Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Feed additives for dairy cows'

Sixty lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated block experiment to determine the efficacy of eight feed additives to reduce the transfer of aflatoxin (AF) from feed to milk. Six cows were allocated to each treatment group and 12 to a control group. All cows were fed the same aflatoxin-contaminated total mixed ration (TMR) with either no additive (control) or one of eight additives at 0.5% of the TMR dry matter (DM). Milk samples were collected twice daily to evaluate changes in milk AF concentration, milk AF excretion (milk AF concentration × milk yield); and AF transfer from feed to milk (AF excretion as a percentage of AF intake). All changes were expressed as percentages and calculated relative to the control group which defined zero change. Four of the eight additives resulted in significant reductions (P < 0.05) in milk AF concentration, secretion, and AF transfer ranging from 34.98-40.39%, 36.36-52.28%, and 34.45-48.44%, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) by the consumption of AF, while milk production was not affected during the same time period. Neither DMI nor milk production were affected by the addition of treatment products to the diet when compared to control (P > 0.05).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 1999.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 82 p. : ill. (some col.). Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 55-63).

Forage shortage may force producers to feed unfermented or partially fermented forages, which are more susceptible to aerobic deterioration. Propionic acid-based additives can be added to ensiled forages to inhibit yeast and mold growth, and improve the aerobic stability of silages. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a propionic acid-based silage additive (Solution Foin) on ensiling characteristics, aerobic stability and feeding value of short-term ensiled corn forage. Chopped whole corn was left untreated or treated with Solution Foin (contains 700 g kg-1 propionic acid and 300 g kg-1 NH4OH). The additive was added to forage prior ensiling at a rate of 5 L ton-1 (wet basis). Treated and untreated forages were placed in six plastic silo bags (three each). Silo bags were opened one day after ensiling and daily samples were collected for 30 consecutive days. Effects on animal performance of feeding treated or untreated forage were determined in a completely randomized design, using 30 lactating cows (178+/-55 days in milk) fed total mixed ration (50:50 forage: concentrate) with the major forage portion consisting of untreated or treated forage. The feeding study started one day post-ensiling. Results showed that Solution Foin reduced (P < 0.05) yeast and mold populations between d 5 and 14 post-ensiling. The highest differences (P < 0.002) were observed on d 10, at which point yeast and mold populations for untreated silage were 7.86 and 2.51 log cfu g-1, respectively. The corresponding values for treated silage were 4.35 and 0.00 log cfu g-1, respectively. Aerobic stability of treated ensiled forage was also improved (P < 0.01) from day 0 (by 159 h) to day 10 (by 33 h) post-ensiling. Solution Foin also increased (P < 0.05) the overall lactic acid and WSC content, and lowered the temperature of the treated ensiled forage in the field. No treatment differences were detected in the forage pH and acetic acid concentration. Dairy cows fed treated forage had similar feed intake (average 23 kg d-1) and milk yield (average 29 kg d-1) to cows fed the untreated forage. It was concluded that Solution Foin can be used to improve the aerobic stability and ensiled forage characteristics of short-term corn forage, likely by reducing yeast and mold populations.

Foram realizados três experimentos para avaliar o grau de moagem do milho, sua substituição por subprodutos agroindustriais e o fornecimento de aditivos microbiológicos em rações para vacas leiteiras recebendo silagem de milho como volumoso. Experimento 1: Foram utilizadas trinta e seis vacas da raça Holandesa (330 DEL) para avaliar o fornecimento de aditivo microbiológico (Levucell SC20 da Lallemand Animal Nutrition) em rações com ou sem substituição parcial (50%) de milho finamente moído por polpa cítrica. Foi utilizado delineamento em Quadrados Latinos 4x4 repetidos. A ingestão de matéria seca, produção e composição do leite e teor de glicose plasmática não foram afetadas (P>0,05) pelos tratamentos. O nitrogênio uréico no leite foi maior (P<0,05) nos animais que receberam aditivo microbiológico. O nitrogênio uréico no plasma foi reduzido pela substituição parcial do milho pela polpa cítrica (P<0,05). A substituição parcial do milho por polpa cítrica não teve efeito negativo sobre o desempenho de vacas produzindo em média 19 kg/d de leite. Experimento 2: Foram utilizadas vinte e oito vacas da raça Holandesa (230 DEL) para avaliar os efeitos de vários teores de amido na matéria seca da ração sobre o desempenho lactacional dos animais. O teor de amido variou através da substituição do milho moído fino pela polpa cítrica. Os tratamentos foram: 15% (AM15), 20% (AM20), 25% (AM25) e 30% de amido (AM30). Foi utilizado delineamento em Quadrados Latinos 4x4 repetidos. As produções de leite foram 27,94; 29,17; 31,11 e 29,64 kg/d para os tratamentos AM15, AM20, AM25 e AM30, respectivamente, apresentando efeito cúbico significativo (P<0,05). Para produção de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais do leite também houve efeito cúbico (P<0,05). Para teor de proteína, sólidos totais e nitrogênio uréico no leite houve efeito linear (P<0,05). Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre teor de gordura do leite e glicose e nitrogênio uréico plasmáticos (P>0,05). Vacas produzindo em torno de 30 kg/d apresentaram melhor desempenho quando alimentadas com rações contendo 25% de amido, não havendo vantagem no fornecimento de rações com teor de amido de 30%. Experimento 3: Foram utilizadas trinta e duas vacas da raça Holandesa (160 DEL) para comparar o grau de moagem do milho (fino ou grosso) em combinação com polpa cítrica peletizada ou casca de soja nas rações. Os tratamentos foram: milho moído fino + polpa cítrica (MFPC), milho moído grosso + polpa cítrica (MGPC), milho moído fino + casca de soja (MFCS), milho moído grosso + casca de soja (MGCS). Foi utilizado delineamento em Quadrados Latinos 4x4 repetidos. A ingestão de matéria seca, produção de leite, teores de gordura, proteína e lactose do leite, glicose e nitrogênio uréico plasmáticos não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). Houve efeito significativo da interação grau de moagem versus tipo de subproduto (P<0,05) para produção de leite corrigido para gordura, produção de gordura e de sólidos totais do leite. O grau de moagem do milho e o tipo de subproduto não afetaram o desempenho de vacas leiteiras com produção ao redor de 24 kg/d.
Three experiments were conducted to assess the effects of corn grain grinding, byproducts and yeast culture supplementation in dairy cow rations containing corn silage as forage. Experiment 1: Thirty six lactating Holstein cows (330 days in milk - DIM) were used to study the supplementation of yeast culture (Levucell SC20 – Lallemand Animal Nutrition) in dairy rations with partial (50%) replacement of finely ground corn by dried citrus pulp. A repeated 4x4 Latin Square design was used. Dry matter intake, milk yield and composition and plasma glucose were not affected (P>0,05) by treatments. Milk urea nitrogen was raised by yeast culture supplementation (P<0,05). Plasma urea nitrogen was reduced by feeding citrus pulp in partial replacement of corn (P<0,05). The partial replacement of finely ground corn by dried citrus pulp did not affect the cows performance with 19 kg/d milk yield. Experiment 2: Twenty eight lactating Holstein cows (230 DIM) were used to evaluate the effects on performance of varying contents of starch in the ration. Starch contents was varied by replacing fine ground corn by dried citrus pulp. Treatments were: 15% (AM15), 20% (AM20), 25% (AM25) e 30% of starch (AM30) in the ration dry matter. A repeated 4x4 Latin Square design was used. Milk yield was 27,94; 29,17; 31,11 e 29,64 kg/d for treatments AM15, AM20, AM25 and AM30, respectively, with cubic effect (P<0,05). Milk fat, protein, lactose and total solids yield were affected cubically (P<0,05). Linear effects were detected for protein, total solids and milk urea nitrogen contents (P<0,05). Milk fat contents, plasma urea nitrogen and glucose were not affected by treatments (P>0.05). Cows producing about 30 kg/d got better performance when fed with rations 25% starch contents. Did not have advantage by supplying 30% starch contents rations. Trial 3: Thirty two mid lactating Holstein cows (160 DIM) were used to study the effects on performance of corn grain grinding (coarse or fine) and its combination with dried citrus pulp or soy hulls. A repeated 4x4 Latin Square design was used. The treatments were: fine ground corn + citrus pulp (MFPC), coarse ground corn + citrus pulp (MGPC), fine ground corn + soy hulls (MFCS), coarse ground corn + soy hulls (MGCS). Treatments did not affect DMI, milk yield, milk fat, protein and lactose contents, plasma urea N and glucose (P>0.05). The interaction corn grain grinding and byproduct source was significative for fat corrected milk, fat and total solids yield (P<0,05). Corn grain grinding and byproduct variety did not affect the cows performance with 24 kg/d milk yield.

An experiment involving three feeding trials was conducted to study the effect of substituting chopped wheat straw for alfalfa in diets for lactating dairy cows. The results of these trials have shown that in complete mixed diets or diets containing long alfalfa hay, replacement of half of the alfalfa in rations containing 45% roughage for lactating dairy cows with chopped wheat straw does not adversely affect DM intake or milk yield and increase milk fat percentage. Replacing half of the long alfalfa with chopped alfalfa also apparently improved lactational performance although not as dramatically as that of chopped straw. Ammoniation of wheat straw did not improve the performance response by lactating cows. Inclusion of chopped straw in the diets seemed to enhance the efficiency of milk production. Higher ruminal acetate:propionate ratios and increased digestibility of ether extract resulted from feeding straw. Digestibility of other nutrients were generally either not affected or were depressed by straw feeding. Increasing the chopped wheat straw level to 75% of the roughage resulted in lower DM intake and milk yield and negative body weight gains but higher milk fat levels. It did not appear that maintenance of constant ADF level in a dairy ration regardless of roughage level was the solution to the maintenance of milk fat levels. Thus it has been indicated that under the conditions of this experiment a combination of chopped alfalfa and wheat straw can be used successfully in complete mixed rations for high producing dairy cows. For the most part all productive parameters measured were improved by the addition of straw and by the feeding of complete mixed diets. This was especially true for milk fat which, from a dairyman's viewpoint, is very important because of its impact on milk pricing. It would also have a direct bearing on management by reducing labor costs through elimination of labor intensive handling of long alfalfa. Mechanical handling of complete mixed rations is relatively easier and cheaper.

