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The effect of protein source on lameness and solear lesion formation in dairy cattle

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. E. Offer ,
D. N. Logue  and
D. J. Roberts
J. E. Offer
Affiliation:
Dairy Health Unit, Scottish Agricultural College, Veterinary Service, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5HW
D. N. Logue
Affiliation:
Dairy Health Unit, Scottish Agricultural College, Veterinary Service, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5HW
D. J. Roberts
Affiliation:
Grassland and Ruminant Science Department, Scottish Agricultural College, Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries DG1 4SZ
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Abstract

Two groups of 16 cubicle-housed Holstein-Friesian cattle from weeks 3 to 27 of lactation were offered either a proprietary protein supplement of animal origin (P) or soya-bean meal (S) as the protein source in the concentrate in a continuous design experiment. Concentrates were offered mixed with grass silage as complete diets to give a forage: concentrate ratio of 41: 59 and a crude protein content of 213 and 210 g/kg dry matter (DM) and a metabolizable energy content (MJ/kg DM) of 11·9 and 12·0 for P and S respectively. There was no significant difference due to diet for mean locomotion score (1·75 v. 1·66 (s.e. 0·15)), prevalence (0·1 v. 0·09 per cow per week) or incidence of lameness (0·04 v. 0·04) for P and S respectively. Similarly there was no effect on hoof growth, wear, hardness or conformation. Sole haemorrhages, indicative of subclinical laminitis, were observed throughout the experiment but were most severe at approximately 16 weeks after calving. Levels of heel erosion remained constant throughout. There was no significant effect of treatment on either heel or sole lesion formation. No significant differences were observed between treatments for milk yield, live weight, condition score or blood metabolites. The conclusions from this study were that source of dietary protein has no effect on dairy cow lameness or the development of sole lesions indicative of subclinical laminitis.

Keywords

dairy cattledietary proteinfoot diseaseslamenessmilk yield
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 65 , Issue 2 , October 1997 , pp. 143 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

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