Document Detail


The effect of early-lactation feeding strategy on the lactation performance of spring-calving dairy cows.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17517748     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The objective of this study was to establish the influence of daily herbage allowance (DHA) and supplementation level offered to spring-calving dairy cows in early lactation on animal performance throughout lactation. Sixty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to a 6-treatment grazing study. The treatments comprised 3 DHA levels (13, 16, and 19 kg of DM/cow; >4 cm) and 2 concentrate supplementation levels (0 and 4 kg of DM/cow per day). Treatments were imposed from February 21 to May 8 (period 1; P1). During the subsequent 4-wk (period 2; P2), animals were offered a DHA of 20 kg of DM/cow and no concentrate. Subsequently, all animals grazed as a single herd to the end of lactation. Sward quality was homogeneous throughout lactation. A low DHA increased sward utilization (+14%) but reduced milk, solids-corrected milk, protein, and lactose yields compared with a high DHA during P1. Concentrate supplementation significantly increased milk, solids-corrected milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields during P1. The positive effect of concentrate supplementation remained throughout P2. A total concentrate input of 380 kg of DM/cow increased total lactation milk (+432 kg), solids-corrected milk (+416 kg), fat (+18 kg), protein (+15 kg), and lactose (+23 kg) yields. Greater P1 body weights were recorded when a high DHA and concentrate were offered. The P1 treatment had no effect on body condition score throughout lactation. The results indicate that offering a low DHA in early spring does not adversely affect total milk production, body weight, or body condition score, and offering concentrate results in a greater total lactation milk production performance.
Authors:
E Kennedy; M O'Donovan; F P O'Mara; J P Murphy; L Delaby
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of dairy science     Volume:  90     ISSN:  1525-3198     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Dairy Sci.     Publication Date:  2007 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-05-22     Completed Date:  2007-08-09     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  2985126R     Medline TA:  J Dairy Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  3060-70     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Dairy Production Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. Emer.Kennedy@teagasc.ie
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animal Feed*
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology*
Animals
Body Composition
Body Constitution
Cattle / physiology*
Dietary Supplements
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Female
Lactation / metabolism,  physiology*
Milk / chemistry*,  secretion
Nutritional Requirements
Random Allocation
Time Factors
Weight Gain

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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