Das allgemeine Ziel der vorliegenden Doktorarbeit war es, den Zusammenhang von Fressverhalten, Futteraufnahme, Milchproduktion und Stoffwechselkrankheiten bei Milchkühen in der Frühlaktation zu untersuchen. Dafür wurden Daten von 70 laktierenden Deutschen Holstein-Friesischen Milchkühen (1. -7. Laktation) gesammelt. Das Fressverhalten wurde mittels eines elektronischen Fütterungssystems überwacht, welches die elektronische Kennung jeder einzelnen Kuh beinhaltete. Während der ersten Studie dieser Arbeit basierte die Analyse des Fressverhaltens der Milchkühe auf jedem Einzelbesuch; dabei war ein Besuch als die Zeit definiert, in der eine einzelne Kuh mit ihrem Kopf im Trog verweilte, unabhängig davon, wie die Kuh diese Zeit verbrachte. Während der zweiten und dritten Studie wurden die Besuche in Mahlzeiten unterteilt, die auf einem Mahlzeitenkriterium basieren, welches wie folgt berechnet wurde: Eine Mischung aus zwei normalen Verteilungen wurde an die Verteilungen der Intervallängen zwischen den Besuchen, die mittels des natürlichen Logarithmuses umgerechnet wurden waren, angepasst. Innerhalb dieser Studien wurde der Einfluss der Laktation, des Laktationsstatus und des Milchleistungsniveaus auf das Fressverhalten und die Futteraufnahme untersucht. Die letzte Studie bestimmte die Auswirkungen von Stoffwechselkrankheiten auf das Fressverhalten, die Futteraufnahme und die Milchproduktion. Die Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Mahlzeit die wichtigere Einheit als der Einzelbesuch ist, um das Fressverhalten zu beschreiben. Laktationsnummer, Laktationsstatus und Milchleistungsniveau waren entscheidend für die Charakteristika des Fressverhaltens und die Futteraufnahme. Die höher Korrelation zwischen Fressverhalten, z.B. Dauer und Umfang einer Mahlzeit, verweisen darauf, dass das Messen der Fresszeit für das Berechnen der Futteraufnahme genutzt werden kann. Stoffwechselkrankheiten hatten einen entscheidenen Einfluss auf das Fressverhalten, die Futteraufnahme und die Milchproduktion. Die Beobachtung der Charakteristika des Fressverhaltens könnte bei der Früherkennung des bei Kühen bestehenden erhöhten Risikos an Stoffwechselstörungen hilfreich sein.
The overall objective of this PhD thesis was to investigate the relationships between feeding behaviour, feed intake, milk production, and metabolic-related production diseases of dairy cows during early lactation. Data from 70 lactating German Holstein Friesian dairy cows (parity 1 to 7) were collected. The feeding behaviour monitoring was conducted by using an electronic feeding system, which was equipped with an electronic identification of each individual cow. In the first study of this dissertation, the feeding behaviour of dairy cows was analysed based on the individual visits, with a visit being defined as the time spent by an individual cow with her head in one of the troughs regardless of how the cow spent that time. In the second and third studies, the visits were clustered in meals based on a “meal criterion”, which was calculated by fitting a mixture of two normal distributions to the distributions of the natural logarithm (LN)-transformed lengths of the interval between visits. In these studies, the effects of parity, stage of lactation, and milk yield level on feeding behaviour and feed intake were investigated. The final study determined the effects of metabolic-related production diseases on feeding behaviour, feed intake, and milk production. The results suggested that the meal is the more relevant unit than the individual visit for describing feeding behaviour. Parity, stage of lactation, and milk yield level had significant effects on feeding behaviour characteristics and feed intake. The high correlation between feeding behaviour such as meal duration and feed intake (meal size) suggests that measuring the time spent eating could be used to estimate the feed intake. Metabolic-related production diseases had significant effects on feeding behaviour, feed intake, and milk production. The monitoring of feeding behaviour characteristics might be helpful to detect the cows’ risk for metabolic-related production diseases at an early stage.

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Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da suplementação de monensina (MON), probióticos ou óleos essenciais sobre o desempenho e índice de escore fecal (IEF) dos bezerros leiteiros de 6-60 d de idade e seu efeito residual 15 dias após o desmame. Cinqüenta bezerros da raça Holandesa foram alimentados com 5 L de leite cru por dia mais concentrado inicial até o desmame. Os tratamentos foram: Controle (CON), adição de MON (30 mg / kg de concentrado), probiótico E. faecium (PROB, 70 mg / kg de concentrado, CFU / kg 7,0E + 09, Cylactin®), óleos essenciais (OE, 300 mg / kg de concentrado, CRINA® Ruminants), ou adição de PROB + OE (EOPROB). O consumo do alimento e o escore fecal (pontuado de 1 a 4) foram medidos diariamente e os animais foram pesados a cada 15 dias. Foi realizada a extração de DNA das fezes, para identificar por meio da PCR a presença ou ausência de microorganismos (E. coli, Hafnia, Shiguella, Lactobacillus spp, Enterococcus spp e Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415). Dois ensaios de digestibilidade de 72 h foram realizados nos dias 20-28 (período 1) e 50-56 (período 2), por coleta fecal total. O experimento foi definido em blocos inteiramente casualizados com dez repetições por tratamento e data de entrada usada como bloco. A ANOVA foi realizada para testar os efeitos do tratamento em P < 0,10, as medias foram comparadas pelo teste t de Student e os resultados da PCR foram analisados pelo teste de Wald. O consumo de matéria seca (CMS) antes do desmame foi maior (P < 0,05) para OE (903,03 g / d) em comparação com MON (794,34 g / d) e EOPROB (783,12 g / d). Animais OE e MON diminuíram (P < 0,012) o IEF durante o aleitamento. O ganho médio diário (GMD) e a eficiência alimentar (EA) não diferiu (P > 0,10) entre os tratamentos antes do desmame. A altura à cernelha (AC) e altura à garupa (AG) não foi diferente entre os tratamentos (P > 0,10) antes nem depois do desaleitamento. Após o desmame, o CMS e IEF não diferiu entre os tratamentos (P > 0,10). OE apresentou maior GMD (917,50 g / d) (P < 0,05) em comparação com CON (615,80 g / d) e PROB (592,60 g / d). A EA melhorou (P < 0,05) com OE (0,72 g / g) sobre o CON (0,36 g / g), MON (0,49 g / g) e PROB (0,36 g / g). Os resultados de PCR mostraram ausência do E. faecium NCIMB 10415 em animais PROB e COM. Durante os ensaios de digestibilidade, houve maior consumo (P < 0,001) de nutrientes nos dias 50-56 em comparação com os dias 20-28. Animais PROB apresentaram maiores (P < 0,05) consumo de MS (1184,56 g / d), proteína bruta (PC) (254,63 g / d) e fibra detergente neutra (FDN) (320,36 g / d) comparado com EOPROB. A ingestão de carboidratos no fibrosos (CNF) foi maior (P < 0,05) no tratamento OE (384,31 g / d) comparado com CON (323,63 g / d), MON (323,84 g / d) e EOPROB (301,30 g / d). A ingestão de extrato etéreo (EE) e matéria orgânica (MO) não foi afetada (P > 0,10) pelos tratamentos. A digestibilidade da FDN foi maior (P < 0,012) em animais alimentados com MON (924 g / d). Em conclusão, OE pode ser adicionado à ração de bezerros leiteiros para melhorar o escore fecal, aumenta o CMS e melhora a digestibilidade dos nutrientes. O IEF no pré-desmame diminuiu com MON e aumentou com PROB
We aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with monensin (MON), probiotics or essential oils on performance and fecal consistency index (FCI) of suckling dairy calves from 6-60 d of age, and its residual effect 15 d after weaning. Fifty Holstein calves were fed 5 L of raw milk per day plus starter concentrate until weaning. The treatments were: Control (CON), adition of MON (30 mg/kg of starter), probiotic E. faecium (PROB, 70 mg/kg of starter, CFU/kg 7,0E+09, Cylactin ® ), essential oils (EO, 300 mg/kg of starter, CRINA ® Ruminants), or addition of PROB +EO (EOPROB). DMI and fecal score (scored from 1 to 4) were daily measured, and animals were weighed every 15 d. DNA extraction from feces was performed, to identifying by PCR the presence or absence of microorganisms ( E. coli, Hafnia, Shiguella, Lactobacillus spp, Enterococcus spp, and Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415) in the feces. Two 72 h digestibility trials were performed at days 20-28 (period 1) and 50-56 (period 2), by total fecal collection. The experiment was designed in completely randomized block with ten replications per treatment, and date of entrance used as block. ANOVA was performed to test treatment effects at P < 0.10, means were compared by Student's t-test, and PCR results were analyzed by Wald test. The dry matter intake (DMI) before weaning was greater (P < 0.05) for EO (903.03 g / d) compared to MON (794.34 g / d) and EOPROB (783.12 g / d). EO and MON decreased (P < 0.012) FCI during pré-weaning. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed efficiency (FE) did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10) before weaning. The withers height (WH) and croup height (CH) was no different among treatments after or before weaning. After weaning the DMI and FCI did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). EO had greater (P < 0.05) ADG (917.50 g / d) compared to CON (615.80 g/d) and PROB (592.60 g / d). The FE improved (P < 0.05) with EO (0.72 g / g) over CON (0.36 g / g), MON (0.49 g / g) and PROB (0.36 g / g). The PCR results showed absence of E. faecium NCIMB 10415 in animals fed PROB and CON. During the digestibility trials, greater intakes (P < 0.001) of nutrients were observed at days 50-56 compared to 20-28 days. Animals fed PROB had greater (P < 0.05) intakes of DM (1184.56 g / d), crude protein (CP) (254.63 g /d) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (320.36 g / d) than animals fed EOPROB . Intake of Non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) were greater (P < 0.05) in EO (384.31 g / d) compared to CON (323.63 g / d), MON (323.84 g / d) and EOPROB (301.30 g / d). The ether extract (EE) and organic matter (OM) intake was not affected (P > 0.10) by treatments. NDF digestibility was greater (P < 0.012) in animals fed MON (924 g / d). In conclusion, EO can be added to the dairy calf ration to improve fecal score, increases DMI and improves nutrient digestibility. The pre-weaning FCI decreased with MON and increased with PROB

