Performance of crossbred Holstein x Gyr dairy cows, with and without energy supplementation, in BRS Kurumi elephant grass pastures

This study evaluated the effect of energy supplementation with ground corn on the performance of crossbred dairy cows in BRS Kurumi elephant grass pastures managed under rotational stocking during the rainy season. Six Holstein × Gyr cows were used, with average milk production, body weight, body condition score, and days in milk of 18.0±2.89 kg day−1, 560±66 kg, 2.50±0.21, and 99±12, respectively. The experimental design used was the complete reversion (switchback), and the evaluations were conducted over three grazing cycles, with adaptation periods of 14 days and six days of sample collection. The concentrate supplement (ground corn) was supplied twice a day, at a rate of 2 kg cow−1 day−1 in the morning and 1 kg cow−1 day−1 in the afternoon (as-fed basis). A reduction of 23.4% was observed in the pasture dry matter (DM) intake (PDMI) in cows that received energy supplementation, which corresponds to 2.96 kg day-1 less of PDMI when compared to the group without supplementation. This corresponds to a substitution rate of 1.1 kg of pasture per kg of concentrate consumed (DM basis), which reduced the intake (kg cow−1 day−1) of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein by 18.9% and 13.9% in the cows that received ground corn. There were increases of 11.8%, 9.0%, and 10.1%, respectively, in the milk yield, the 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, and the energy-corrected milk yield of the cows that received ground corn. The response to supplementation in kg of milk per kg of DM of concentrate consumed was 0.57, and the milk contents of fat, protein, and lactose did not differ between treatments. The energy supplementation with 3 kg cow−1 day−1 of ground corn resulted in an increase of 11.8% in the milk yield of Holstein × Gyr dairy cows grazed on BRS Kurumi elephant grass, as well as promoted increases in the daily protein, lactose, and total solids yields. In addition, the provision of 3 kg day−1 of ground corn for lactating cows grazing on BRS Kurumi increased the efficiency in the use of dietary nitrogen.

Download Full-text

Productive and physiological responses of lactating dairy cows supplemented with phytogenic feed ingredients1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txz108 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 1133-1142 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rodrigo O Rodrigues ◽

Reinaldo F Cooke ◽

Franciele C Firmino ◽

Mayara K R Moura ◽

Beatriz F Angeli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Physiological Responses ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Clinical Mastitis ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Ground Corn

Abstract This experiment compared milk production, milk composition, and physiological responses in lactating dairy cows supplemented with or without a mixture of condensed tannins, encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, curcumin, capsaicin, and piperine. Thirty-six lactating, multiparous, pregnant ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows were maintained in a single drylot pen with ad libitum access to water and a total-mixed ration and were milked twice daily (d –7 to 84). On d 0, cows were ranked by days in milk (86 ± 3 d), milk yield (27.8 ± 1.0 kg), body weight (BW; 584 ± 10 kg), and body condition score (BCS; 3.04 ± 0.06) and assigned to receive (SUPP; n = 18) or not (CON; n = 18) 30 g/cow daily (as-fed basis) of Actifor Pro (Delacon Biotechnik GmbH; Steyregg, Austria). From d 0 to 84, SUPP cows individually received (as-fed basis) 15 g of Actifor Pro mixed with 85 g of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates before each milking of the day. Each CON cow concurrently received 85 g (as-fed basis) of finely ground corn through self-locking headgates. Throughout the experimental period (d –7 to 84), cows from both treatments were administered 500 mg of sometribove zinc at 14-d intervals and were monitored daily for morbidity, including clinical mastitis. Individual milk production was recorded daily, whereas milk samples were collected weekly for analysis of milk composition. Cow BW, BCS, and blood samples were also collected weekly. Cows receiving SUPP gained more BCS (P = 0.05) and had greater (P = 0.04) milk yield during the experiment compared with CON cows (0.22 vs. 0.07 of BCS, SEM = 0.05; 29.5 vs. 27.9 kg/d, SEM = 0.5). Milk composition did not differ (P ≥ 0.15) between SUPP and CON cows; hence, SUPP cows also had greater (P ≤ 0.02) production of fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk. Incidence of clinical mastitis did not differ (P ≥ 0.49) between SUPP and CON cows. No treatment differences were also detected (P ≥ 0.21) for serum concentrations of glucose and serum urea N. Mean serum haptoglobin concentration during the experiment was greater (P = 0.05) in CON vs. SUPP cows. Cows receiving SUPP had less (P ≤ 0.04) serum cortisol concentrations on d 21 and 42, and greater (P ≤ 0.05) serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I on d 7, 35, and 63 compared with CON cows (treatment × day interactions; P ≤ 0.02). Collectively, supplementing phytogenic feed ingredients improved nutritional status and milk production of lactating ¾ Holstein × ¼ Gir cows.

