Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T19:36:27.177Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effect of high-protein supplements on the utilization of body reserves by single-suckling cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

D. M. B. Chestnutt
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Hillsborough, Co. Down BT26 6DP
Get access

Abstract

In three successive experiments 32, 30 and 32 autumn-calving, single-suckled cows were subjected to individual planned weight reductions over winter on silage-based diets with various levels of concentrate supplement. At a similar level of weight loss, milk yield and calf gain were increased when protein supplements of low rumen degradability were given. On average, the inclusion of 0·75 kg fish meal in the diet improved calf gain by 0·13 kg/day. Results are discussed in terms of the effect of protein supplement on the efficiency of use of body reserves.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agricultural Research Council. 1980. The Nutrient Requirements of Ruminant Livestock. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Slough.Google Scholar
Chestnutt, D. M. B. 1984. Effect of weight change on the performance of autumn-calving suckler cows. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 102: 353359.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chigaru, P. R. N. and Topps, J. H. 1981. The composition of body-weight changes in underfed lactating beef cows. Animal Production 32: 95103.Google Scholar
Lowman, B. G., Scott, N. A. and Somkrville, S. H. 1973. Condition scoring of cattle. Bulletin, East of Scotland College of Agriculture, No. 6.Google Scholar
Ørskov, E. R., Grubb, D. A. and Kay, R. N. B. 1977. Effect of post-ruminal glucose or protein supplementation on milk yield and composition in Friesian cows in early lactation and negative energy balance. British Journal of Nutrition 38: 397405.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ørskov, E. R., Reid, G. W. and McDonald, I. 1981. The effects of protein degradability and food intake on milk yield and composition in cows in early lactation. British Journal of Nutrition 45: 547555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ørskov, E. R., Reid, G. W. and Tait, C. A. G. 1982. The effect of different levels of inclusion of fish meal i n high-silage diets for cows in early lactation. Animal Production 34: 361 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Robinson, J. J., Fraser, C., Gill, J. C. and McHattir, I. 1974. The effect of dietary crude protein concentration and time of weaning on milk production and body-weight change in the ewe. Animal Production 19: 331339.Google Scholar
Somerville, S. H., Lowman, B. G., Edwards, R. A. and Jolly, G. 1983. A study of the relationship between plane of nutrition during lactation and certain production characteristics in autumn-calving suckler cows. Animal Production 37: 353363.Google Scholar
Wright, I. A. and Russel, A. J. F. 1984. The composition and energy content of empty body-weight change in mature cattle. Animal Production 39: 365369.Google Scholar