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to determine whether the quality of lucerne hay could be improved by artificial drying in a forced air bulk dryer (FABD) in comparison to lucerne hay produced by natural drying in the field. Lucerne fields were divided into four blocks of equal size and blocks were randomly assigned to each of the two treatments (natural or artificial drying). Lucerne was harvested at an early to mid flowering stage on six occasions. In two blocks, cut lucerne was left in the field to dry. Material in the remaining two blocks were left in the field for an initial drying period of no longer than 24 hours, after which it was transferred to a FABD. Samples oflucerne were taken at the time of harvest and then at regular intervals (on average 0, 4, 8,22,26,29,47,50,53, 56, 58,69, 72, 76 and 80 hours after cutting) in the field and in the FABD until the material was dry enough for baling (ca. 15-18% moisture). Collected lucerne samples were dried in a forced draught oven until constant mass to determine moisture content. The rate of moisture loss was compared. Samples of the lucerne hay in the field and in the FABD were taken after baling to determine forage quality by means of chemical analysis. Samples were analysed for crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), digestible organic matter (DOM), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content. Good weather conditions for natural drying during the trial period resulted in lucerne hay of similar chemical composition. Naturally dried lucerne hay had CP, ADF and NDF contents of 17.3, 41.2 and 48.0%, respectively, while values for artificially dried lucerne were 17.6, 40.6 and 47.3%. It was concluded that artificial drying of lucerne does probably not produce lucerne of a better quality than field drying under good weather conditions. In the following trials eight ruminally cannulated cows (four Jerseys and four Holsteins) were used to compare protein and fibre degradability of lucerne harvested at different stages of maturity (ie. 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth), and of different lucerne products (ie. lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and 8% leaves added to hay), dried in a forced air bulk dryer. All cows received a total mixed lactation diet for the duration of the trial period. The first in situ rumen degradability trial was conducted with lucerne harvested at three stages of maturity namely after 4,5 and 6 weeks' regrowth. Bags were incubated in the rumen for time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Samples were analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) content. The effective DM, protein and NDF degradabilities of lucerne hay did not differ (P>0.05) between Holstein and Jersey cows. In Holsteins, DM degradability values calculated at an outflow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 63.1, 57.1 and 55.0%, respectively. Values of 64.6, 58.6 and 55.7% were obtained in Jerseys. CP degradability values for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 81.7, 77.2 and 77.6% in Holsteins and 81.3, 78.2 and 79.4% in Jerseys. NDF degradability values for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 35.8, 45.5 and 23.2% respectively in Holsteins and 35.1, 45.9 and 24.8% in Jerseys. Analysis of the effective DM, protein and NDF degradabilities across breeds indicated differences between lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth. Rumen degradability of DM and protein was the highest for lucerne harvested after 4 weeks' regrowth. DM degradability values oflucerne harvested after 4,5 and 6 weeks' regrowth calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h were 63.9, 57.9, 55.4%, respectively, while protein degradability values were 81.5, 77.7 and 78.5%. The lowest ruminal NDF degradability values were found for lucerne harvested after 6 weeks' regrowth. Values for NDF degradability calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne harvested after 4, 5 and 6 weeks' regrowth were 35.5, 45.7 and 23.7%, respectively. These results indicated that lucerne quality decreased in terms of DM, protein and NDF degradability as the plants mature. The second in situ rumen degradability trial was conducted with three different lucerne components dried in a forced air bulk dryer, namely lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and lucerne hay + 8% leaves. The procedure followed was the same as in the first in situ trial. Dacron bags, containing samples of the lucerne components were incubated in the rumen for time intervals of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16,24,48 and 72 hours. Samples were also analysed for DM, CP and NDF content and compared both between breeds and across breeds. DM and protein degradability values (rate and effective degradability) of the artificially dried lucerne hay were higher in Jerseys than in Holsteins. DM degradability values calculated for Holsteins at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne hay, lucerne leaves and lucerne hay + 8% leaves were 57.6, 66.5 and 61.4%, respectively, while protein degradability values of 76.9, 75.5 and 77.9% were obtained. DM degradability values calculated for Jerseys were 62.9, 69.1 and 61.7%, respectively, while protein degradability values of 82.4, 77.6 and 78.5% were obtained. Analysis of the mean disappearance values across breeds indicated that protein degradability of lucerne hay in the rumen was higher than that of lucerne leaves. Protein degradability values calculated at a flow rate of 0.05/h for lucerne hay and lucerne leaves were 80.1 and 76.5% respectively. The NDF degradability of lucerne hay was, however, lower than what it was for lucerne leaves (24.6 vs. 29.7%).
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Studies omtrent die voedingswaarde van lusern vir melkkoeie. 'n Eksperiment is uitgevoer om te bepaal of die kwaliteit van lusernhooi verbeter kan word deur gebruik te maak van kunsmatige droging in plaas van die tradisionele landdroging. Lusernlande is in vier blokke verdeel en blokke is ewekansig aan elk van die twee behandelings (kunsmatige en landdroging) toegeken. Gesnyde materiaal in twee van die blokke is op die land gelaat vir die duur van die drogingsproses. Die materiaal in die oorblywende twee blokke is op die land gelaat vir 'n aanvanklike drogingsperiode van maksimum 24 uur, waarna dit in 'n massa-droogoond geplaas is. Lusernmonsters is net na sny op die land geneem en daarna met gereelde (gemiddeld 4,8,22,26,29,47,50, 53, 56, 58, 69, 72, 76 en 80 uur na sny) intervalle op die land en in die droër totdat die materiaal droog genoeg was om te baal. Lusernmonsters is in 'n droogoond gedroog totdat 'n konstante massa bereik is vir die bepaling van die voginhoud van die materiaal. Die tempo van vogverlies van die materiaal in die massadroër en op die land is bepaal. Monsters van die lusernhooi wat op die land en in die oond gedroog is, is na baal geneem en die chemiese samestelling van die lusernhooi is bepaal. Monsters is ontleed vir ruprotein- (RP), totale verteerbare voedingstof- (TVV), verteerbare organiese materiaal- (VOM), suur bestande vesel (SBV) en neutraal bestande vesel (NBV)-inhoud. Weersomstandighede was ideaal vir natuurlike droging van lusern en dit het aanleiding gegee daartoe dat die chemiese samestelling van die kunsmatig- en natuurlik gedroogde lusernhooi nie veel verskil het nie. Die RP, ADF en NDF inhoud van natuurlik gedroogde lusernhooi was 17.3,41.2 en 48.0% terwyl waardes van 17.6,40.6 en 47.3% vir kunsmatig gedroogde lusernhooi verkry is. Daar is bevind dat die kunsmatige droging van lusern nie 'n hoër kwaliteit hooi lewer as wat verkry kan word tydens landdroging wanneer weersomstandighede gunstig is nie. Hierna is twee degradeerbaarheidstudies gedoen. Agt koeie (vier Holsteins en vier Jerseys) met rumenkannulas, is gebruik om die proteïen- en veseldegradeerbaarheid van verskillende lusernkomponente te vergelyk. Lusern op verskillende groeistadia gesny, asook verskillende lusernprodukte wat kunsmatig gedroog is, is vergelyk. Al die koeie het gedurende die proeftydperk 'n hoë-konsentraat laktasierantsoen ontvang. Die eerste in situ degradeerbaarheidstudie is gedoen met lusern wat na 4-, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is. Sakkies met lusernmonsters is in die rumen geplaas vir 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24,48 en 72 uur onderskeidelik. Monsters is na inkubasie in die rumen vir die DM-, RPen NBV -inhoud daarvan ontleed. Daar is bevind dat die DM-, proteïen en NBV degradeerbaarhede van lusernhooi nie verskil het (P.0>05) tussen Holstein- en Jerseykoeie nie. DM degradeerbaarhede wat by 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h in Holsteinkoeie bereken is vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 63.1, 57.1 en 55.0%. Die waardes wat vir Jerseys bereken is, was onderskeidelik 64.6,58.6 en 55.7%. Vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was RP degradeerbaarhede 81.7, 77.2 en 77.6%, onderskeidelik, vir Holsteinkoeie en 81.3, 78.2 en 79.4%, onderskeidelik, vir Jerseys. NDFdegradeerbaarhede vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was 35.8,45.5 en 23.2%, onderskeidelik, vir Holsteins en 35.1, 45.9 en 24.8%, onderskeidelik, vir Jerseys. 'n Vergelyking van die DM-, proteïen- en NBV-degradeerbaarhede wat gedoen is met die saamgevoegde data van al die diere, het daarop gedui dat verskille bestaan tussen die lusern wat na 4-, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is. Die lusern wat na 4 weke hergroei gesny is, het die hoogste DM- en proteïendegradeerbaarheid in die rumen getoon. DMdegradeerbaarhede wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloei tempo van 0.05/h vir lusern wat na 4, 5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 63.9,57.9 en 55.4% en proteindegradeerbaarhede was 81.5, 77.5 en 78.5%. Lusern wat na 6 weke hergroei gesny is het die laagste NDF-degradeerbaarheid gehad. Waardes wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h vir lusern wat na 4-,5- en 6 weke hergroei gesny is, was onderskeidelik 35.5, 45.7 en 23.7%. Hierdie resultate dui daarop dat die kwaliteit van lusern afneem in terme van DM-, protein- en NBV-degradeerbaarhede namate die plante meer volwasse raak. Die tweede rumendegradeerbaarheidstudie is gedoen met 3 lusernprodukte wat in 'n massadroër gedroog is nl. lusernhooi, lusernblare en lusernhooi waarby 8% lusernblare gevoeg is. Dieselfde proefprosedure as tydens die eerste degradeerbaarheidstudie is gevolg. Sakkies met lusernmonsters, is in die rumen geplaas vir 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 en 72 uur. Monsters is ontleed vir DM-, proteïen- en NBV inhoud. Daar is gevind dat die proteïen degradeerbaarheid (tempo en effektiewe degradeerbaarheid) van kunsmatig gedroogde lusernhooi, hoër was by Jerseys as by Holsteins. DM degradeerbaarhede wat in Holsteinkoeie teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h bereken is vir lusernhooi, lusernblare en lusernhooi + 8% blare, was 57.6, 66.5 en 61.4%, onderskeidelik, terwyl proteïen degradeerbaarhede 76.9, 75.5 en 77.9%, onderskeidelik, was. Vir Jerseys is DM-degradeerbaarhede van 62.9,69.1 en 61.7%, onderskeidlik, bereken terwyl proteïendegradeerbaarhede 82.4, 77.6 en 78.5% was. Gemiddelde verdwyningswaardes, wat bereken is deur data van al die diere saam te gebruik, dui daarop dat die proteïen degradeerbaarheid van lusernhooi in die rumen hoër was as in die geval van lusernblare. Die proteïen degradeerbaarhede wat bereken is teen 'n deurvloeitempo van 0.05/h, was 80.1 en 76.5%, onderskeidelik, vir lusernhooi en lusernblare. Die NBV -degradeerbaarheid van lusernhooi was egter laer as vir lusernblare (24.6 vs. 29.7%).

