Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T13:11:22.137Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Limitations of high Alpine grazing conditions for early-lactation cows: effects of energy and protein supplementation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2016

N. R. Berry ,
F. Sutter ,
R. M. Bruckmaier ,
J. W. Blum  and
M. Kreuzer
N. R. Berry
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Sciences, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), ETH Centre/LFW, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
F. Sutter
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Sciences, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), ETH Centre/LFW, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
R. M. Bruckmaier*
Affiliation:
Division of Nutritional Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland
J. W. Blum
Affiliation:
Division of Nutritional Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Berne, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland
M. Kreuzer*
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Sciences, Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), ETH Centre/LFW, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland
*
†Present address: Institute of Physiology, Technical University of Munich, D-85354 Freising, Germany.
‡Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected]
Get access

Abstract

In each of 2 years (years A and B), the effects of three nutritional regimes were examined using 12 cows kept at pasture for 77 days at 2000 m above sea level. Two supplement formulations (1 and 2) were designed, both equally high in readily fermentable energy (14·6 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg dry matter (DM)) but differing in crude protein content (53 and 193 g/kg DM). The treatments imposed were either pasture grass alone (control groups; both seasons) or grass and supplements provided at three levels relative to energy (E) and protein (P) maintenance requirements estimated for lowland conditions. These levels were (i) 1·0 E: 0·8 P provided by 4·6 kg of supplement 1 per day in both years; (ii) 0·5 E: 0·4 P provided by 2·2 kg of supplement 1 per day in year A; (iii) 1·0 E: 2·5 P provided by 4·4 kg of supplement 2 per day in year B. Intensive measurement periods, including food intake estimation by the double alkane technique, were carried out in weeks 3, 7 and 11 on Alpine pasture. Performance data, plasma levels of indicative blood traits and body condition were additionally monitored in the cows at a lowland site for 2 weeks prior to transport. Supplementing with a high energy/low protein concentrate gave no clear benefit in milk yield, which declined proportionately by 0·33 in the 11 weeks under Alpine conditions. Provision of additional supplementary protein (supplement 2) resulted in a proportionate decline in milk yield of only 0·20 over the 11-week period. Cows exhibited high substitution ratios of 1·4 to 2·6 kg herbage DM per kg concentrate DM and cows on all treatments were estimated to consume similar amounts of ME. A combination of reduced fibre intake and lower fibre digestibility with supplementation significantly reduced milk fat contents to low levels. Energy supplementation significantly reduced plasma β-hydroxybutyrate levels. However, live-weight and body tissue loss rates (based on ultrasonic scans of subcutaneous fat layer and longissimus dorsi muscle) were equally great with and without energy supplementation but less severe with extra protein (supplement 2). Adaptation to the high Alpine conditions was achieved in all treatments as indicated by increased blood haemoglobin, accompanied by a lower plasma level of insulin-like growth factor-I. Plasma thyroid hormone levels suggested that adaptation to energy deficiency and possibly to cold was more effective with supplementary energy. Other energy-dependent blood metabolites and insulin responded similarly in all treatments to high altitude grazing. Estimated maintenance energy requirement for Alpine conditions was 0·72 times greater than lowland maintenance requirement.

Keywords

dairy cowsenergy intakehigh altitudemetabolic studiesprotein intake.
Type
Ruminant nutrition, behaviour and production
Information
Animal Science , Volume 73 , Issue 1 , August 2001 , pp. 149 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2001