Download Full-text

Replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal in diets based on spineless cactus for lactating cows

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/s1516-35982009001000020 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 38 (10) ◽

pp. 1995-2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fabiana Maria da Silva ◽

Marcelo de Andrade Ferreira ◽

Adriana Guim ◽

Ricardo Alexandre Silva Pessoa ◽

Luiz Henrique dos Santos Gomes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Cottonseed Meal ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Soybean Meal ◽

Latin Square ◽

Live Weight ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Sorghum Silage

The objective of this study was to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal in the diet of dairy cows fed diets based on spineless cactus. Five Girolando lactating cows were used, with average live weight of 490 kg and average production of 11.5 kg of milk/day, distributed in a 5 × 5 Latin square design (5 animals, 5 treatments and 5 experimental periods). Each experimental period lasted 15 days, 10 days being for the adaptation of the animals to the diet and 5 days for data collection. The experimental diet consisted of spineless cactus (53%), sorghum silage (32%) and concentrate (15%). The cottonseed meal replaced 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of soybean meal in the concentrate. The intake, milk yield and composition were evaluated. The nutrients intake and digestibility were not affected by the treatments, with an average of 15.55 and 56.05; 13.8 and 59.31, 0.37 and 49.40, 5.32 and 30.95, 1.79 and 48.14; 9.94 and 54.31, 4.43 kg/day and 80.99%, for the dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, total carbohydrates and non-fibrous carbohydrates, respectively. The total digestible nutrients were not affected (average of 8.30 kg/day). Similarly, the milk yield and composition, fat corrected milk yield (4%), lactose, total solids, fat and protein were not affected by replacement (11.56, 11.41 kg milk/day and 4.45, 12.75, 3.95 and 3.42%, respectively). Recommended the replacement of soybean meal by cottonseed meal for low production dairy cows.

Download Full-text

Characterization of Short-Term Heat Stress in Holstein Dairy Cows Using Altered Indicators of Metabolomics, Blood Parameters, Milk MicroRNA-216 and Characteristics

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030722 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 722

Author(s):

Jang-Hoon Jo ◽

Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽

Dong-Qiao Peng ◽

Hye-Ran Kim ◽

Sang-Ho Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Short Term ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Humidity Index ◽

Holstein Dairy Cows

This study aims to characterize the influence of short-term heat stress (HS; 4 day) in early lactating Holstein dairy cows, in terms of triggering blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and composition, and milk microRNA expression. Eight cows (milk yield = 30 ± 1.5 kg/day, parity = 1.09 ± 0.05) were homogeneously housed in environmentally controlled chambers, assigned into two groups with respect to the temperature humidity index (THI) at two distinct levels: approximately ~71 (low-temperature, low-humidity; LTLH) and ~86 (high-temperature, high-humidity; HTHH). Average feed intake (FI) dropped about 10 kg in the HTHH group, compared with the LTLH group (p = 0.001), whereas water intake was only numerically higher (p = 0.183) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Physiological parameters, including rectal temperature (p = 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.038), were significantly higher in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Plasma cortisol and haptoglobin were higher (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group, compared to the LTLH group. Milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were lower (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Higher relative expression of milk miRNA-216 was observed in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). Valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lactic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 1,5-anhydro-D-sorbitol, myo-inositol, and urea were decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest that early lactating cows are more vulnerable to short-term (4 day) high THI levels—that is, HTHH conditions—compared with LTLH, considering the enormous negative effects observed in measured blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and compositions, and milk miRNA-216 expression.