The aim of this study was to maximize good quality grass silage utilization either by supplying a source of rumen undegradable protein or by a reduction of the concentrate in the diet. A randomized incomplete block design was used to evaluate feed intake, milk production and health incidence occurring in fifty-nine Holstein dairy cow (11 primiparous) distributed randomly to receive three different diets between wk 4 and 24 of lactation. The diets were composed of grass silage (predominance of timothy) offered ad libitum supplemented either with a mixture of cereal grains (wheat:barley 50:50) at 100% of recommendations plus soybean meal (Trt 1), or fish meal (Trt 2), or with cereal grains at 75% of recommendations plus fish meal (Trt 3). The grass silage was harvested at an approximate chop length of 8--10 cm, averaged 37.1% DM and was stored in heap silos.
Finally, an economic evaluation of the treatments was done using milk income, feed cost, health cost, and net income. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Feed represents a large portion of input costs for dairy operations. Decreasing the feed consumed, measured here as dry matter intake (DMI), would therefore be advantageous to producers. However, this decrease could result in cows that do not supply the necessary energy to maintain high production, growth, and reproduction. Measures of feed efficiency try to capture important energy expenditures to ensure that cows consume less while maintaining production. Feed efficiency in this study is measured in residual feed intake (RFI), which is calculated as the difference between DMI and expected DMI based on production and growth measures. However, the RFI model does not capture the energy stores required for reproduction; therefore, selection for RFI may lead to reduced reproductive performance. In this thesis, I explored the phenotypic and genetic relationships between RFI, DMI, and reproductive performance as measured by number of services (NS), days open (DO), and days to first calving (DFC). First, ANOVA tests and phenotypic correlations determined the phenotypic relationship between the traits. Then, heritability and genetic correlations were used to estimate the genetic parameters. Phenotypically, results indicated mixed relationships between traits. Heritability estimates were low for reproductive traits and moderate for DMI and RFI. There was no unfavorable genetic relationship between DMI or RFI with any of the reproductive traits. Therefore, neither selection for DMI nor RFI will unfavorably impact reproduction.
Master of Science

A series of experiments were conducted to measure the mode of action by which fishmeal exerts its effect on milk composition of dairy cows. Production Study One measured the effect of increased fishmeal intake on milk production and milk composition in dairy cattle. Milk fat percentage and yield were decreased by increased fishmeal intake. This decrease was not associated with changes in ruminal fermentation patterns. Plasma long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased with increased fishmeal intake. Mammary slices from lactating bovine mammary gland were incubated with eicosapentaenoic acid. Changes in ¹⁴C-acetate metabolism were measured. Acetate oxidation and incorporation into milk lipid were not changed by eicosapentaenoic acid. However, tissue from mammary gland of cows milked 6 to 8 h prior to slaughter had 2 fold higher activity than tissue milked 1 h before slaughter. Disappearance of dry matter, crude protein, and lipid in fish meal from undegradable bags in the rumen was measured. Dry matter and crude protein degradation of fish meal were similar to published values. Lipid escaped rapidly with greater than 70% removed by 8 h. A subsequent fish oil infusion study revealed that intraruminal fish oil treatment did not significantly alter ruminal fermentation, or change fatty acid profiles in duodenal digesta, plasma, or milk. Duodenal infusion increased plasma concentrations of n-3 fatty acids but did not affect milk lipid fatty acid composition. A second production study compared the effects of fish meal versus fish oil on milk production and composition, and changes in fatty acids in plasma and milk. Fish meal significantly increased plasma n-3 fatty acids compared to the fish oil treatment. Residual fatty acids contained in fish meal seemed to be protected from rumen degradation and probably remained intact for digestion and absorption since plasma n-3 fatty acid concentrations increased. No changes in milk yield or composition were due to the experimental treatments. Fat in fish meal and fish oil source differed significantly in their ability to alter milk composition and plasma fatty acid profiles.
Ph. D.

Two production trials were conducted for 84 d each. The first with 22 Holstein cows in late lactation. The second with 46 Holstein cows in early lactation. Treatments were C (control) and AO (A. oryzae 3g/d). Diets were for production trial 1 a 1:1 forage: concentrate ratio; for trial 2 was 2:3. Milk production in trial 1 was higher (P > .05) in AO fed cows during the first weeks of the trial. In trial two AO cows consistently produced more milk (P < .03). Rectal temperatures during hot weather (over 35°C) were consistently lower in AO fed cows, though not significant (P > .10). Two digestibility trials followed the production trials. For all digestion trials, Cr₂O₃ was used as digesta marker. In trial one AO tended to increase digestibility of DM (P > .10). In trial two digestibilities of DM, NDF and ADF were higher in AO fed cows (P < .05). Three other trials were conducted with mature Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae. The first trial tested two levels of forage (1:2 vs 2:1; forage to concentrate) and C vs AO in a 4x4 latin square design. AO increased (P < .05) ADF digestibility in the high concentrate died. No change (P > .10) in rumen pH, concentrations and proportions of VFA, and ammonia concentrations resulted from AO treatments. In the second trial C, AO and SC (Saccharomyces cerevesiae 3 g/d) were compared in a repeated 3x3 latin square design. A 1:2 forage to concentrate diet was fed to six lactating cows. Both AO and SC increased (P < .05) rumen NDF digestibility. The third trial compared C vs AO in a swithchback design with four lactating cows fed a 2:3 forage to concentrate diet. AO increased (P < .05) rumen fiber digestion. AO did not affect rates of passage of corn or alfalfa hay; or the potentially digestible DM of milo, alfalfa hay or wheat straw. AO did increase (P < .05) digestion rate of alfalfa DM. In vitro AO increased DM digestibility. That effect can be reproduced by incorporation of the additive at the time of inoculation.

Transition dairy cows are vulnerable to negative consequences of depressed feed intake due to a transient state of negative energy balance that predisposes them to disease after calving. Competition has been identified as one factor that can decrease feeding activity in mid-lactation cows, but the effects of competition on the transition cow are less well understood. The objective of this study was to test the effect of a competition on the behaviour and feed intake of transition cows. Standing behaviour, feeding behaviour and dry matter intake (DMI) was monitored from 1 wk before to 2 wk after calving for 110 Holstein dairy cows. Social behaviour was recorded in the week before calving. Cows were assigned to a competitive (2:1 cows:bin) or non-competitive (1:1 cow:bin) treatment at the start of the study. Treatment groups were balanced for parity and baseline feeding data, resulting in 8 primiparous and 10 multiparous cows per treatment. Competition dramatically increased the number of agonistic behaviours between cows at the feeder. Primiparous cows showed no change in either feeding or standing behaviour when fed in a competitive environment; however, they increased their total meal duration and within-meal intervals in the wk -1 before and wk +1 after calving. In wk -1 before calving, competitively fed multiparous cows increased the frequency of visits to the feeder but consumed less feed at each visit, resulting in decreased daily DMI. Throughout the experiment, multiparous cows fed competitively spent less time eating at each visit and ate at a faster rate, particularly during the 2 wk after calving. Multiparous cows on the competitive treatment also increased the time they spent standing (without eating) compared to cows on the non-competitive treatment. Feeding rate was negatively correlated with social status in multiparous cows. In summary, the results of this study indicate that restricting access to the feeder increases agonistic behaviours regardless of parity, and cows of different parity and social status respond differently in terms of feeding and standing behaviour.

Thirty multiparous Holstein and twelve multiparous Jersey cows were used to determine the effect of diets (3x2 factorial) containing 0,1,2 kg of fish meal (FM) and energy levels of 70 and 75% TDN on milk production and composition. Basal diets contained 83% corn silage and 10.3% concentrate for the 70% TDN ration and 60% corn silage, 10.3% concentrate and 24.5% high moisture corn for the 75% rations. High moisture corn in the higher TDN diets decreased both acid and neutral detergent fiber, and increased dry matter content. Nitrogen degradability was lower in the higher TDN rations and decreased with increasing fishmeal levels. Dry matter degradability tended to be similar for all diets. Milk and FCM production was similar for all diets. Milk fat percentage was similar for TDN levels but decreased as fishmeal level increased. Milk protein percentage increased with 75% TDN but was not affected by fishmeal. Kilograms of milk protein produced followed a trend similar to milk protein percentage. Dry matter intake was higher with higher TDN diets, but tended to be lower during the first 4 weeks of the study with increasing levels of fishmeal. Bodyweight fluctuated during the experiment and followed a pattern similar to dry matter intake. Blood plasma urea concentration was similar for all diets.
Master of Science

