Adding straw to a total mixed ration and the method of straw inclusion affects production and eating behaviour of lactating dairy cows

Humphries, D.J.; Beever, D. E.; Reynolds, Chris

doi:10.1017/s2040470010002384

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The perception that ration structure is unaffected by machine type or its operation is widespread among farmers and their advisors (Buckmaster, 2010). In a recent study (Humphries et al, 2010), cows fed a TMR prepared with a KMF mixer produced more milk (40.3 vs. 39.3 L/d) and additional milk protein compared with the same cows fed the same feed ingredients in a TMR prepared using a vertical auger mixer. Continuous measurement of rumen pH showed that KMF-fed cows spent 28% less time below pH 6.0 (5.28 vs. 7.29 h/d), whereas differences in the proportion of long particles and mean particle size (both larger for the vertical mixer than for KMF) decreased intake rate and increased total time spent eating when cows were fed from the vertical mixer.…”

Section: A System For Delivering Improved Dairy Cow Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Gaining from technology for improved dairy cow nutrition: Economic, environmental, and animal health benefits

Colman

Beever

Jolly

et al. 2011

The Professional Animal Scientist

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Section: A System For Delivering Improved Dairy Cow Nutritionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Gaining from technology for improved dairy cow nutrition: Economic, environmental, and animal health benefits

Colman

Beever

Jolly

et al. 2011

The Professional Animal Scientist

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“…Feeding MR is an effective method to provide all the required nutrients to dairy cows, and a properly mixed ration ensures a uniform delivery of all feed ingredient to the animal (Coppock et al, 1981). Mixer wagons and mixing protocols can however, influence particle size distribution and result in differences in feed intake and milk yield, particularly for rations with longer chop lengths (Humphries et al, 2010). Heinrichs et al (1999) also reported that processing by the mixer wagon prior to feed-out can have a large effect on the particle size and peNDF subsequently fed and the consistency of the mix.…”

Section: Variability In Ration Mixingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mixing protocols have been shown to affect feed intake and milk yield, particularly in rations containing longer chop lengths (Humphries et al, 2010;Maulfair and Henrichs 2010). Consideration should therefore also be given to the effect of particle size and consistency of mixing on the degree of diet selection by dairy cows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Particle size distribution of forages and mixed rations, and their relationship with ration variability and performance of UK dairy herds

et al. 2018

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The particle size of the ration has been proposed as a key factor, along with its fibre and non-forage carbohydrate concentration, to ensure healthy rumen function and optimal performance of dairy cows. The current particle size distribution recommendations for forages and rations are primarily based on lucerne-haylage and maize silage (MS) and may not be suitable for the wetter grass silage (GS) based rations typically fed in Northern Europe. In order to characterize the particle size distribution of forages and rations in the UK, fifty commercial dairy herds feeding a range of GS and MS based rations were sampled during the winter of 2015/2016. The particle size distribution of the fresh forages and mixed rations (MR; total and partial mixed rations) were analysed using a modified Penn State Particle Separator with six screens of hole size 60, 44, 26.9, 19, 8, and 4 mm. The fresh MR was collected at 5-equally-spaced locations along the length of the feed-face for each herd within 5-min of feeding to determine the consistency of ration mixing, and again from the same locations 4h post-feeding. Grass silage was the main forage fed on 50 herds, with 80.3% of the dry matter (DM) being retained above the 19 mm sieve, which is considerably higher than the North-American recommendations for lucernehaylage. The particle size distribution of MS followed the general recommendations for North American forages, however, the 8-19 mm fraction was higher and the <4 mm lower. The >60 mm fraction of the MR had the lowest (0.1% DM) DM retention, and the 8-19 mm fraction the highest (34.9% DM). The MR had a higher proportion of particles retained on the 26.9 mm sieve when GS was the sole forage. Fifty eight % of herds were considered to have either moderately or poorly mixed rations, whilst 66% had evidence of diet selection 3 (either preferential consumption or selective refusals). Particle size of the MR accounted for 33% of the variance in the milk fat content and 12% of milk yield. In conclusion, the particle size distribution of the GS and MR fed on UK dairy herds is different from the current recommendations, suggesting that the particle size of UK dairy rations is too long or new guidelines using additional sieves with larger pore sizes are required. There is also a high proportion of herds with poor mixing and/or evidence of diet selection.

