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Choices by lactating cows between concentrates high or low in digestible undegraded protein

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2016

R. E. Lawson ,
E. J. Redfern  and
J. M. Forbes
R. E. Lawson
Affiliation:
Centre for Animal Sciences, Leeds Institute of Biotechnology and Agriculture, University of Leeds, Leeds LSI 9JT
E. J. Redfern
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds LSI 9JT
J. M. Forbes
Affiliation:
Centre for Animal Sciences, Leeds Institute of Biotechnology and Agriculture, University of Leeds, Leeds LSI 9JT
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Abstract

To determine whether lactating cows select a nutritionally appropriate diet when given grass silage ad libitum and a choice of concentrates high or low in digestible undegradable protein (DUP), 24 mid-lactation Holstein-Friesian cows were given, in different 3-week periods, a concentrate high in DUP (HP), one low in DUP (LP), or a choice between the two (CHOICE), all at an allowance of 5·4 kg dry matter per day. Milk yield was significantly lower, and silage intake slightly but significantly higher, on LP than on either HP or CHOICE. The mean proportion of HP taken in the CHOICE period was 0·47 which was greater than the proportion required to satisfy the cows’ calculated requirements for effective rumen degradable protein, DUP or metabolizable protein but not significantly different from the ratio of 0·50 expected if no choice was made. Individual cows had a strong tendency initially to continue to eat from the feeder from which they had obtained concentrates in the period before CHOICE but this changed to eating significant amounts of both foods within about a week. The fact that the relationship between the proportion of HP in the concentrate intake and milk protein output was significant and positive, and became more so as the CHOICE period progressed, supports the hypothesis that protein demand was directing diet selection but must be viewed with caution as it was heavily influenced by the results of one animal: the highest-yielding cow which also chose to eat the greatest proportion of HP.

Keywords

choice feedingconcentratesdairy cowsgrass silagemilk protein yield
Type
Ruminant nutrition, behaviour and production
Information
Animal Science , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , June 2000 , pp. 515 - 525
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2000

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