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dry matter (DM) production and chemical composition of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa) were determined according to fresh material harvested at weekly intervals. From 75 to 166 days after planting whole plants of faba beans and oats were harvested at a height of ca. 10 cm above the ground on five randomly selected areas of 0.25 m² each. The freshly harvested material was weighed “as is” and ovendried to determine the DM content of each sample. The fresh and DM forage production per hectare was then calculated. The crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), fat (EE), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were determined according to standard laboratory techniques. The change in chemical composition of fresh whole crop material was regressed on days after planting using simple linear regressions. The fresh and DM production of whole crop faba beans and oats increased with advancing growth stage. During the 2002 production year fresh yield production of both whole crop faba beans and oats peaked at 131 days (44.7±6.9 and 28.4±7.1 ton/ha respectively). DM yield peaked at 159 and 152 days for whole crop faba beans and oats being 9.4±1.3 and 8.8±0.7 tons DM/ha respectively. The chemical composition of both forage crops decreased with advancing growth stage. The CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 25.3% at 82 days after planting to 18.4 % at 166 days after planting in the 2002 production year, while during the 2003 production year the CP content of whole crop faba beans decreased (P<0.05) from 28.2 to 19.5 % from 75 to 159 days after planting. During 2002 the CF % of faba beans increased from 20.2 to 22.6%, while during 2003 CF % similarly increased from 21.8 to 26.5%. The CF % for oats during 2003 increased from 25.6 to 36.9%. During the same time the EE, Ca and P contents also decreased (P<0.05), while the NDF, CF and ADF contents increased (P<0.05). Two milk production studies were conducted to compare the feed intake, milk yield and milk composition of Holstein cows receiving either whole plant faba bean silage or oats as a hay or silage. Faba bean (Vicia faba) silage (FBS) was compared to that of cows receiving either oat (Avena sativa) hay (OH) or oat silage (OS) and in a 50:50 combination with FBS. Faba beans (cv. Ascot) and oats (cv. Sederberg) were planted on a Glenrosa soil. Whole crop faba beans were ensiled 145 days after planting in an above ground concrete bunker using a commercial bacterial inoculant after being wilted for one day. In the first experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, OH or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OH as forage, together with a concentrate, were fed to three groups of seven lactating Holstein cows each. The experiment was conducted according to a randomized block design. Cows were on average 112±44 days post calving producing 24.0±6.2 kg milk/day. Milk production parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher (P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in lactating dairy cow diets. In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets. The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature. For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting. Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and 159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05) among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159 days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans, parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed different forages were compared by analysis of variance. The DM intake and milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OH as forages did not differ (P>0.05), milk yields being 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 and 20.5±1.4 kg/cow/day respectively. With the exception of MUN, milk composition parameters did not differ among treatments (P>0.10). Cows fed OH as roughage source had a higher (P=0.06) MUN level in the milk. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OH in lactating dairy cow diets. In the second experiment, total mixed rations (TMR) containing FBS, oat silage (OS) or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS as forages, together with a concentrate, were fed to six Holstein cows according to a double 3 x 3 Latin Square cross-over experimental design. Each cow received 13 kg DM either FBS, OS or a 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS were fed as forages, together with three different concentrates at nine kg “as is” each, to each cow. Cows were on average 108±30 days post calving producing 22.0±2.0 kg milk/day. DM intake, body weight, milk yield and milk composition parameters of cows receiving diets containing different forages were compared statistically. The DM intake and body weight of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OH or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), although body weight changes differed significantly (P<0.10), i.e. 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 and -6.0±3.2 kg respectively. The milk yield of cows receiving TMR’s containing FBS, OS or a mixture of 50:50 FBS and OS as forages did not differ (P>0.10), milk yields being 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 and 21.9±0.4 kg/cow/day respectively. Of the milk composition parameters, the milk CP(%) of cows fed TMR’s containing FBS differed (P<0.05) from the cows fed the 50:50 mixture of FBS and OS, as well as cows fed the OS, being 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 and 2.96±0.02% respectively. Results from this study indicate that FBS could effectively replace OS in lactating dairy cow diets. The South African database on in situ protein and fiber degradability values for whole crop faba beans and oats is limited. The chemical composition of whole crop faba beans and oats constantly change as plants mature. For optimal stage of ensiling and feed formulation it would be useful to have CP, NDF and ADF degradability values available for whole crop faba beans and oats harvested at different growth stages. The objective of this study was to determine the ruminal nutrient degradabilities of whole crop faba beans (Vicia faba) and oats (Avena sativa). Whole crop faba beans and oats were cut at weekly intervals from 75 to 159 days after planting. Effective DM, CP, NDF and ADF degradability values of faba beans and oats harvested at 117, 131, 145 and 159 days after planting were determined by using the in situ nylon bag technique. Three non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal fistulae were used. Plant material put into Dacron bags was incubated in the rumen for 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The degradability of DM, CP, NDF and ADF fractions of whole plant faba beans and oats in four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) did not differ (P<0.05) among cows. The degradability of different fractions for both roughages were affected (P<0.05) by growth stage and incubation hours. DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance of whole crop faba beans and oats at 117 and 159 days after planting differed (P<0.05) at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of incubation time. The DM, CP, NDF and ADF disappearance values were fitted to the non-linear model p = a + b (1- e-ct). The effective degradabilities (P) could be calculated using a fractional outflow rate of k = 0.05. For whole crop faba beans, parameter b (potentially degradable fraction) and parameter c (the rate at which b is degraded) all differed v significantly (P<0.05) between four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant maturity for CP, NDF and ADF. In oats, parameter b and parameter c did not differ (P>0.05) between the four different growth stages (117, 131, 145 and 159 days from planting) of plant maturity. Results from this study could make a valuable contribution towards the South African databases on faba bean and oats nutrient values and can be used in dynamic feed formulation. Faba beans cut as fresh crop or silage may in the foreseeable future play an increasingly larger role in the feeding of dairy cattle in the Winter Rainfall Region of South Africa. As in the case of lupin silage, though with much higher protein content, farmers will be able to produce their own quality and high protein roughage. The nutritive properties of faba bean silage holds great promise as a forage in lactating dairy cows.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die droëmateriaal (DM) produksie en chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone (Vicia faba) en hawer (Avena sativa) is bepaal deur vars plantmateriaal op ‘n weeklikse basis te sny. Plantmonsters van beide fababoon en hawerplante is gesny vanaf 75 tot 166 dae na plant op ‘n hoogte van ca. 10 cm bo die grond. Plantmonsters is weekliks gesny op vyf ewekansige persele met ‘n oppervlak van 0.25 m² elk. Die vars gesnyde plantmateriaal is geweeg en daarna ge-oonddroog om die DM inhoud van elke monster te bepaal. Die varsmateriaal en DM opbrengs per hektaar is bereken. Die ruproteïen (RP), ruvesel (RV), neutraal bestande vesel (NBV), suur bestande vesel (SBV), stikstof vrye ekstrak (NVE), eterekstrak (EE), kalsium (Ca) en fosfor (P) inhoud is bepaal volgens standaardlaboratorium metodes. Lineêre regressie is gebruik om die verandering in chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer te kwantifiseer. Vars en DM produksie van heelplant fababone en hawer het toegeneem met toename in groeistadium. Gedurende die 2002 produksiejaar het varsmateriaal opbrengs vir beide fababone en hawer gepiek op 131 dae (44.7±6.9 en 28.4±7.1 ton/ha respektiewelik). Heelplant fababoon en hawer DM opbrengs het gepiek op 159 en 152 dae na plant op 9.4±1.3 en 8.8±0.7 ton DM/ha, respektiewelik. Die chemiese samestelling van beide gewasse het afgeneem met toename in groeistadium. Die RP inhoud van heelplant fababone het verminder (P<0.05) van 25.3% op 82 dae na plant tot 18.4% op 166 dae na plant vir die 2002 produksiejaar, terwyl gedurende die 2003 produksiejaar die RP inhoud verminder (P<0.05) het vanaf 28.2 tot 19.5% vanaf 75 tot 159 dae na plant. Gedurende die 2002 produksiejaar het die ruvesel % van fababone toegeneem vanaf 20.2 tot 22.6%, terwyl gedurende die 2003 produksiejaar het die ruvesel toegeneem vanaf 21.8 tot 26.5%. Die ruvesel % vir heelplant hawer het vir die 2003 produksiejaar toegeneem vanaf 25.6 tot 36.9%. Vir dieselfde tyd, het EE, Ca en P inhoud ook verminder (P<0.05), terwyl NBV, RV en SBV inhoud toegeneem (P<0.05) het. Twee melkproduksiestudies is uitgevoer om die effek van fababoonkuilvoer op voerinname, melkopbrengs en melksamestelling van Holsteinkoeie te bepaal. Fababoonkuilvoer (FBKV) is vergelyk met behulp van koeie wat hawerhooi (HH) of hawerkuilvoer (HKV) en in ‘n 50:50 kombinasie met FBKV as ruvoere ontvang het. Fababone (cv. Ascot) en hawer (cv. Sederberg) is gevestig op ‘n Glenrosa grond. Heelplant fababone is gesny en ingekuil op 145 dae na plant. Gesnyde materiaal is toegelaat om vir ‘n dag te verlep, waarna dit in ‘n bogrondse kuilvoersloot ingekuil is met behulp van ‘n kommersiële bakteriële entstof. In die eerste eksperiment is volvoere met FBKV, HH en ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH as ruvoer, saam met ‘n konsentraat, gevoer aan drie groepe koeie wat bestaan het uit sewe Holsteinkoeie elk. Die eksperiment is uitgevoer volgens ‘n ewekansige blokontwerp. Koeie was gemiddeld 112±44 dae in melk en het 24.0±6.2 kg melk/dag geproduseer. Melkproduksie-veranderlikes van koeie wat diëte ontvang het met verskillende ruvoere is met ‘n variansie-analise vergelyk. Die DM inname en melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende vii FBKV, HH of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HH, het nie betekenisvol verskil (P>0.05) nie. Melkopbrengs was 18.9±1.9, 20.6±1.3 en 20.5±1.4 kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Met die uitsondering van melkureumstikstof (MUN), het melksamestelling-veranderlikes nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil tussen behandelings nie. Koeie wat HH as ruvoer ontvang het, het ‘n hoër (P=0.06) MUN vlak in die melk gehad. Resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HH in lakterende melkkoeidiëte kan vervang. In die tweede eksperiment is volvoere, betsaande uit FBKV, hawerkuilvoer (HKV) of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, saam met ‘n konsentraat aan ses Holsteinkoeie gevoer volgens ‘n dubbel 3 x 3 Latynse Vierkant omskakel proefontwerp. Elke koei het 13 kg DM van FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV ontvang as ruvoere, saam met drie verskillende konsentrate van 9 kg op ‘n natuurlike vogbasis elk. Koeie was gemiddeld 108±30 dae in melk en het 22.0±2.0 kg melk/dag geproduseer. DM inname, liggaamsmassa, melkopbrengs- en melksamestelling- veranderlikes van koeie op verskillende diëte wat verskillende ruvoere ingesluit het, is statisties vergelyk. Die DM inname en liggaamsmassa van koeie op volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV, het nie betekenisvol (P>0.10) verskil nie. Verandering in liggaamsmassa het betekenisvol (P<0.10) verskil, te wete 4.0±3.2, 8.8±3.2 en -6.0±3.2 kg, respektiewelik. Die melkopbrengs van koeie op volvoere bevattende FBKV, HKV of ‘n 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer, het nie verskil (P>0.10) nie. Melkopbrengs was 22.8±0.4, 21.4±0.4 en 21.9±0.4 kg/koei/dag, respektiewelik. Ten opsigte van die melksamestelling-veranderlikes van die koeie op die onderskeie volvoere, was dit slegs melk RP(%) van koeie wat volvoere met FBKV ontvang het, wat betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil het van die koeie wat HKV en die 50:50 mengsel van FBKV en HKV as ruvoer ontvang het. Melk RP(%) was 2.82±0.02, 2.93±0.02 en 2.96±0.02%, respektiewelik. Resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat FBKV effektief HKV in lakterende melkkoei diëte kan vervang. Die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van in situ proteïen- en veseldegradeerbaarheidswaardes vir heelplant fababone en hawer is beperk. Die chemiese samestelling van heelplant fababone en hawer verander gedurig soos plante toeneem in ouderdom en groeistadium. Vir optimale stadium van inkuiling en voerformulering sou dit belangrik wees om DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes van heelplant fababone en hawer ge-oes op verskillende groeistadiums te hê. Die doel van die studie was om die ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes vir heelplant fababone en hawer te bepaal. Effektiewe DM, RP, NBV en SBV degradeerbaarheidswaardes is vir fababone en hawer bepaal vir groeistadiums 117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant deur gebruik te maak van die in situ nylon sakkie tegniek. Drie nie-lakterende Holsteinkoeie elk toegerus met ‘n rumen- kannula is gebruik om ruminale degradeerbaarheidswaardes te bepaal. Plantmateriaal wat in Dacron sakkies afgeweeg is, is in die rumen geplaas vir 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 en 96 ure. Die degradeerbaarheid van DM, RP, NBV en SBV fraksies van heelplant fababone en hawer vir vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant) het nie betekenisvol (P<0.05) tussen koeie verskil nie. Die degradeerbaarheid van verskillende fraksies van beide ruvoere het verskil (P<0.05) tussen groeistadiums en inkubasie-ure. DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyning van heelplant fababone en hawer op 117 en 159 dae na plant het betekenisvol (P<0.05) verskil by 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 en 96 inkubasie-ure. Die DM, RP, NBV en SBV verdwyningswaardes is gepas op ‘n nie-lineêre model p = a + b (1- e-ct). Die effektiewe degradeerbaarheid (P) kon bereken word met ‘n fraksionele uitvloeitempo van k = viii 0.05 vanuit die rumen. Vir heelplant fababone het parameter b (potensieel degradeerbare fraksie) en parameter c (die tempo waarteen b degradeer word) betekenisvol verskil (P<0.05) vir alle groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 en 159 dae na plant) vir degradeerbaarheidswaardes van RP, NBV en SBV. Vir hawer het parameter b en parameter c nie betekenisvol (P>0.05) tussen die vier verskillende groeistadiums (117, 131, 145 and 159 dae na plant) verskil nie. Die resultate van hierdie studie kan ‘n belangrike bydrae maak tot die Suid-Afrikaanse databasis van fababoon en hawer voedingswaardes, en kan aangewend word in dinamiese voerformulering. Die gebruik van varsgesnyde of ingekuilde heeplant fababone kan in die toekoms ‘n al groter rol speel in melkkoeivoeding in die Winterreënstreek van Suid-Afrika. Soos in die geval met lupiene, maar met ‘n hoër proteïen inhoud, sal produsente hul eie kwaliteit en hoë proteïen ruvoer kan verbou. Die voedingswaarde van fababoonkuilvoer hou groot belofte in as ruvoer vir lakterende melkkoeie.

