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Higgins JT, Campion D, Jones J, Lott S, Lynch MB, McEvoy M, McGovern F, Boland TM. Examining the Effects of Whole Crop Wheat Silage on Ewe Performance during Late Gestation Compared to Traditional Grass Silage across Three Prolific Breed Types. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10091554. [PMID: 32887295 PMCID: PMC7552157 DOI: 10.3390/ani10091554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Nutrition of the ewe during late pregnancy can impact the subsequent performance of the ewe and her lambs. In indoor lambing systems, grass silage is the predominant forage used but is of sub-optimal quality. This study examined the potential of whole crop cereal silage when offered to one of three prolific breed types in late pregnancy. With the exception of reduced crude protein intake on the whole crop wheat silage diets, nutrient intake or ewe body reserves were not affected by forage type. However, ewes offered whole crop wheat silage-based diets produced smaller lambs. Mule ewes produced lower volumes of colostrum in the first 18 h after lambing reflecting a lower nutrient intake during late pregnancy. Maternal nutrition and breed type merit careful consideration in prolific sheep production systems to ensure lamb welfare and survivability are not compromised. Abstract Provision of adequate nutrient intake in late gestation of the ewe is an important determinant of dam and offspring performance. A 2 × 3 factorial design experiment examining two forage types, whole crop wheat silage (WCWS) or grass silage (GS) offered to one of three prolific breed types, (Belclare X, Lleyn X, Mule (Bluefaced Leicester × Blackface Mountain)), was conducted. Forage type had no impact on dry matter (DM) or metabolizable energy (ME) intake, body weight and body condition score change, or colostrum production (p > 0.05). Ewes offered WCWS had lower crude protein (CP) intake (p < 0.0001) and a lower combined litter weight (p < 0.05). Mule ewes consumed less DM, CP, (p < 0.05), and ME (p < 0.01) compared to Belclare X and Lleyn X ewes however, water intake per kg DM consumed did not differ with breed type (p > 0.05). Colostrum yield over the first 18 h postpartum was lower for Mule ewes compared to other breed types (p < 0.05). In conclusion, results from this study suggest nutrient concentration and balance as opposed to forage type is important for late gestation nutrition and breed type can impact feed intake and colostrum yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan T. Higgins
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, 4 D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.); (M.B.L.); (T.M.B.)
- Germinal Ireland Ltd., Horse and Jockey, Co., E25 D286 Tipperary, Ireland; (D.C.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dermot Campion
- Germinal Ireland Ltd., Horse and Jockey, Co., E25 D286 Tipperary, Ireland; (D.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Joe Jones
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, 4 D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.); (M.B.L.); (T.M.B.)
| | - Stephen Lott
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin Lyons Farm, Lyons Estate, Celbridge, Naas, Co., W23 ENY2 Kildare, Ireland;
| | - M. Bridget Lynch
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, 4 D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.); (M.B.L.); (T.M.B.)
| | - Mary McEvoy
- Germinal Ireland Ltd., Horse and Jockey, Co., E25 D286 Tipperary, Ireland; (D.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Fiona McGovern
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co., H65 R718 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Tommy M. Boland
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, 4 D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.); (M.B.L.); (T.M.B.)
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Günal M, McCourt A, Zhao Y, Yan ZG, Yan T. The effect of silage type on animal performance, energy utilisation and enteric methane emission in lactating dairy cows. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/an16435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of silage type on dry matter (DM) intake, nutrient digestibility, energy utilisation and methane (CH4) emission. Six late lactating Holstein dairy cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design study with three treatments (grass silage (GS), maize silage (MS) and whole-crop wheat silage (WCWS)) and three periods (3 weeks/period). All animals were offered forage ad libitum and 5.55 kg/day of a concentrate supplement, which contained (DM basis) 66.0% rapeseed meal, 28.3% soyabean meal and 5.7% a mineral/vitamin supplement. During each period, animals were subject to digestibility, CH4 and heat production measurements during the final 6 days using calorimeter chambers. The results demonstrated that total DM intake for MS and WCWS diets were higher (P < 0.001) than for the GS diet. Faecal energy and heat production loss for the GS diet were lower (P < 0.01) than for MS and WCWS diets. In contrast, cows fed the GS diet had higher (P < 0.05) urine energy loss compared with MS and WCWS diets. In comparison with the GS and MS diets, WCWS diet produced a lower CH4 loss per kg DM and organic matter intake (P < 0.01), and CH4 energy output as a proportion of gross energy and metabolisable energy intake (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that choice of forage types affects energy utilisation and CH4 emission in dairy cows.