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

Aceves, C., Romero, C., Sahagun, L. and Valverde-R, C. 1987. Thyroid hormone profile in dairy cattle acclimated to cold or hot environmental temperatures. Acta Endocrinologica 114: 201–207.Google ScholarPubMed
Adam, I., Young, B. A., Nicol, A. M. and Degen, A. A. 1984. Energy cost of eating in cattle given diets of different form. Animal Production 38: 53–56.Google Scholar
Agricultural and Food Research Council. 1993. Energy and protein requirements of ruminants. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Bergner, H. 1994. Besonderheiten des Energieumsatzes beim Wiederkäuer aus ernährungsphysiologischer Sicht. Forschungsinstitut für die Biologie landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere (FBN) (ed. Matthes, H. D. and Derno, M.), vol. 7, pp. 6–17.Google Scholar
Berry, N. R., Scheeder, M. R. L., Sutter, F., Kröber, T. F. and Kreuzer, M. 2000. The accuracy of intake estimation based on the use of alkane controlled-release capsules and faeces grab sampling in cows. Annales de Zootechnie 49: 3–13.Google Scholar
Bianca, W. and Hays, F. L. 1977. Vergleichende Untersuchungen am Rind bei Stallhaltung im Tal und auf der Alp sowie bei Weidehaltung auf der Alp. Schweizerische Landwirtschaftliche Forschung 16: 215–234.Google Scholar
Bianca, W. and Näf, F. 1979. Responses of cattle to the combined exposure, to diurnal temperature rhythm (-5 to 25ºC) and to simulated high-altitude (4000 m). International Journal of Biometeorology 23: 299–310.Google Scholar
Bianca, W. and Puhan, Z. 1974. Untersuchungen über den Einfluss der Luftverdünnung auf einige physiologische Grössen von Kühen sowie auf die Menge und Beschaffenheit der Milch. Schweizerische Landwirtschaftliche Forschung 13: 463–489.Google Scholar
Blum, J. W., Bruckmaier, R. M., Vacher, P. Y., Münger, A. and Jans, F. 2000. Twentyfour-hour patterns of hormones and metabolites in week 9 and 19 of lactation in high yielding dairy cows fed triglycerides and free fatty acids. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A 47: 43–60.Google Scholar
Bovolenta, S., Ventura, W., Piasentier, E. and Malossini, F. 1998. Supplementation of dairy cows grazing an alpine pasture: effect of concentrate level on milk production, body condition and rennet coagulation properties. Annales de Zootechnie 47: 169–178.Google Scholar
Bruckmaier, R. M., Gregoretti, L., Jans, F., Faissler, D. and Blum, J. W. 1998. Longissimus dorsi muscle diameter, backfat thickness, body condition scores and skinfold values related to metabolic and endocrine traits in lactating dairy cows fed crystalline fat and free fatty acids. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A 45: 397–410.Google Scholar
Christen, R. E., Kunz, P. L., Langhans, W., Leuenberger, H., Sutter, F. and Kreuzer, M. 1996. Productivity, requirements and efficiency of feed and nitrogen utilization of grass-fed early lactating cows exposed to high Alpine conditions. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 76: 22–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coulon, J. B. and Pradel, P. 1997. Effect of walking on roughage intake and milk yield and composition of Montbéliarde and Tarantaise dairy cows. Annales de Zootechnie 46: 139–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Danfaer, A. 1999. Nutrient flow across the liver in dairy cows. Proceedings of the Society of Nutrition Physiology 8: 13–28.Google Scholar
Dillon, P., Crosse, S. and O’Brien, B. 1997. Effect of concentrate supplementation of grazing dairy cows in early lactation on milk production and milk processing quality. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 36: 145–159.Google Scholar
Edmonson, A. J., Lean, I. J., Weaver, L. D., Farver, T. and Webster, G. 1989. A body condition scoring chart for Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 72: 68–78.Google Scholar
Ferrer Cazcarra, R., Petit, M. and D’hour, P. 1995. The effect of sward height on grazing behaviour and herbage intake of three sizes of Charolais cattle grazing cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) swards. Animal Science 61: 511–518.Google Scholar
Forschungsanstalt für viehwirtschaftliche Produktion. 1994. Fütterungsempfehlungen und Nährwerttabellen für Wiederkäuer, third edition. Landwirtschaftliche Lehrmittelzentrale, Zollikofen, Switzerland.Google Scholar
Gueorguiev, I. P. 1999. Thyroxine and triodothyronine concentrations during lactation in dairy cows. Annales de Zootechnie 48: 477–480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hauwuy, A., Bornard, A., Coulon, J. B. and Haltel, L. 1993. Performances des vaches laitières en alpage: effet du niveau de la complémentation en aliment concentré. INRA Production Animales 6: 289–295.Google Scholar