Master of Science
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry
Barry J. Bradford
The transition from gestation to lactation requires numerous physiological and metabolic adaptations in order for the body to maintain relative homeostasis. For the modern dairy cow, the difficulty to meet these challenges is increased many-fold due to the large demand for energy and metabolites placed on the body by the high producing mammary gland. Milk fever or periparturient hypocalcemia can be defined as a failure of the calcium homeostatic mechanisms to maintain serum calcium around the time of calving. Though clinical cases may only arise in ≈ 5% of transition cows, subclinical rates are much higher. Animals suffering from even subclinical milk fever are much more susceptible to numerous other transition disorders. Preventing milk fever by formulation of the prepartum ration may be accomplished by decreasing the dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) which can be defined as the balance between positively and negatively charged ions in the diet. An experiment was designed to test 2 diets containing t products designed to deliver supplementary anions to the diet versus a control ration with no added anions. Total serum calcium and incidence of postpartum health disorders were not affected by prepartum dietary treatment. Though DCAD was drastically different between the control ration and the 2 anionic diets, the concentration of the strong cation potassium was low across all treatments which presumably prevented hypocalcemia with the onset of lactation. Though our diets contained low concentrations of potassium, many diets used by dairymen contain forages that are high in potassium and thus might benefit from the addition of anions. An experiment of an unrelated nature was conducted to observe the effects of 2 diets containing wet corn gluten feed (46 or 56% of DM) as the primary energy substrate and tallgrass prairie hay (14 or 20% of DM) as the sole source of physically effective fiber versus a control ration containing alfalfa and corn silage. The 20% tallgrass prairie hay diet resulted in milk components and efficiencies similar to those of the control ration, but production and income over feed cost did not match that of the control ration in this situation.

An investigation into the effects of feed composition on lactational performance was carried out using rats and cows. A graphical representation of the feed as a triangle was used to aid the interpretation of results. The first rat experiment showed that, on high protein feeds, the lactational performance of rats is not depressed when offered feeds of very low carbohydrate content. This was substantiated by the other rat experiments. When carbohydrate in the feed was replaced by fat at low protein content (rat experiment 2) there was a large depression in lactational performance, effectively a cessation of mild production. The interaction between the three feed components protein, carbohydrate and fat was highly significant. The hypothesis that maternal heat production was limiting food intake was advanced. The third rat experiment used feeds whose composition was marginal in relation to lactational success. The feeds also allowed comparison between feeds of constant nutrient:energy ratio. The results of this experiment indicated that there is an extremely abrupt threshold in feed composition for adequate lactation. This effect could not be attributed to any one nutrient:energy ratio. This experiment also showed the importance of maternal body reserves in support of lactation. A model was developed to explore the hypothesis that maternal heat production was limiting performance, however this model failed. An experiment using sheep was conducted in order to permit prediction of the volatile fatty acid proportions arising from a range of feeds. This experiment was designed to allow application of the rat work to dairy cows. A dairy cow trial was conducted to compare different feed types and feeding levels. The results of this trial showed no effect of feed type on lactational performance. A linear relationship between food intake and level of milk production was found. This included an effect of feeding level on rate of decline in milk yield. All these findings are discussed in detail.

Time budgets, avoidance distance scores-related behaviour and milk yield of pasture-based Jersey, Friesland and crossbred cows. by Madodana Sunson Dodzi The study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare farm to determine the time budgets, the avoidance-related behaviour variables and their relationship with milk yield in three pasturebased dairy genotypes: Jersey, Friesland and crossbreed. Twenty one clinically health dairy cows aged between 52 and 55 months, in mid lactation and comprising of seven cows from each genotype were used in the study. The time spent on different activities (grazing, lying down, standing and others) at pasture was recorded using stop watches across four seasons. The behavioural responses of the three genotypes to humans were determined by recording their avoidance distance scores (AD), exit speed (ES), pen scores (PS), pen behaviour scores (PBS), plat form scores (PLS) and the occurrence of kicking (KCK) and stepping (SPG) during milking on four consecutive days in four seasons. Time spent standing was higher (P < 0.05) for Friesland compared to Jersey and crossbred during the hot-wet season. In the cool-dry season the Jersey spent more time (P < 0.05) grazing than the other breeds. The Friesland and crossbred on the other hand devoted most of their time lying down compared to Jersey in the cool- dry season (P < 0.05). There were season differences in time spent on all activities (P < 0.05). Time spent on grazing was longest in post-rainy seasonal and lowest in hot- wet season (P < 0.05). The longest lying down period was observed in the hot-dry season and lowest in hot-wet season (P < 0.05). iii Daily milk yield Varied (P < 0.05) with genotype with the Friesland and Jersey producing higher yield than the crossbred. The highest amount was produced in hot-dry and the least in hot-wet season. Milk yield was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with lying down. Standing was negatively correlated with milk yield (P < 0.05). The Friesland had the highest avoidance distance scores (P < 0.05) and the Jersey had the lowest avoidance distance scores in all seasons. There was an association (P < 0.05) between genotype and exit speed scores, pen scores and stepping behaviour scores. The Friesland exhibited the highest exit speed scores than the other breeds. The Jersey had the lowest (P < 0.05) kicking behaviour scores. There was a relationship (r = 0.64) between avoidance distance scores and exit speed. Exit speed scores were correlated with pen score(r= 0.23). Milk yield was significant related (r= 0.17) to the occurrence of kicking behaviour. The genotypes showed different levels of sensitivity to season and milk yield was influenced by breed and season. It can be concluded that time budgets vary with season and farmers need to adopt measures that buffer the effect of season on welfare of dairy cows. It can also be concluded that avoidance distance scores differs according to genotype with Jersey being more confident to humans than other two breeds. It is therefore recommended that provision of shades or cooling mechanism should be adopted to buffer the effects of hot-wet season. Improving quality of feed during the cool-dry season may be critical for Jersey cows. Finally positive handling of the dairy cows is recommended in order to improve the welfare and milk yield of pasture based dairy cows.

Ruminant feed supplements are price sensitive and are effected by the continuous fluctuation of other raw material feed prices. Therefore, improving the efficiency of production and reducing cost of supplement concentrates for dairy cows are becoming increasingly important both for the smallholder and commercial dairy farmer. This can be overcome by replacing expensive energy and protein feeds with cheaper by-products. During periods of high maize prices, replacing maize with lower cost high fibre by-products becomes an economically viable option. Palm kernel expeller (PKE) fits the profile of a low cost, high fibre by-product. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different inclusion levels of PKE in dairy concentrates for Jersey cows on milk production, milk composition, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) change, rumen parameters and in situ ruminal kikuyu/ryegrass pasture degradability of dry matter (DMd) and neutral detergent fibre (NDFd) as well as NDFd rate (NDF kd). The study was conducted at the Outeniqua Research Farm situated near George in the Western Cape and cows grazed high quality kikuyu/ryegrass pasture during spring. Forty eight multiparous high producing Jersey cows were blocked according to 4% fat corrected milk (FCM), days in milk (DIM) and lactation number and randomly allocated to three treatments (control, low PKE, and high PKE). The PKE inclusion level in the control, low PKE, and high PKE treatment concentrates was 0, 20, and 40%, respectively. The PKE replaced part of the maize and protein sources in the concentrate. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk composition was determined in two week intervals over a 60 d period, after a 21 d adaptation period. Additionally, eight lactating rumen-fistulated cows were randomly allocated to the control and high PKE treatment in a two period crossover design. Ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA’s), ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), and in situ ruminal kikuyu/ryegrass pasture DMd, NDFd and NDF kd were measured. Cows received 6 kg (as is) concentrate per day divided over two milking periods and strip grazed kikuyu/ryegrass pasture as one group. Milk yield and milk fat content did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments and were 21.3, 21.3 and 20.7 kg/cow/d and 4.63, 4.65, and 4.66% for cows receiving the control, low PKE and high PKE treatments, respectively. Milk protein, milk urea nitrogen (MUN), BW and BCS did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Total VFA’s, average ruminal pH, ruminal NH3-N, and in situ ruminal kikuyu/ryegrass pasture DMd and NDFd as well as NDF kd did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. The acetic to propionic acid ratio was, however, higher (P < 0.05) for cows supplemented with the high PKE treatment. It can be concluded that partial replacement of maize with 20 or 40% PKE in a lactating dairy cow concentrate did not affect milk yield, milk fat content, milk protein content, somatic cell count (SCC), BW, or BCS. Rumen fermentation was unaffected and a healthy rumen environment was sustained. The replacement of higher cost maize and soybean oilcake by a lower cost PKE decreased feed cost. It is however not recommended to include PKE at 40% in the concentrate due to the increased time spent by cows in the milking parlour and the low palatability of PKE, which could lead to the tendency of increased concentrate refusals. It can be extrapolated from the data obtained from this study that milk production will be sustained when PKE is fed to cows on pasture at 2.4 kg/cow/day.
Dissertation (MSc Agric)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Animal and Wildlife Sciences
unrestricted

In the first of three experiments, four Holstein multiparous dairy cows, equipped with ruminal and duodenal cannulas, were used to determine the impact of different methods of treating soybean meal (SBM) on ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of CP and amino acids (AA). Solvent extracted SBM (SE), expeller SBM (EP), lignosulfonate SBM (LS) and heat and soy hulls SBM (HS) were incubated in the rumen, in nylon bags, for various intervals up to 48h. Additional samples incubated for 16 h were pre-treated with pepsin HCI, and then used for determination of intestinal digestibility either in situ (mobile bag technique) or in vitro. Treatment of SBM (EP, LS, HS) increased rumen undegradable protein (RUP), and AA availability in 30%. Estimates of intestinal digestibility of AA and CP were lower when measured in vitro than in situ. Among the treated SBM products, four EAA (Ile, Leu, Phe and Val) showed differences in availability, with values consistently lower for HS than for LS. The second experiment involved a comparative assessment of the availability of lysine in SE and rumen protected SBM products (EP and LS). Lysine availability was assessed either by the increment in plasma flux of 15N lysine, the increment in intestinally digestible lysine (using chromic oxide as a digesta marker) or by the use of a "plasma lysine response curve" designed to predict intestinally available lysine. The plasma Lys flux was not different between the different SBM products. However, SE + 70 g.d-1 omasal infusion of Lys (SE70) increased Lys flux by exactly 70 g.d -1 above the SE treatment. No differences were observed on duodenal Lys flow, post-ruminal digestion and digestible Lys between the SBM diets (SE, EP, LS). Irrespective of the method of assessment, lysine availability was not altered by the method of treating SBM. The third study evaluated the relative impact of supplying rumen-undegraded protein (RUP) versus altering the carbohydrate source on milk yield and efficiency N usage for milk production. Protein supplementation (SE and EP) increased DMI, whereas the inclusion of beet pulp (BP) replacing 50% of high moisture shelled corn decreased DMI. The results of this research suggest that, under normal conditions of feeding, supplying rumen protected SBM to enhance the supply of intestinally available essential AA does not improve lactation performance; providing beet pulp as a source of readily fermentable fibre also failed to affect milk yield or efficiency of N usage for milk production by dairy cattle.

