scholarly journals AN EVALUATION OF STEAM-TREATED ASPEN AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CORN SILAGE IN THE RATIONS OF LACTATING COWS

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-384
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Forage Mixtures

Fifteen lactating Holsteins were used to test processed aspen added to corn silage at the levels of 0, 10 and 20% (dry matter basis). The experiment was designed as a latin square with three experimental periods each 42 days in length. The forage mixtures were fed free choice to the cows, which were housed in a free-stall barn, and their individual feed intakes were recorded by using electronic doors. The processed aspen contained 45.4% dry matter, 73.7% acid detergent fiber and 0.54% protein. There was no evidence of heating or mold growth in the aspen during the 5 mo of the trial. Silage dry matter intake and milk yield were 11.8, 13.4 and 13.4 and 25.7, 27.0 and 26.8 kg per day, respectively, for the silage mixtures containing 0, 10 and 20% processed aspen. Fat test was decreased slightly and milk protein content significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by the addition of 20% processed aspen chips to the corn silage. Efficiency of milk yield was not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of aspen chips in the silage. Neither the molar proportion of acetic acid nor the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid in the rumen fluid was changed when the cows were fed silage containing processed aspen chips. The apparent digestibilities of total ration dry matter and protein were lowered significantly by the addition of 10% aspen chips to the forage mixture. It was concluded from the results of this trial that steam-processed aspen chips had little nutritive value when fed to lactating cows as a partial substitute for corn silage.

THE INVESTIGATION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE OR BENTONITE AS SUPPLEMENTS IN SILAGES FED TO LACTATING COWS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 939-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
V. G. MACKAY
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Bicarbonate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows

Two experiments with lactating Holsteins were carried out to determine the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or bentonite, added to silage prior to feeding, as a means of increasing dry matter intake. In the first trials the feed, consisting of 10% grain mixture, 45% grass silage and 45% corn silage, was supplemented with 0, 0.6 or 1.2% bentonite in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 12 cows and 28-day test periods. Neither level of bentonite improved dry matter intake or milk yield. Milk composition, molar proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids, plasma calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by additions of bentonite. Apparent dry matter digestibility was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by the addition of bentonite at the 0.6 and 1.2% levels compared to the cows fed the unsupplemented ration. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber was lower (P < 0.05) for cows fed the silage mixture supplemented with 1.2% bentonite than for the controls. In the second trial a silage mixture consisting of approximately 30% grass silage and 70% corn silage was supplemented with either 0.8% NaHCO3, 2.1% bentonite or neither and fed in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 15 cows and 28-day treatment periods. Compared to control cows, neither NaHCO3 nor bentonite had any significant (P > 0.05) influence on dry matter intake, milk yield or rumen fermentation. However, the addition of NaHCO3 to the silage improved milk yield and feed conversion (P < 0.05) when compared to cows fed the silage supplemented with bentonite. It was concluded from these trials that bentonite should not be used as a supplement to silage diets fed to lactating cows. The results suggested that NaHCO3 supplementation had little if any beneficial effect when grass silage made up approximately 30% of the total diet. Key words: NaHCO3, bentonite, lactating cows, silage intake, digestibility

INTAKE AND DIGESTIBILITY OF CORN, RYE AND SORGHUM-SUDAN GRASS SILAGES BY LACTATING COWS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Sudan Grass ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows

Eighteen lactating Holsteins were utilized in a 3 × 3 Latin square (49 d treatment−1) for a comparative estimation of the intake and digestibility of corn, rye and sorghum-sudan grass silages. The dry matter (DM), protein and acid detergent fiber contents were 32.5, 8.0, 27.0; 25.2, 8.7, 45.6 and 22.4, 10.6, 40.7 percent for corn, rye, and sorghum-sudan silages, respectively. Dry matter intake of the silage and milk yield were less (P < 0.05) for cows fed rye silage compared to those fed corn and sorghum-sudan grass silage. Cows lost body weight when fed rye silage but gained weight when fed either corn or sorghum-sudan grass silage. The feeding of rye silage resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in milk protein percent compared to the feeding of corn or sorghum-sudan silage and in the percentage of milk lactose compared to the feeding of sorghum-sudan grass silage. Molar proportions of rumen acetate were higher (P < 0.05) when cows were fed either rye or sorghum-sudan silage compared to corn silage. Cows fed rye silage had higher molar proportions of rumen propionate and valerate and lower levels of butyrate (P < 0.05) compared to cows consuming sorghum-sudan silage. The digestibility of total ration DM was lower (P < 0.05) when either rye or sorghum-sudan silage was the forage portion of the ration compared to corn. It was concluded from this trial that sorghum-sudan silage provided a suitable source of forage for lactating dairy cows. However, the DM intake and milk yield of cows fed rye silage was less than satisfactory. Key words: Dairy cattle, rye, sorghum-sudan, silage, intake, digestibility