Johnson, L. M., Harrison, J. H. and Riley, R. E. 1998. Estimation of the flow of microbial nitrogen to the duodenum using urinary uric acid or allantoin. Journal of Dairy Science 81: 2408–2420.Google Scholar
Kreuzer, M., Kirchgessner, M. and Blum, J. W. 1991. Konzentration von Hormonen und Stoffwechselparametern im Blutplasma von Kühen während und nach unterschiedlicher Rohproteinzufuhr. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 65: 11–20.Google Scholar
Kreuzer, M., Langhans, W., Sutter, F., Christen, R. E., Leuenberger, H. and Kunz, P. L. 1998. Metabolic response of early-lactating cows exposed to transport and high altitude grazing conditions. Animal Science 67: 237–248.Google Scholar
Kunz, P. L., Blum, J. W., Hart, I. C., Bickel, H. and Landis, J. 1985. Effects of different energy intakes before and after calving on food intake, performance and blood hormones and metabolites in dairy cows. Animal Production 40: 219–231.Google Scholar
Littell, R. C., Henry, P. R. and Ammerman, C. B. 1998. Statistical analysis of repeated measures data using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science 76: 1216–1231.Google Scholar
Malossini, F., Bovolenta, S., Piras, C. and Ventura, W. 1995. Effect of concentrate on herbage intake and milk yield of dairy cows grazing an alpine pasture. Livestock Production Science 43: 119–128.Google Scholar
Mayes, R. W., Lamb, C. S. and Colgrove, P. M. 1986. The use of dosed and herbage n-alkanes as markers for the determination of herbage intake. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 107: 161–170.Google Scholar
Meijer, G. A. L., Klop, A., Visser, H. de and Vuuren, A. M. van. 1999. Effect of starch on degradation of neutral detergent fibre in rumen and large intestine of dairy cows. Proceedings of the Society of Nutrition Physiology 8: 82.Google Scholar
Mertens, D. R. 1987. Prediction intake and digestibility using mathematical models of ruminal function. Journal of Animal Science 64: 1548–1558.Google Scholar
Naumann, K. and Bassler, R. 1997. Die chemische Untersuchung von Futtermitteln, Methodenbuch, vol. 3. VdLUFA-Verlag, Darmstadt, Germany.Google Scholar
Obara, Y., Dellow, D. W. and Nolan, J. V. 1991. The influence of energy-rich supplements on nitrogen kinetics in ruminants. In Physiological aspects of digestion and metabolism in ruminants: proceedings of the seventh international symposium on ruminant physiology (ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki and Kawashima, R.), pp. 515–539. Academic Press, San Diego, USA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oda, S., Nam, K. T. and Sasaki, Y. 1994. Effect of cold exposure on GH and IGF-I secretion in sheep. Proceedings of the Society of Nutrition Physiology 3: 274.Google Scholar
Ribeiro, J. M. de C. R., Brockway, J. M. and Webster, A. J. F. 1977. A note on the energy cost of walking in cattle. Animal Production 25: 107–110.Google Scholar
Roffler, R. E. and Satter, L. D. 1975. Relationship between ruminal ammonia and nonprotein nitrogen utilization by ruminants. II. Application of published evidence to the development of a theoretical model for predicting nonprotein nitrogen utilization. Journal of Dairy Science 58: 1880–1888.Google Scholar
Ronge, H., Blum, J. W., Clement, C., Jans, F., Leuenberger, H. and Binder, H. 1988. Somatomedin C in dairy cows related to energy and protein supply and to milk production. Animal Production 47: 165–183.Google Scholar
Rosskopf, R., Rainer, H. and Giesecke, D. 1991. Purin- und Pyrimidinmetaboliten zur Beurteilung des Pansenstoffwechsels: HPLC-Analysen in Milch und Blutplasma. Archives of Animal Nutrition 41: 411–426.Google Scholar
Statistical Analysis Systems Institute. 1996. SAS/STAT user’s guide: statistics, version 6·12, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC.Google Scholar
Van Soest, P. J., Robertson, J. B. and Lewis, B. A. 1991. Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74: 3583–3597.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Webster, J. 1993. Understanding the dairy cow. Blackwell Science Ltd, Oxford, UK.Google Scholar
Zemp, M., Blum, J. W., Leuenberger, H. and Künzi, N. 1989a. Influence of high altitude grazing on productive and physiological traits of dairy cows. II. Influence on hormones, metabolites and haematological parameters. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 106: 289–299.Google Scholar
Zemp, M., Leuenberger, H., Künzi, N. and Blum, J. W. 1989b. Influence of high altitude grazing on productive and physiological traits of dairy cows. I. Influence on milk production and body weight. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 106: 278–288.Google Scholar