The utilization of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass var Bana) based diets and the lactation performance of dairy cows in coastal lowland Kenya was studied in a series of five experiments. In experiments 1 and 2, the effects of 300g/day additional crude protein from locally available fishmeal, copra cake and Leucaena were compared using Jersey cows fed ad libitum Napier grass. Experiment 1 carried out in early lactation, showed that supplements (fishmeal or copra cake) could increase dry matter DM intake, reduce live-weight loss and increase (P< 0.05) milk output (7.8 v 6.4kg/day) with no differences between the supplements. Experiment 2 was carried out in mid lactation. Cows fed supplements (a mixture of copra cake/maize bran or Leucaena) consumed more (P< 0.01) DM with no effect on Napier grass intake and produced more (P< 0.05) milk no difference between supplements. No significant changes in live weight were observed. Ayrshire/Brown Swiss x Sahiwal cattle were used in experiments 3 to 5. In experiment 3, the effects of Napier grassharvesting height (1.0 v 1.5m) and level of Leucaena (0,4 and 8kgFW) were evaluated in early lactation. Feeding Napier grass harvested at 1.0m compared with 1.5m increased (P&60 0.01) Napier grass intake (9.3 v 6.8kg/day), reduced live-weight losses (0.16 v 0.49kg/day) and increased milk yield (8.6 v 6.9kg/day). Feeding Leucaena (0, 4 and 8kgFW; DM280g/kg) significantly (P< 0.01) increased total DM intake (7.8, 9.3 and 10.4kg/day), reduced live-weight loss (0.53, 0.23 and 0.17kg/day) and increased milk yield (7.3, 7.7 and 8.3kg/day).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005.
Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xviii, 141 p.; also includes graphics (some col.) Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-130). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

The role of ammonia in reproductive inefficiency in early lactation dairy cows was studied in a series of experiments designed to determine the concentrations of ammonia in normal bovine follicular fluid (bFF), to determine the effects of ammonia on the bovine embryo during specific stages of development, and to test the hypothesis that elevated plasma urea nitrogen concentration is associated with elevated ammonia and urea nitrogen concentrations in the reproductive fluids. In the first study, ammonia concentration in different size follicles and the effect of ammonia during in vitro maturation on embryo development were determined. Ammonia concentration in the bFF was significantly different (P<0.001) between each follicle size (< 1 mm, 2-4 mm, 5-8 mm, and >10 mm) and ammonia concentration decreased as follicle size increased. There was no difference (P>0.05) in cleavage rates, morula development, and blastocyst development when oocytes were exposed to various concentrations of ammonia during in vitro maturation. In the second study, the effects of addition of ammonia in the media during in vitro fertilization (IVF), culture (IVC), and throughout maturation (IVM), IVF, and IVC were evaluated. Addition of moderate concentrations of ammonia to IVF media resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in embryos that developed to blastocysts and to expanding and hatching blastocysts. Ammonia in the IVC media significantly (P<0.05) decreased the proportion of ova that developed to blastocysts. When exposed to ammonia throughout IVM, IVF, and IVC, ova developing to morulae was significantly (P<0.05) higher in media containing moderate concentrations of ammonia compared to control. In the third study, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations were related to follicular and uterine fluid ammonia and urea concentrations in early lactation dairy cows. Mean PUN concentrations were used to distribute the cows into two groups: 1) cows with PUN ≥ 20 mg/dl (HPUN), and 2) cows with PUN<20mg/dl (LPUN). Follicular fluid ammonia and follicular fluid urea were significantly (P<0.01) higher in HPUN cows compared to LPUN cows. Uterine fluid ammonia concentration was significantly (P=0.05) higher in HPUN cows than in LPUN cows during the luteal phase, but not during the estrus phase of the estrous cycle, but not on Day 0. Uterine fluid urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly (p<0.001) higher in HPUN cows than in LPUN cows during both the luteal and estrus phases.

Outliers are a major concern in data quality as it limits the reliability of any data. The objective of our investigation was to examine the presence and cause of outliers in the system for controlling and recording the feed intake of dairy cows in Lovsta farm, Uppsala Sweden. The analyses were made on data recorded as a timestamp of each visit of the cows to the feeding troughs from the period of August 2015 to January 2016. A three step methodology was applied to this data. The first step was fitting a mixed model to the data then the resulting residuals was used in the second step to fit a model based clustering for Gaussian mixture distribution which resulted in clusters of which 2.5% of the observations were in the outlier cluster. Finally, as the third step, a logistic regression was then fit modelling the presence of outliers versus the non-outlier clusters. It appeared that on early hours of the morning between 6am to 11.59am, there is a high possibility of recorded values to be outliers with odds ratio of 1.1227 and this is also the same time frame noted to have the least activity in feed consumption of the cows with a decrease of 0.027 kilograms as compared to the other timeframes. These findings provide a basis for further investigation to more specifically narrow down the causes of the outliers.

Four studies were conducted to determine the effect of synchronization of protein and starch degradation on nutrient utilization, microbial protein synthesis and milk production in dairy cows. In Experiment 1, five cereal grains and five protein supplements were compared for extent of solubility and degradability of their starch and nitrogen fractions. Results indicated large differences which permitted their ranking from high to low degradability as follows: grains, oats > wheat > barley > corn > milo protein supplements, soybean meal > cottonseed meal, (CSM) > corn gluten meal > brewers dried grains, (BDG) > blood meal. In Experiment 2, the five grains were incubated for varying times in vitro (with added amylase) or in situ to determine rate and extent of degradation of dry matter, crude protein and starch. Results showed that rate of starch degradation followed a similar, but slightly different trend than in trial 1 (wheat > barley > oats > corn > milo). Rates for DM and CP degradation were similar than those for starch. In Experiment 3, high (barley, HS) and low (milo, LS) degradable starch sources were combined with a high (CSM, HP) and a low (BDG, LP) degradable protein sources to formulate four diets; HSHP, HSLP, LSHP and LSLP. Diets were fed to 32 cows, starting two to four weeks postpartum, for a 60-d milk production and digestibility study. Apparent digestibility was calculated using chromium oxide. Organic matter digestibility was higher (P < .05) was found in nutrient output to the small intestine among diets and microbial CP synthesis was higher (P > .05) for barley diets.