EVALUATION OF WHOLE CROP OAT SILAGE AS A BASAL FORAGE FOR LACTATING COWS

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD ◽  
G. A. LODGE
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Molar Percent ◽  
Dough Stage

Corn silage ensiled at 33% dry matter (DM) (Treatment CS); oats harvested at the milk stage of maturity and ensiled with oat grain (Treatment OG); oats harvested at the milk stage of maturity and wilted prior to ensiling (Treatment OM) and oats harvested at the soft dough stage of maturity and ensiled (Treatment OSD) were fed to each of 16 lactating cows during four successive 49-day periods, according to a switchback design. The silages as fed contained 34.5, 34.2, 31.9 and 36.6% dry matter (DM) and 8.6, 14.0, 14.4 and 10.5% protein for Treatments CS, OG, OM, and OSD, respectively. Forage dry matter (DM) intake was significantly greater (P < 0.01) on Treatment OG than on CS, and significantly less (P < 0.01) on Treatment OM than on either CS, OG or OSD. Milk yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) on Treatment OG than on OM. Milk protein percent was higher (P < 0.05) on Treatment CS than on OSD, and lactose percent was lower (P < 0.01) on Treatment CS than on OG. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on the acetate:propionate ratio in the rumen fluid. However, molar percent of rumen butyrate was significantly (P < 0.05) lower on Treatment OM than on either CS or OG. The apparent digestibilities of silage DM were 58.6, 58.0, 60.8, and 52.9, and of silage crude protein were 43.3, 65.3, 63.8, and 55.0 for Treatments CS, OG, OM, and OSD, respectively. Efficiencies of conversion of dietary energy and protein to milk energy and protein were also calculated.

A COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS OF COMBINING ALFALFA CUBES WITH CORN SILAGE FED TO LACTATING COWS

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-565
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Changeover Period ◽  
Feeding Systems

Sixteen Holstein cows in early lactation were assigned to a switch-back experiment consisting of two experimental periods 35 days in length separated by a 7-day changeover period. Treatments consisted of two feeding systems, alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage or alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. When cows were fed corn–alfalfa cube silage they consumed more forage, 2.26 vs. 2.16% of body weight per cow per day than when they were fed the alfalfa cubes with the silage. Fat-corrected milk yield was somewhat higher, 25.4 vs. 24.0 kg/day; fat percent and fat yield were greater, 3.13 vs. 2.70% and 918 vs. 814 g/day for corn–alfalfa cube silage as compared to cubes added at feeding time. However, milk yield was greater, 29.9 vs. 29.1 kg/day, and milk lactose percent was greater, 5.26 vs. 5.18% for cows fed cubes at feeding time compared to cows fed corn–alfalfa cube silage. There was no difference between feeding systems in blood minerals or metabolites with the exception of plasma urea nitrogen which was higher, 20.2 vs. 17.2 mg %, for the alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. Apparent dry matter and protein digestibility for the total ration were 68.1 and 71.6% when corn alfalfa cube silage was fed compared to 65.4 and 68.5% when the cubes were fed with the corn silage (P < 0.05). It was concluded from this study that alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage was an effective method of increasing the dry matter and protein content of corn silage and in improving the digestibility of the total ration.

VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF SHREDDED NEWSPRINT BY DAIRY COWS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. GRIEVE ◽  
J. H. BURTON ◽  
H. E. BRAUN ◽  
R. FRANK
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
High Moisture ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Voluntary Intake