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Peiretti PG, Meineri G, Longato E, Tassone S. Nutritive value and fatty acid content of soybean plant [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] during its growth cycle. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2017.1364985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgia Meineri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Erica Longato
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Sonia Tassone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Effect of homofermentative lactic acid bacteria and exogenous hydrolytic enzymes on the ensiling characteristics and rumen degradability of alfalfa and corn silages. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.15232/pas.2015-01494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Khan NA, Yu P, Ali M, Cone JW, Hendriks WH. Nutritive value of maize silage in relation to dairy cow performance and milk quality. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2015; 95:238-252. [PMID: 24752455 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.6703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 03/18/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Maize silage has become the major forage component in the ration of dairy cows over the last few decades. This review provides information on the mean content and variability in chemical composition, fatty acid (FA) profile and ensiling quality of maize silages, and discusses the major factors which cause these variations. In addition, the effect of the broad range in chemical composition of maize silages on the total tract digestibility of dietary nutrients, milk production and milk composition of dairy cows is quantified and discussed. Finally, the optimum inclusion level of maize silage in the ration of dairy cows for milk production and composition is reviewed. The data showed that the nutritive value of maize silages is highly variable and that most of this variation is caused by large differences in maturity at harvest. Maize silages ensiled at a very early stage (dry matter (DM) < 250 g kg(-1)) were particularly low in starch content and starch/neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ratio, and resulted in a lower DM intake (DMI), milk yield and milk protein content. The DMI, milk yield and milk protein content increased with advancing maturity, reaching an optimum level for maize silages ensiled at DM contents of 300-350 g kg(-1), and then declined slightly at further maturity beyond 350 g kg(-1). The increases in milk (R(2) = 0.599) and protein (R(2) = 0.605) yields with maturity of maize silages were positively related to the increase in starch/NDF ratio of the maize silages. On average, the inclusion of maize silage in grass silage-based diets improved the forage DMI by 2 kg d(-1), milk yield by 1.9 kg d(-1) and milk protein content by 1.2 g kg(-1). Further comparisons showed that, in terms of milk and milk constituent yields, the optimum grass/maize silage ratio depends on the quality of both the grass and maize silages. Replacement of grass silage with maize silage in the ration, as well as an increasing maturity of the maize silages, altered the milk FA profile of the dairy cows, notably, the concentration of the cis-unsaturated FAs, C18:3n-3 and n-3/n-6 ratio decreased in milk fat. Despite variation in nutritive value, maize silage is rich in metabolizable energy and supports higher DMI and milk yield. Harvesting maize silages at a DM content between 300 and 350 g kg(-1) and feeding in combination with grass silage results in a higher milk yield of dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazir A Khan
- Animal Nutrition Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University, 6700, AH, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan; Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 5A8
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Martínez-García CG, Rayas-Amor AA, Anaya-Ortega JP, Martínez-Castañeda FE, Espinoza-Ortega A, Prospero-Bernal F, Arriaga-Jordán CM. Performance of small-scale dairy farms in the highlands of central Mexico during the dry season under traditional feeding strategies. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014; 47:331-7. [PMID: 25471363 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-014-0724-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Mexico, small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) represent over 78 % of dairy farms and contribute with 37 % of national milk production; however, they face high feeding costs. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of SSDS during the dry season in terms of milk yields, milk composition and feeding costs under traditional feeding strategies, to identify areas of opportunity for improving their profitability. The information was collected from 22 SSDS every month during dry season. Feeds were classified in quality forages (QF), supplements (SU) and straws (ST). Two factors were identified: factor 1-a positive relationship among QF, SU, milk yield and ration cost and factor 2-represented straw usage. Four feeding strategies were identified: (1) low-cost feeding strategy; (2) home-grown feeding strategy; (3) high-cost feeding strategy; and (4) straw-based feeding strategy. There were differences (P < 0.001) among feeding strategies for QF, SU, ST, total dry matter offered (TDMO), ration cost (RC), external inputs, home-grown inputs and milk yield. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among feeding strategies for fat and protein contents in milk. It is concluded that to improve performance and profitability and enhance sustainability in SSDS, farmers should base feeding strategies on home-grown quality forages, as it was the case in group 2 which showed lower feeding cost and better milk yield. It is also recommended to increase the inclusion of quality forages like grazing pastures and maize silages during the dry season and to avoid the inclusion of straws.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Galdino Martínez-García
- Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales (ICAR), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100, CP 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico
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Hatier JHB, Faville MJ, Hickey MJ, Koolaard JP, Schmidt J, Carey BL, Jones CS. Plant vigour at establishment and following defoliation are both associated with responses to drought in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2014; 65:5823-34. [PMID: 25104762 PMCID: PMC4203121 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/eru318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Periodic drought events present a significant and, with climate change, increasing constraint on temperate forage plants' production. Consequently, improving plants' adaptive response to abiotic stress is a key goal to ensure agricultural productivity in these regions. In this study we developed a new methodology, using both area-based comparison and soil water content measurements of individual non-irrigated and irrigated clones, to assess performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) genotypes subjected to moisture stress in a simulated competitive environment. We applied this method to the evaluation of a full-sibling population from a pair cross between genotypes from a New Zealand cultivar and a Moroccan ecotype. Our hypothesis was that: (i) both leaf lamina regrowth after defoliation (LR) and plant vigour affect plant performance during drought and rehydration; and (ii) quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with plant performance under moisture stress could be identified. Differences amongst genotypes in dry matter (DM) production, early vigour at establishment, leaf elongation rate and LR were measured. LR explained most of the variation in DM production during exposure to moisture deficit and rehydration followed by plant vigour, indicated by initial DM production in both treatments and subsequent measures of DM production of irrigated clones. We identified two main QTL regions associated with DM production and LR, both during drought exposure and rehydration. Further research focused on these regions should improve our understanding of the genetic control of drought response in this forage crop and potentially other grass species with significant synteny, and support improvement in performance through molecular breeding approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Hugues B Hatier
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Marty J Faville
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Michael J Hickey
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - John P Koolaard
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Jana Schmidt
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Brandi-Lee Carey
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Chris S Jones
- AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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Whelan S, Mulligan F, Callan J, Flynn B, Pierce K. Effect of forage source and a supplementary methionine hydroxyl analogue on rumen fermentation parameters in lactating dairy cows offered a low crude protein diet. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Effects of replacing grass silage with either maize silage or concentrates during late pregnancy on the performance of breeding ewes fed isonitrogenous diets. Animal 2013; 7:957-64. [PMID: 23286239 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731112002212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
A study was undertaken to investigate the performance of breeding ewes fed a range of forage and concentrate-based diets in late pregnancy, balanced for supply of metabolizable protein (MP). For the final 6 weeks before lambing, 104 twin-bearing multiparous ewes were offered one of four diets: ad libitum precision-chop grass silage + 0.55 kg/day concentrates (GS); ad libitum maize silage + 0.55 kg/day concentrates (MS); a 1 : 1 mixture (on a dry matter (DM) basis) of grass silage and maize silage fed ad libitum + 0.55 kg/day (GSMS); or 1.55 kg/day concentrates + 50 g/day chopped barley straw (C). The CP content of the concentrates was varied between treatments (157 to 296 g/kg DM) with the aim of achieving a daily intake of 130 g/day MP across all treatments. Compared with ewes fed GS, forage DM intake was higher (P < 0.05) in ewes fed MS (+0.21 kg/day) and GSMS (+0.16 kg/day), resulting in higher (P < 0.001) total DM intakes with these treatments. C ewes had the lowest total DM intake of all the treatments examined (P < 0.001). C ewes lost more live weight (LW; P < 0.001) and body condition score (BCS; P < 0.05) during the first 3 weeks of the study but there were no dietary effects on ewe LW or BCS thereafter. The incidence of dystocia was lower (P < 0.01) in C ewes compared with those offered silage-based diets (7.5% v. 37.4% ewes), and was higher (P < 0.01) in ewes fed MS compared with GS or GSMS (50.7%, 34.7% and 26.9%, respectively). There were no significant dietary effects on the plasma metabolite concentrations of ewes in late pregnancy, pre-weaning lamb mortality, weaned lamb output per ewe or on lamb growth rate. The results of this study demonstrate that both maize silage and all-concentrate diets can replace grass silage in pregnant ewe rations without impacting on performance, provided the supply of MP is non-limiting. The higher incidence of dystocia in ewes fed maize silage as the sole forage is a concern.