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias alternativas para facilitar a mensuração da produção de calor e de metano em animais é necessário e deve trazer efeitos positivos para a indústria de produção animal. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi correlacionar a temperatura em pontos anatômicos mensurados através de termografia infravermelha com a produção de calor e a emissão de metano em vacas Holandês e mestiças Holandês x Gir. Seis vacas mestiças Holandês e Gir e quatro vacas Holandês no período médio da lactação, primíparas, foram avaliadas quanto à produção de calor e à emissão de metano diárias, por calorimetria indireta, em câmaras respirométricas. A termografia foi feita nas regiões do ânus, da vulva, da costela (no lado direito), do flanco direito, do flanco esquerdo, da pata dianteira direita, do lábio superior, do masseter e do olho. As imagens termográficas foram tomadas nesses nove pontos anatômicos anteriormente citados, a cada hora, por oito horas após a alimentação da manhã, durante cinco dias. Durante todo o experimento, as vacas receberam a mesma dieta ad libitum e a produção de leite e o consumo foram registrados diariamente O estudo compreendeu 40 dias, incluindo os dias de adaptação dos animais às câmaras respirométricas. A produção diária de metano foi associada com a termografia infravermelha do olho na hora 6 após a alimentação em vacas mestiças Holandês x Gir (r=0,85, p<0,05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho feita na hora 5 em vacas Holandês (r=0,88, p<0,05). Além disso, a produção de calor foi correlacionada com a termografia infravermelha da pata dianteira direita uma hora após a alimentação em vacas Girolando F1 (r=0.85, p<0.05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho cinco horas após a alimentação em vacas Holandês (r=0,90, p<0,05). Esses resultados foram posteriormente confirmados usando análise de regressão. As correlações das imagens termográficas com a produção de calor e emissão de metano foram similares entre as vacas Holandês e as vacas Girolando F1. A termografia infravermelha é efetiva na avaliação da produção de calor e da emissão de metano de vacas em lactação Holandês e Girolando F1, embora realizadas em pontos anatômicos diferentes.
The development of alternative technologies that more easily assess heat and methane production of livestock animals are needed and would have positive effects on the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to correlate skin temperature assessed through infrared thermography with heat and methane production in lactating Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbreed cows. Six Holstein and Gir crossbred and four Holstein cows, all primiparous, at midlactation were used to evaluate daily heat production and methane emissions through indirect calorimetry in respiratory chambers. Thermographic images were taken at nine different body locations every hour during eight hours after feeding for five days. Thermographic images were taken at the following regions: anus, vulva, ribs (on the right side), left flank, right flank, right front foot, upper lip, masseter and eye. During the whole trial cows received the same diet ad libitum, milk yield and feed intake were daily recorded. Data collection lasted 40 days, including adaptation of the animals to the respiratory chambers Daily methane emission was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the eye six hours after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.88, p<0.05). Also, heat production was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the right front foot one hour after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.90, p<0.05). These results were further confirmed using regression analysis. Correlations between infrared thermography and heat production or methane emissions are similar for Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred. Infrared thermography is effective in assess heat production and methane emission in Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred lactation cows albeit taken in different anatomical points.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Kikuyu over-sown with ryegrass forms the basis of pasture based systems in the Southern Cape. During early spring, energy is the first limiting nutrient in kikuyu/ryegrass pasture, supplementation is thus essential. Supplementation consists mainly of high starch concentrates (high maize inclusion), which is expensive and could negatively affect rumen parameters. The objective of this study was to determine if milk production could be improved or maintained, and if the rumen environment would be improved, by replacing high starch concentrates with low starch (high by-product) concentrates for dairy cows on kikuyu/ryegrass pasture. Forty-five multiparous, high producing, lactating Jersey cows [body weight, 340 ± 34.7 kg; milk yield (MY), 19.6 ± 2.23kg/d; days in milk (DIM), 153 ± 33.5; lactation number, 3.6 ± 1.85; (mean ± SD)] were used in the production study. A randomised block design was used. The forty-five cows were allocated to fifteen groups of three each (blocking) on the basis of MY, DIM, and lactation number. Cows from each group were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (high starch, medium starch and low starch concentrate supplementation). Cows were fed 6kg (3kg during each milking) concentrate per day and were allocated fresh pasture ad lib after each milking. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) found in milk yield and fat corrected milk yield between treatment groups. Milk fat percentage was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low starch treatment than in the high starch treatment. Milk fat yield was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both the low starch and the medium starch treatment when compared to the high starch treatment. Milk protein and lactose percentages, as well as milk urea nitrogen and somatic cell count, did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between treatments. Live weight change, as well as body condition score change, was unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatments indicating body reserves were not used to maintain milk production in the low starch treatment. A rumen metabolism study was also done with ten lactating, cannulated Jersey cows [body weight, 332 ± 56.3 kg; MY, 17.3 ± 1.73kg/d (mean ± SD)] were used. The cows were divided into two groups of five each, on the basis of lactation number, DIM, and MY. The five cows from each group were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups (high starch and low starch concentrate supplementation) and used in a cross-over design. Cows were fed 6kg concentrate per day and were allocated fresh pasture ad lib after each milking. The volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatment when compared to the low starch treatment. The individual VFA’s, acetic-, propionic- and butyric acid concentrations were also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatments when compared to the low starch treatment. The acetic to propionic acid ratio was unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Rumen ammonia-nitrogen concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the high starch treatment. Rumen pH was unaffected (P > 0.05) by supplementation type. The in sacco dry matter and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities of the kikuyu/ryegrass pasture were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment type. Results indicated that milk production could be maintained with low starch concentrates which also improved milk composition. Results further suggested that the rumen environment was relatively unaffected by low starch concentrate supplementation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kikoejoe, oorgesaai met raaigras, vorm die basis van weidingstelsels in the Suid-Kaap. Tydens die lentemaande is energie die eerste beperkende voedingstof op kikoejoe/raaigras weidings, wat kragvoeraanvulling noodsaaklik maak. Aanvulling bestaan grootliks uit hoëstysel-kragvoer (hoë mielieinhoud) wat nie net duur is nie, maar dit kan ook die rumenomgewing benadeel. Die doel van die studie was om vas te stel of melkproduksievlakke onderhou kan word en of rumenomgewing verbeter kan word deur die vervanging van hoëstysel-kragvoer met laestysel-kragvoer (hoë neweprodukinhoud) vir melkkoeie op kikoejoe/raaigras weidingstelsels. Vyf-en-veertig meervoudige pariteit-, hoë produserende, lakterende Jerseykoeie [liggaamsmassa, 340 ± 34.7 kg; melkproduksie, 19.6 ± 2.23kg/d; dae in melk, 153 ± 33.5; laktasienommer, 3.6 ± 1.85; (gem ± standaardafwyking)] is gebruik vir die produksiestudie van die proef. Daar is gebruik gemaak van ‘n ewekansige blokontwerp. Die vyf-en-veertig koeie is opgedeel in vyftien groepe van drie elk, gebaseer op melkproduksie, dae in melk en laktasienommer. Koeie in elke groep is ewekansig aan een van drie behandelings (hoëstysel-, mediumstysel- of laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling) geallokeer. Koeie is daagliks 6kg (3kg tydens twee milkings) kragvoer gevoer en vars weiding was ad lib beskikbaar na elke melking. Daar was geen beduidende verskil (P > 0.05) in melkopbrengs of vet-gekorrigeerde melkopbrengs tussen die drie behandelings nie. Bottervetpersentasie was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die laestyselbehandeling in vergelyking met die hoëstyselbehandeling. Bottervetopbrengs was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in beide die laestysel- en mediumstyselbehandelings in vergelyking met die hoëstyselbehandeling. Melkproteïen- en melklaktosepersentasies, asook melkureumstikstof en somatise seltelling, was onveranderd (P > 0.05) tussen behandelinge. Liggaamsmassa en liggaamskondisietelling het geen verskille (P > 0.05) getoon tussen behandelings nie, wat daarop dui dat liggaamsreserwes nie gebruik is om melkproduksie in die laestyselbehandeling te onderhou nie. ‘n Rumenmetabolismestudie is ook uitgevoer met tien lakterende, gekannuleerde Jerseykoeie [liggaamsmassa, 332 ± 56.3 kg; melkproduksie, 17.3 ± 1.73kg/d (gem ± standard afwyking)]. Die koeie is in twee groepe van vyf elk verdeel, gebasseer op laktasienommer, dae in melk en melkproduksie. Die vyf koeie van elke groep is in ‘n omslagontwerp gebruik en is ewekansig aan een van twee behandelings (hoëstysel- of laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling) geallokeer. Koeie het daagliks 6kg kragvoer ontvang en vars weiding was ad lib beskikbaar na elke melking. Die vlugtige vetsuurkonsentrasie was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Die individuele vlugtige vetsure naamlik asynsuur, propionsuur en bottersuur, was ook beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Die asynsuur- tot propionsuurverhoudings het geen verskille (P > 0.05) tussen behandelings getoon nie. Rumen-ammoniakstikstof was beduidend hoër (P < 0.05) in die hoëstyselbehandeling as in die laestyselbehandeling. Rumen-pH het geen verskille (P > 0.05) getoon tussen behandelings nie. Die in sacco droëmateriaal- en neutraalbestande veselverteerbaarhede van kikoejoe/raaigras weiding het geen verskille (P > 0.05) tussen behandelings getoon nie. Die resultate het aangedui dat melkproduksie onderhou kan word en dat melksamestelling verbeter kan word met laestysel-kragvoeraanvulling. Resultate het ook daarop gedui dat die rumenomgewing nie noodwendig verbeter word deur die aanvulling van laestysel-kragvoer vir koeie op kikoejoe/raaigras weidings nie.

Tanto a administração de monensina quanto o processamento de grãos alteram o padrão de fermentação ruminal de forma a aumentar a disponibilidade de energia e proteína para o animal, resultando em melhor desempenho. Dois trabalhos foram conduzidos com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de concentrados contendo milho laminado a vapor ou floculado, com ou sem a adição de monensina, no consumo de MS, ganho de peso e parâmetros sanguíneos e ruminais de bezerros leiteiras, antes e após a desmama realizada a sexta semana de vida. No primeiro experimento foram utilizadas 32 bezerras holandesas do nascimento a 12 semanas de vida, em um delineamento experimental do tipo blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial 2x2. Do nascimento a desmama os animais receberam concentrado ad libitum até o consumo de 2 kg/d , quatro litros diários de leite e tiveram acesso livre à água. Após a desmama, realizada na sexta semana de vida, os animais continuaram recebendo 2 kg de concentrado e passaram a ter acesso a feno picado ad libitum. O tipo de processamento de grão ou a adição de monensina não afetou o consumo médio de concentrado ou feno (P>0,05), assim como o peso final e o ganho de peso diário (P>0,05). As concentrações plasmáticas de glicose e AGL médios do período experimental não foram afetadas pelos tratamentos; entretanto, as concentrações de N-uréico foram inferiores no plasma de animais recebendo concentrado com grãos laminados e monensina (P=0,08). Houve efeito significativo da idade animal nas concentrações plasmáticas de glicose (P<0,0001), N-uréico (P<0,001) e AGL (P<0,02). Somente os parâmetros glicose e AGL plasmáticos foram afetados pelo horário após o fornecimento do alimento. No segundo experimento, 16 bezerros holandeses fistulados no rúmen com 3 a 5 dias de vida, foram agrupados em blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial 2x2. Os animais receberam concentrado ad libitum até o consumo de 2 kg/d , 4 litros diários de leite e tiveram acesso livre à água. Após a desmama, realizada na oitava semana de vida, os animais passaram a receber 2 kg/d de concentrado e feno picado ad libitum. Os tratamentos não afetaram (P>0,05) o consumo de concentrado e feno, assim como o desempenho animal. A concentração molar de propionato (P<0,05) foi maior para animais recebendo grão laminado. Houve tendência de maior concentração molar de AGV total (P=0,11) e butirato (P=0,13) para animais recebendo grão laminado. A inclusão de monensina tendeu a reduzir as concentrações de N-NH3 ruminal (P=0,12). O peso do retículo-rúmen (% trato total) tendeu (P=0,09) a ser maior em animais recebendo grão laminado e monensina. A capacidade do retículo-rúmen foi aumentada (P<0,05) pelo fornecimento de grão laminado e monensina. Milho floculado resultou em menor peso do abomaso em % trato total (P<0,01).
Two trails were conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrates containing processed grains (steam-flaked vs. steam-rolled), with or without monensin, on intake, weight gain and blood and rumen parameters of baby calves, before and after weaning at six weeks of life. In the first trial, 32 baby heifers were utilized on a completely randomized block, with a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The animals received concentrate ad libitum up to 2 kg/d, plus 4 L of milk. Calves had free access to water. After weaning, at the sixth week of life, calves received concentrate and chopped hay. The treatments did not affect (P>0,05) concentrate or hay intake, final live weight, average daily gain, plasma glucose and NEFA concentration. PUN was lower on calves fed steam-rolled corn and monensin (P=0,08). There was a significant effect of age on glucose (P<0,0001), PUN (P<0,001), and NEFA (P<0,02) concentrations. Only glucose and NEFA were affected by time after feeding. In the second trial, Sixteen Holstein calves were ruminally canulated with 3 to5 days of life, and utilized on a completely randomized design block with a 2x2 factorial arrangement. The animals received concentrate ad libitum up to 2 kg/d, plus 4 L/d of milk. Calves had free access to water. After weaning at the eight weeks of life, calves received concentrate and chopped hay. Animal performance, concentrate and hay intakes were lower than expected and not affected (P>0,05) by treatments. The molar proportion of propionate was higher (P<0,05) for steam-rolled concentrate. There was a tendency for higher total VFA (P=0,11) and butyrate (P=0,13) for steam-rolled corn. Monensin tended to reduce ruminal N-NH3 concentration (P=0,12). Weight of reticulum-rumen (as % total tract) tended to be higher (P=0,09) for calves on steam-rolled and monensin concentration. However, the capacity of reticulum-rumen was increased by steam-rolled and monensin feeding (P<0,05). Steam-flaked concentrate resulted on heavier abomasum, as % total tract (P<0,01).