Shredded newsprint is a potential source of bedding for livestock, but because it may contain certain heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls significant voluntary consumption of newsprint by animals would be undesirable. To determine consumption levels, 18 Holstein cows in mid-lactation (average 19 wk) were used in a double latin square design. Squares represented access to shredded newsprint or chopped hay in the feed manger except during feeding time. Within squares, cows were allotted to each of three complete mixed rations over three 6-wk treatment periods. Rations comprised hay crop silage, corn silage, high moisture grain corn and soybean meal with roughage:concentrate ratios of 30:70 (LR), 50:50 (MR) and 70:30 (HR). Mixed rations were fed according to individual cow requirements for energy depending on body weight, milk yield and milk fat percent. Cows were allowed 4 h after each of two feedings per day to consume their allotted mixed ration. Voluntary consumption of newsprint was only 0.3 kg per cow per day or 2% of total dry matter intake while for those offered hay consumption was 2.6 kg∙cow−1∙day−1 or 15% of total dry matter intake. Intakes of mixed rations were unaffected by roughage:concentrate ratio or newsprint versus hay. However, total dry matter consumption (mixed ration plus newsprint or hay) was higher for cows offered hay (17.3 kg∙cow−1∙day−1) than for those offered newsprint (15.1 kg∙cow−1∙day−1). Levels of heavy metals in milk or blood samples of cows with access to newsprint were within normally accepted ranges. PCBs were at undetectable levels in all cases. Bedding cows with newsprint is unlikely to result in significant consumption or contamination of animals or their products. Key words: Lactating cows, newsprint consumption, heavy metals

THE EFFECT OF PLANTING DENSITY ON THE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF CORN SILAGE FOR LACTATING COWS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143-1148 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
N. A. FAIREY
Keyword(s):  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
High Density ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Planting Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Density Treatment

A late-maturing corn hybrid, Funk brand G4444, was planted in 2-ha plots at 60 000 plants per hectare (low density) and at 100 000 plants per hectare (high density). At harvest, the dry matter and ear contents were 24.2 and 34%, respectively, for the low-density treatment and 22.8 and 28%, respectively, for the high-density treatment. Two groups of 10 lactating cows were used to compare the nutritive value of the ensiled forages over a 10-wk feeding period. Silage dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat content were 10.33 kg/day, 27.11 kg/day and 3.52% for the cows fed high-density silage compared to 11.79 kg/day, 31.88 kg/day and 2.91% for those fed the low-density silage. Feeding the low-density silage resulted in a decreased level of acetic acid in the rumen and an increased level of propionic acid. Blood hematocrit and plasma calcium levels were lower for cows fed the silage from the low-density planting. Dry matter digestibility of the complete ration was 72.5 and 71.8% for the high- and low-density plantings, respectively. It was concluded that an increased ear content of approximately 10 percentage units resulted in a corn silage which was consumed more readily, altered rumen fermentation and caused a decrease in milk fat content. Key words: Corn silage, lactating dairy cows, planting density

scholarly journals Production and marginal analysis of lactating cows subjected to dietary cation-anion balances

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
pp. e52698
Author(s):  
Cibelle Borges Figueiredo ◽  
Hermógenes Almeida de Santana Junior ◽  
Fabrício Barcelar Lima Mendes ◽  
Elizângela Oliveira Cardoso-Santana ◽  
Pablo Teixeira Viana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Economic Traits ◽  
Marginal Rate ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Marginal Rate Of Return

The objective of this study was to evaluate productive, nutritional, and economic traits in lactating cows on pasture fed diets with different cation-anion balances (DCAB). Ten lactating ¾ Holstein × ¼ Dairy Gyr cows in the middle third of lactation, at an average age of 70 ± 4.6 months and an average body weight of 400 ± 55.2 kg, were distributed into five treatments in a 5 × 5 Latin square experimental design with two simultaneous squares. Treatments consisted of diets with DCAB of +237, +258, +294, +347, or +419 mEq dry matter (DM). No effects of intake were observed. There was no significant effect of DCAB on milk yield. The milk protein content was not influenced by the DCAB. Body condition score was not significantly affected by the DCAB. The apparent digestibilities of dry matter and nutrients (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, ether extract, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients) were not affected by the DCAB. Marginal rate of return did not show significant differences. Under good conditions of pasture, forage availability, and quality associated with the lactation phases of the cows, all diets were efficient in milk production, dry matter intake, and digestibility. However, in economic terms, the most attractive DCAB was +237 mEq kg-1 DM.

scholarly journals Evaluation of rehydrated corn grain silage with okara or soybean inclusion in the performance of lactating cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 2747-2758
Author(s):  
Tamara Tais Tres ◽  
◽  
Clóves Cabreira Jobim ◽  
Robson Marcelo Rossi ◽  
Antonio Vinicius Iank Bueno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Corn Grain ◽  
Corn Grains