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Whelan S, Mulligan F, Flynn B, McCarney C, Pierce K. Effect of forage source and a supplementary methionine hydroxy analog on nitrogen balance in lactating dairy cows offered a low crude protein diet. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:5080-9. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Mc Geough EJ, O'Kiely P, Foley PA, Hart KJ, Boland TM, Kenny DA. Methane emissions, feed intake, and performance of finishing beef cattle offered maize silages harvested at 4 different stages of maturity1. J Anim Sci 2010; 88:1479-91. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2009-2380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Cooke K, Bernard J, West J. Performance of lactating dairy cows fed ryegrass silage and corn silage with ground corn, steam-flaked corn, or hominy feed. J Dairy Sci 2009; 92:1117-23. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2008-1481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Owens D, McGee M, Boland T, O'Kiely P. Rumen fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, and nutrient flow to the omasum in cattle offered corn silage, grass silage, or whole-crop wheat1. J Anim Sci 2009; 87:658-68. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2007-0178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Cooke KM, Bernard JK, West JW. Performance of dairy cows fed annual ryegrass silage and corn silage with steam-flaked or ground corn. J Dairy Sci 2008; 91:2417-22. [PMID: 18487664 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2007-0715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were used in a 6-wk randomized block design trial with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effects of feeding ground corn (GC) or steam-flaked corn (SFC) in diets based on either annual ryegrass silage (RS) or a 50:50 blend of annual ryegrass and corn silages (BLEND). Experimental diets contained 49.6% forage and were fed as a total mixed ration once daily for 4 wk after a 2-wk preliminary period. No interactions were observed among treatments. Cows fed BLEND consumed more dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) than those fed RS, but total-tract digestibility of OM, NDF, and ADF was greater for RS than for BLEND. No differences in nutrient intake were observed among treatments during wk 4 when nutrient digestibility was measured, but digestibility of DM and OM was greater for SFC than for GC. Cows fed BLEND tended to produce more energy-corrected milk than those fed RS, resulting in improved efficiency (kg of milk per kg of DM intake). When diets were supplemented with SFC, cows consumed less DM and produced more milk that tended to have lower milk fat percentage. Yield of milk protein and efficiency was greatest with SFC compared with GC. Blood glucose and milk urea nitrogen concentrations were similar among treatments, but blood urea nitrogen was greater for cows fed GC compared with those fed SFC. Results of this trial indicate that feeding a blend of annual ryegrass and corn silage is more desirable than feeding diets based on RS as the sole forage. Supplementing diets with SFC improved performance and efficiency compared with GC across forage sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Cooke
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Tifton 31793-0748, USA
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Intake, performance and carcass characteristics of beef cattle offered diets based on whole-crop wheat or forage maize relative to grass silage or ad libitum concentrates. Livest Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Walsh K, O’Kiely P, Moloney A, Boland T. Intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and performance of beef cattle fed diets based on whole-crop wheat or barley harvested at two cutting heights relative to maize silage or ad libitum concentrates. Anim Feed Sci Technol 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2007.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Effect of pasture allowance and supplementation with maize silage and concentrates differing in crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen excretion by dairy cows. Livest Sci 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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