The effect of early-lactation feeding strategy on the lactation performance of spring-calving dairy cows

J Dairy Sci. 2007 Jun;90(6):3060-70. doi: 10.3168/jds.2006-579.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish the influence of daily herbage allowance (DHA) and supplementation level offered to spring-calving dairy cows in early lactation on animal performance throughout lactation. Sixty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to a 6-treatment grazing study. The treatments comprised 3 DHA levels (13, 16, and 19 kg of DM/cow; >4 cm) and 2 concentrate supplementation levels (0 and 4 kg of DM/cow per day). Treatments were imposed from February 21 to May 8 (period 1; P1). During the subsequent 4-wk (period 2; P2), animals were offered a DHA of 20 kg of DM/cow and no concentrate. Subsequently, all animals grazed as a single herd to the end of lactation. Sward quality was homogeneous throughout lactation. A low DHA increased sward utilization (+14%) but reduced milk, solids-corrected milk, protein, and lactose yields compared with a high DHA during P1. Concentrate supplementation significantly increased milk, solids-corrected milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields during P1. The positive effect of concentrate supplementation remained throughout P2. A total concentrate input of 380 kg of DM/cow increased total lactation milk (+432 kg), solids-corrected milk (+416 kg), fat (+18 kg), protein (+15 kg), and lactose (+23 kg) yields. Greater P1 body weights were recorded when a high DHA and concentrate were offered. The P1 treatment had no effect on body condition score throughout lactation. The results indicate that offering a low DHA in early spring does not adversely affect total milk production, body weight, or body condition score, and offering concentrate results in a greater total lactation milk production performance.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Body Composition
  • Body Constitution
  • Cattle / physiology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Lactation / metabolism
  • Lactation / physiology*
  • Milk / chemistry*
  • Milk / metabolism
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Random Allocation
  • Time Factors
  • Weight Gain