This study aimed to evaluate dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition, and feed efficiency of cows fed corn grain silages with okara or raw soybean inclusion. Six Holstein cows were distributed in a double Latin square and arranged in the following treatments: concentrate formulated based on corn grain silage with 30% okara inclusion; concentrate of corn grain silage with 20% raw soybean inclusion, and concentrate based on dry corn grains. Statistical analysis was performed using Bayesian inference. Diets formulated with silages reduced dry matter intake compared to the diet of concentrate based on dry grains. High digestibility of DM, OM, NFC, and EE was observed for diets with silage inclusion. Milk presented an increase in CLA for the diet of corn grain silage diet with soybean inclusion. Rehydrated grain corn silage with soybean or okara inclusion reduced dry matter intake and increased nutrient digestibility, maintaining the same milk production, which demonstrates the higher efficiency of these diets.

THE COMPARATIVE NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SPARTINA PECTINATA AND TIMOTHY AT SEVERAL STAGES OF GROWTH

1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. G. Nicholson ◽  
J. E. Langille
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Spartina Pectinata ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Stage Of Development

Spartina pectináta (Link) was harvested at four stages of growth (leaf, boot, head, and seed) from an unfertilized area of dikeland and at the final three dates following a late spring application of nitrogen fertilizer. This was compared with timothy (Phleum praténse L.) grown on unfertilized dikeland and harvested on five dates selected to include a similar range of physiological development.The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and nitrogen, the dry matter consumption by sheep, and the nitrogen content declined as the forages matured. The rate of decline in digestibility of dry matter was greater for the timothy, but there was a maximum difference between species of only 3.5 percentage units.The timothy was consumed in greater amounts by sheep than spartina of similar digestibility. Consumption of the two species did not differ significantly at the seed stage of development, but at immature stages more timothy was consumed.All except the earliest cutting of spartina gave a significantly higher proportion of acetic acid and lower proportion of propionic acid in rumen fluid than did feeding timothy. Advancing maturity had no effect on the proportions of VFA from timothy; with spartina there was an increase in acetic acid and a decrease in butyric acid.It was concluded that spartina harvested at the conventional time in late summer is low in digestibility and is not consumed in sufficient quantity to meet the energy requirement of sheep.

Feeding behaviour, food intake and milk production responses of lactating dairy cows to diets based on grass silage of high or low dry-matter content, supplemented with quickly and slowly fermentable energy sources

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Romney ◽  
V. Blunn ◽  
R. Sanderson ◽  
J. D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Optimal Forage ◽  
Forage Utilization

AbstractTwelve dairy cows in early lactation were offered low (L; 215 g/kg) or high (H; 449 g/kg) dry matter(DM) content silages, prepared using material from the same sward. In addition, all animals received 9 kg/day, of supplements based on barley (B), sugar-beet pulp (SB) or a 50: 50 mixture of the two (B: SB), in two equal portions at 07:30 and 14:30 h. The six treatments were offered in an incomplete Latin square design. Mean intakes of H (14·4 kg DM per day) were significantly higher than intakes observed for L (10·0 kg DM per day) (P < 0·001). Within silage type, highest intakes were observed for cows receiving the SB supplement (P < 0·01). Higher intakes of H were reflected in higher total milk yield (P < 0·05) as well as fat (P < 0·05) and protein (P < 0·01) yield. Milk protein concentration was greater for animals receiving silage H (P < 0·001), with lower values being observed for animals consuming SB (P < 0·05), within silage type. Time spent eating, duration and number of meals were similar for either silage and the higher intakes of H silage reflected greater intake rates (g DM per min) (P < 0·001) resulting in larger meal sizes (P < 0·001). All chewing indices (time spent eating silage, ruminating and total time chewing per kg DM ingested) were greater for the L silage (P < 0·001). It is concluded that the benefits in forage intake with higher DM grass silages, for high yielding dairy cows, are associated with consequential benefits in milk yield and milk protein content. The most likely explanation for the greater intakes is a faster particle breakdown in the rumen allowing larger meal sizes before animals became constrained. The higher intakes of silage when animals consumed the SB supplement may be due to a slower rate of fermentation of the supplement, which was more closely matched to that of silage. Although not significant there was a tendency for differences in silage intake between animals receiving B compared with SB supplements to be greater for animals receiving the H silage suggesting that supplementation strategies to ensure optimal forage utilization may differ for silages of differing DM content.

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