Download Full-text

Genetic Relationships among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility in Dairy Cows

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(03)73809-0 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 86 (6) ◽

pp. 2193-2204 ◽

Cited By ~ 172

Author(s):

D.P. Berry ◽

F. Buckley ◽

P. Dillon ◽

R.D. Evans ◽

M. Rath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Genetic Relationships ◽

Condition Score

Download Full-text

Analysis of lactating cows on commercial Austrian dairy farms: the influence of genotype and body weight on efficiency parameters

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.5194/aab-62-491-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (2) ◽

pp. 491-500 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Maria Ledinek ◽

Leonhard Gruber ◽

Franz Steininger ◽

Birgit Fuerst-Waltl ◽

Karl Zottl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Efficiency ◽

Body Weight ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Weight Class ◽

Dual Purpose ◽

Weight Range ◽

Project Data ◽

Relationship Of

Abstract. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to evaluate the influence of body weight on the efficiency of dairy cows, and second, to analyze the current state of dairy cattle populations as part of the Austrian Cattle Breeding Association's Efficient Cow project. Data of Fleckvieh (FV, dual-purpose Simmental), Fleckvieh×Red Holstein (FV×RH), Holstein (HF) and Brown Swiss (BS) dairy cows (161 farms, 6098 cows) were collected at each performance recording during the year 2014. In addition to routinely recorded data (e.g., milk yield, fertility), body weight, body measurements, body condition score (BCS) and individual feed information were also collected. The following efficiency traits were considered: body weight efficiency as the ratio of energy-corrected milk (ECM) to metabolic body weight, feed efficiency (kilogram ECM per kilogram dry-matter intake) and energy efficiency expressed as the ratio of energy in milk to energy intake. The relationship of milk yield to body weight was shown to be nonlinear. Milk yield decreased in cows above the 750 kg body weight class for HF, BS and FV×RH with 68 % RH genes, but less dramatically and later for FV at 800 kg. This resulted in an optimum body weight for feed and energy efficiency. BS and HF had the highest efficiency in a narrower and lighter body weight range (550–700 kg) due to a stronger curvature of the parabolic curve. Contrary to this, the efficiency of FV did not change as much as it did in the dairy breeds with increasing body weight, meaning that FV had a similar feed and energy efficiency in a range of 500–750 kg. The breed differences disappeared when body weight ranged between 750 and 800 kg. The average body weight of the breeds studied (FV 722 kg, BS 649 and HF 662 kg) was in the optimum range. FV was located at the upper end of the decreasing segment. In conclusion, an optimum body weight range for efficiency does exist, due to the nonlinear relationship of milk yield and body weight. Specialized dairy breeds seem to respond more intensively to body weight range than dual-purpose breeds, due to the stronger curvature. Cows with medium weights within a population are the most efficient. Heavy cows (>750 kg) produce even less milk. A further increase in dairy cows' body weights should therefore be avoided.

Download Full-text

Use of BUN and MUN as Guides for Protein and Energy Supplementation in Cattle

Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria ◽

10.21930/rcta.vol2_num2_art:171 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 44 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrew C. Hammond

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Protein Nitrogen ◽

Urea Nitrogen ◽

Nitrogen Concentrations ◽

Energy Supplementation ◽

Relative Deficiency

As an adjunct to monitoring body weight changes and body condition score, blood or milk urea nitrogen (BUN or MUN) can be a useful tool for monitoring the proteinenergy status of cattle. In healthy beef cows or finishing steers, urea nitrogen concentrations of less than about 7 mg/dL would indicate a deficiency of dietary protein (nitrogen) relative to the intake of digestible energy. In rapidly growing cattle or high producing dairy cows, urea nitrogen concentrations of less than about 15 mg/dL indicate a relative deficiency of dietary protein. Urea nitrogen concentrations of greater than 19 to 20 mg/dL have been associated with reduced conception and pregnancy rates in dairy cows. Uso de niveles de nitrógeno uréico en sangre (BUN) y leche (MUN) como guía para la suplementación protéica y energética en bovinosAdemás de las mediciones tradicionales de cambios en el peso y la condición corporal, los niveles de nitrógeno uréico en sangre (BUN) o en leche (MUN) pueden utilizarse como herramientas para estimar el estado de la nutrición energético-proteínica del ganado. En vacas y novillos sanos, las concentraciones de nitrógeno uréico por debajo de 7 mg/ dL indican deficiencias de proteína (nitrógeno) en la dieta con relación al consumo de energía digestible. En el ganado vacuno de rápido crecimiento o las vacas lecheras de alta producción, las concentraciones de nitrógeno uréico menores de 15 mg/ dL señalan una deficiencia relativa de proteína en la dieta. Las concentraciones de nitrógeno uréico mayores de 19 a 20 mg/dL, se han asociado con una reducción de las tasas de concepción y preñez en vacas lecheras.

