Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-jwnkl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-15T18:41:43.307Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A study of factors affecting the efficiency of feed conversion in Red Danish heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. B. Owen  and
E. Nielsen
J. B. Owen
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Cambridge, and National Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, Copenhagen
E. Nielsen
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, Cambridge, and National Research Institute of Animal Husbandry, Copenhagen
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Data from 692 daughters of 38 Red Danish bulls, tested as heifers in the Danish cattle progeny testing stations 1963–64, were analysed to provide information on the efficiency of feed utilization by dairy cows. The results showed that because of, the feeding system adopted, efficiency measured as FCM per food unit was automatically closely related to FCM yield.

Analysis based on pooled, within-bull, values showed that (a) both efficiency and FCM were negatively associated with body-weight gain during lactation, suggesting that feed allowances per unit FCM were low in relation to those for maintenance, (b) weight measured after calving was positively associated with efficiency and FCM yield whereas the association of these latter variables with weight at the end of the winter period was negative, and (c) the gain in weight during lactation was much lower in cows heavy at calving and higher in those heavy at the end of the winter.

The between-bull correlations, although less reliable than the within-bull values, clearly indicated that the selection for FCM yield would result in increased cow weight.

It is suggested that the selection of dairy cattle should not be based solely on milk yield but that suitable adjustments should be made so that selection for efficiency is safeguarded. Quantitative assessment of such adjustments would necessitate changing feeding procedures at central testing stations.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , June 1968 , pp. 245 - 252
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1968

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

REFERENCES

A.R.C. (1965.) Nutrient Requirements of Farm Livestock. No. 2. Ruminants. London: A.R.C.Google Scholar
Blaxter, K. L. & Wainman, F. W. (1966). The fasting metabolism of cattle. Br. J. Nutr. 22, 103–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brody, S. (1945). Bioenergetics and Growth. New York: Rheinhold Publishing Co.Google Scholar
Conrad, H. R., Pratt, A. D. & Hibbs, J. W. (1964). Regulation of feed intake in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sd. 47, 54–62.Google Scholar
Csomós, Z. (1965). The relation between body weight and lactation yield in Hungarian Spotted Cows. Allattenyesztes 14, 101. From A.B.A. 33, 544 (Abstr. 3228).Google Scholar
Davis, J. P., Morgan, R. F. & Gaines, W. L. (1943). Liveweight and milk energy yield in the Nebraska Station Dairy herd. J. Dairy Sci. 26, 625–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gaines, W. L. (1941). Liveweight of cow at various stages of lactation in relation to milk energy yield. J. Dairy Sci. 24, 795–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harville, D. A. & Henderson, C. R. (1966). Interrelationships among age, body weight and production traits during first lactation of dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 49, 1254–61.Google Scholar
Hofmeyer, J. (1956). A study of Danish and Swedish progeny testing methods for dairy bulls. Kungl. Lantbrukshogskolans Annaler. 22, 425–88.Google Scholar
Holmes, W. & Jones, J. G. W. (1964). The efficiency of utilization of fresh grass. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 23, 88–99.Google Scholar
Johansson, I. (1954). An analysis of data from the Danish bull progeny testing station. Z. Tierzücht. u. Züchtbiol. 63, 105–26.Google Scholar
Johansson, I. (1962). Genetic Aspects of Dairy Cattle Breeding. Edinburgh & London: Oliver & Boyd.Google Scholar
Kleiber, M. & Mead, S. W. (1945). Body size and lactation rate. J. Dairy Sci. 28, 49–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, I. L. (1953). Bull progeny testing in Denmark. Proc. Br. Soc. Anim. Prod. 1952, 106–21.Google Scholar
Mason, T. L., Robertson, A. & Gjelstad, B. (1957). The genetic connection between body size, milk production and efficiency in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Res. 24, 135–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mcdowell, J. C. (1930). Within the Breed the Big Dairy Cows Excel. USD A, circ. no. 114.Google Scholar
Neilsen, E. (1962). Afkomsprover med tyre 1945–60. Beretn. Forsegslab. no. 333.Google Scholar
Neilsen, E., Nielsen, A. & Vesth, B. (1965). Afkoms. prover med tyre. Beretn. Forsegslab. no. 348.Google Scholar
Owen, J. B., Miller, E. L. & Bridge, P. S. (1967). The voluntary food intake and efficiency of production of cows fed ad libitum. Proc. IX Int. Cong. Anim. Prod. p. 45.Google Scholar
Plowman, R. D., Hooven, N. W Jr & Harvey, W. R (1963). A genetic study of feed efficiency in Holstein Friesian cattle. Proc. XI Int. Cong. Genet. vol. 1, p. 266.Google Scholar
Sutherland, T. M. (1965). The correlation between feed efficiency and rate of gain, a ratio and its denominator. Biometrics. 21, 739.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, H. N. (1959). Ratios as criteria for selection in animal or plant breeding, with particular reference to efficiency of feed conversion in sheep. Aust. J. Agric. Res. 10, 565–80.Google Scholar
Venge, O. (1956). Genetic differences in feed utilisation in dairy cattle. Z. Tierzücht. u. ZüchtBiol. 67, 147–58.CrossRefGoogle Scholar