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“…Allen et al (2009) stated that diets with moderate forage fiber concentrations benefit cows in early lactation. Some studies have shown that adding finely chopped straw to a TMR at 4% of DM made no difference to feed intake and milk yield in multiparous lactating cows (Humphries et al, 2010), and that the inclusion of small quantities of straw in the diets of dairy cows in mid-lactation resulted in small increases in DMI (Ferris et al, 2000). These differences in DMI response to straw could be attributed to differences in stage of lactation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addition of straw to the early-lactation diet: Effects on feed intake, milk yield, and subclinical ketosis in Holstein cows

Seifi

Huzzey

Khan

et al. 2021

Journal of Dairy Science

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This study evaluated feed intake, milk yield, and subclinical ketosis in dairy cows in early lactation fed 2 different diets postpartum. Cows are typically offered a high-energy ration immediately after calving. We compared a conventional high-energy total mixed ration (TMR) with a transition ration that contained chopped straw. We predicted that adding chopped straw would increase dry matter intake, milk production, and indicators of energy metabolism during the first 3 wk of lactation compared to cows fed a conventional highenergy TMR. We also predicted that carryover effects would be likely for at least 2 wk after treatment ended. A total of 68 mixed-age Holstein cows were enrolled in the study 3 wk before their expected calving. All cows were managed on a single high-forage diet during the dry period. At calving, cows were allocated to 1 of the 2 diets: half to the conventional high-energy TMR (CTMR; n = 34; net energy for lactation = 1.61 Mcal/ kg; neutral detergent fiber = 31.7%), and the other half to a high-forage TMR containing chopped wheat straw, equivalent to 4.27% dry matter (STMR; n = 34; net energy for lactation = 1.59 Mcal/kg; neutral detergent fiber = 33.7%) for 3 wk after calving. Cows on STMR were then shifted to CTMR for the next 2 wk to study short-term residual effects on the performance of cows. Treatments were balanced for parity, body condition score, and body weight. Feed intake was measured daily from 2 wk before to 5 wk after calving using automatic feed bins. Blood was sampled twice weekly from 2 wk before to 5 wk after calving, and β-hydroxybutyrate and glucose were measured in serum samples. Subclinical ketosis was identified using a threshold of β-hydroxybutyrate ≥1.0 mmol/L in wk 1 after calving and ≥1.2 mmol/L in wk 2 to 5 after calving. Cows were milked twice daily, and weekly samples (composite samples of morning and afternoon milkings) were analyzed to determine total solids, fat, protein, lactose, and somatic cell count. Data were analyzed in 2 separate periods: the treatment phase (wk +1, +2, and +3) and the post-treatment phase (wk +4 and +5). The addition of straw to the TMR negatively affected the dry matter intake of STMR cows during wk 2 and 3 of lactation. Daily milk yield during the first 5 wk of lactation was lower in STMR cows than in CTMR cows. Concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate were higher in CTMR cows than in STMR cows during wk 1, but this effect was reversed during wk 2 and 3 of lactation. By 21 d in milk, STMR cows had a greater risk of developing subclinical ketosis than CTMR cows. Adding chopped wheat straw to the TMR during the first 21 d after calving lowered dry matter intake and provided no metabolic or production benefits to lactating dairy cattle.

show abstract

Adding straw to a total mixed ration and the method of straw inclusion affects production and eating behaviour of lactating dairy cows

Cited by 5 publications

References 2 publications

Gaining from technology for improved dairy cow nutrition: Economic, environmental, and animal health benefits

Gaining from technology for improved dairy cow nutrition: Economic, environmental, and animal health benefits

Particle size distribution of forages and mixed rations, and their relationship with ration variability and performance of UK dairy herds

Addition of straw to the early-lactation diet: Effects on feed intake, milk yield, and subclinical ketosis in Holstein cows

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