Download Full-text

Effect of dietary-induced increases in circulating insulin concentrations during the early postpartum period on reproductive function in dairy cows

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep.0.1230419 ◽

2002 ◽

pp. 419-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 138

Author(s):

JG Gong ◽

WJ Lee ◽

PC Garnsworthy ◽

R Webb

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Post Partum ◽

Dietary Treatment ◽

Genetic Merit ◽

Selection For

Although it has become increasingly clear that fertility in modern dairy cattle is declining in association with increased milk yields, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The first ovulation post partum is delayed in dairy cows undergoing selection for genetic merit for milk yield in association with lower circulating insulin concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether feeding a diet to increase circulating insulin concentrations can overcome this delay in the first ovulation post partum. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial design (n = 10 per group) involving diet and genetic merit for milk yield. The dietary treatment started on the day of calving and lasted for 50 days. Plasma samples were collected each day and ovarian ultra-sonography was performed three times a week during the experimental feeding period. Milk yield was recorded each day, and body weight and body condition score were determined each week. Milk samples were collected three times a week from day 50 to day 105 post partum, and reproductive performance data were recorded for all the cows as part of the routine farm practice. The dietary treatment induced significant differences in plasma insulin concentrations in both high and low genetic merit cows. Although high genetic merit cows produced more milk, lost more body weight and had lower body condition scores during the experiment, no significant effect of diet was observed on these measurements. The high insulin inducing diet increased the proportion of cows ovulating within 50 days of calving and reduced the intervals from calving to first ovulation, and tended to reduce the intervals from calving to first service and to conception. These fertility parameters were also more favourable in low than in high genetic merit cows, but no interaction between diet and genetic merit was observed for any of these parameters. Genetic merit, but not diet, also affected the number of services required per conception and the conception rate. In conclusion, these results have confirmed that genetic selection for high milk yield is associated with a decrease in reproductive performance in dairy cows. More importantly, this study has demonstrated that it is possible to alleviate this problem by nutritional manipulation.

Download Full-text

UTILIZATION OF FORMIC ACID TREATED SORGHUM-SUDAN SILAGE BY DAIRY COWS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas71-050 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 371-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

L. J. FISHER ◽

J. R. LESSARD ◽

G. A. LODGE

Keyword(s):

Moisture Content ◽

Formic Acid ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Average Moisture Content ◽

Sudan Grass ◽

Lactating Cows

Four methods of ensiling sorghum-sudan grass were compared: A, field wilted to an average moisture content of 69% prior to chopping; B, direct cut and chopped; C, direct cut and chopped with 0.5% w/w of 90% formic acid added at time of ensiling; and D, direct cut and chopped with 1.5% w/w molasses added during the ensiling process. The four silages were fed successively to each of 16 lactating cows over periods of 56 days according to a changeover design. Mean silage dry matter intakes (kg/day) were 10.0a, 9.1b, 9.2b and 9.5ab, and mean milk yields (kg/day) were 16.2a, 16.5a, 17.2b and 16.4a for treatments A, B, C, and D, respectively (where means followed by the same letter were not significantly different; P < 0.05). Digestibilities of dry matter, fiber and energy were significantly lower (P < 0.05) for the formic acid-treated than for the wilted silage. The efficiency of energy utilization for milk yield plus body gain was greater (P < 0.05) for formic acid silage than for any other treatment.

Download Full-text