44 g/dl (P>0,05), also the average of eritrosit value on TI, T2 and T3 treatments were 3,37; 3,73 and 3,48 million/mm3;, respectively (P>0,05). The average of milk yield on T1, T2 and T3 treatments were 8,12; 11,29 and 13,42 l/d (P<0,05). The average of liveweight gain on TI, T2 and T3 treatments were 81,66; 117,71 and 320,00 g/d (P>0,05). The conclusions of this research was the highest level of CP and "1'DN in diets (CP 16% and TDN 75%) showed that feed intake (DM, CP and TDN) and milk yield gave the best than other treatments. Different dietary quality of diets altered significant on feed intake (DM, CP and TDN) and milk yield, but the treatments did not affect on liveweight gain, Fib and eritrosit concentration. Key words : diets quality, feed intake, blood profile, milk yield, liveweight gain, dairy cows

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Non-structural carbohydrates in the nutrition of high-yielding dairy cows during a transition period

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/873-cjas ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 11) ◽

pp. 468-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. Poláková ◽

V. Kudrna ◽

A. Kodeš ◽

B. Hučko ◽

Z. Mudřík

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Live Weight ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Control Group ◽

Maize Starch ◽

Milk Performance

The main aim of this study was to investigate experimentally the effect of different composition of non-structural carbohydrates (NFC) in prepartum feed rations administered to high-yielding dairy cows at a high concentration of NFC in the diet on dry matter intake both before and after parturition and on subsequent milk performance, body condition and physiological traits of rumen fluid and blood. Thirty-six high-yielding dairy cows were allocated into one of the three well-balanced groups (K, O, and C), and each group received a different feeding rations. Feeding rations differed in non-structural carbohydrate (NFC) structure. The "K" (control) group received a feeding ration with NFC in the form of maize starch in particular, while the feeding rations of the other two (experimental) groups contained either (besides maize starch) saccharose from dried sugar beet (the "O" group) or a dominant amount of NFC was in the form of saccharose (the "C" group). After calving, all dairy cows were given the same feeding ration from the first day after parturition. The experiment was conducted for 21 days before and 50 days after calving. FR in the form of total mixed ration was offered ad libitum. Dry matter intake, milk performance, body condition, live weight, and blood and rumen parameters were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Average daily dry matter intake before calving was highest in the "K" group (14.32 kg per head). Differences among groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Prepartum dry matter consumption dropped as the rate of saccharose in the diet of cows increased. Dry matter consumption levelled off after calving. Milk yield was also highest in the "K" group (43.71 kg/head/day), but fatness of milk and thus the production of fat corrected milk were lowest in this group. The highest milk fat content (4.10%) and fat corrected milk production (44.03 kg/head/day) were recorded in the "C" group, whereas the highest milk protein concentration was found in the milk of the "O" group. The composition of NFC affected dry matter intake before parturition, but these concentrations did not significantly affect dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, live weight, body condition or blood serum and rumen fluid parameters after calving

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Effect of Harvest Time and Microbial Anaerobic Fermentation at Ruminal Degradability, In Vitro Digestibility to Milk Production and Milk Quality for Whole Plant Zhang Hybrid Millet in Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9100749 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 749

Author(s):

Yujia Tian ◽

Xuewei Zhang ◽

Shengli Li ◽

Kai Liu ◽

Peng Guo

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Anaerobic Fermentation ◽

Milk Quality ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Harvest Time ◽

Ruminal Degradability ◽

Alternative Feedstock

This study assessed whether harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could affect ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of whole Zhang hybrid millet, and estimate the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff on milk yield and milk quality. Protein degradation and intestinal digestion were determined using in situ nylon bag technique and three-step in vitro method, respectively. Results showed that harvest time, microbial anaerobic fermentation, or their interaction significantly affected EDDM, EDCP, and EDNDF (p < 0.05). In vitro fermentation was significantly influenced by harvest time. Early harvested samples appeared to have higher Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and lower acetate: propionate ratio than late harvested ones (p < 0.01). However, significant effect of harvest time and fermentation was failed to find in the estimation of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) (p > 0.05). Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff provided similar milk compositions compared with controls, and it significantly reduced SCC (p = 0.04). Milk yield was numerically higher in whole Zhang hybrid millet groups. In conclusion, harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could further improve ruminal utilization of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Whole Zhang hybrid millet could be an alternative feedstock for dairy cows with acceptable safety profile and potential benefit in milk production.

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