Effects of limit‐feeding diets with different forage‐to‐concentrate ratios on nutrient intake, rumination, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, blood parameters and growth in Holstein heifers

Abstract

The objective of this study was using a wide range of dietary concentrate levels to investigate the major effects of limit-feeding on heifers. Twenty-four Holstein heifers were blocked into six groups and fed with one of four diets containing different levels of concentrate (20%, 40%, 60% and 80% on a dry matter (DM) basis) but with same intakes of metabolizable energy for 28 days. Increasing levels of dietary concentrate caused decreased (P ≤ 0.02) intakes of dry matter (DMI) and neutral detergent fiber and total rumination time, but increased (P < 0.01) nonfiberous carbohydrates intake, ruminal concentrations of NH -N, propionate and butyrate, and digestibility of DM and crude protein. Dietary concentrate levels had no significant effect on most plasma concentrations and body measurements. The corrected average daily gain (CADG) and feed efficency (ADG/DMI, CFE) were linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary concentrate levels when gut fill impact was removed. In conclusion, heifers limit-fed high concentrate diets increased most ruminal fermentation parameters, CADG and CFE with similar body growth and blood metabolites as heifers fed low concentrate diets, and had the potential to be used as an effective feeding strategy in dairy heifers.

Effect of Limit-Fed Diets With Different Forage to Concentrate Ratios on Fecal Bacterial and Archaeal Community Composition in Holstein Heifers

“… b SEM, standard error of the mean . c Estimate by DM intake × (1- apparent DM digestibility); the values of DM intake and apparent DM digestibility were shown in our previous study (Zhang et al, 2018 ) . C20, diet contained 20% of concentrate; C40, diet contained 40% of concentrate; C60, diet contained 60% of concentrate; C80, diet contained 80% of concentrate .…”

“…Twenty-four half-sib Holstein heifers (8–10 months old and 263 ± 30 kg body weight) with similar initial body condition (2.73 ± 0.03 using a five-point system body condition score) were assigned into one of four F:C treatments: 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, and 20:80, on a dry matter (DM) basis; the groups were named C20, C40, C60, and C80, respectively (Table S1 ). Corn silage was used as the sole forage resource, as reported in our previous study (Zhang et al, 2018 ). Before transfer to treatment diets, all heifers were fed an adaptation diet containing 50% forage and 50% concentrate (DM basis; Table S1 ) for 4 weeks.…”

Feed restriction of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in the final third of lactation modifies intake, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, and performance

“…In dairy cattle, the lactation phase as well as the genetic factor influence milk production (Santos et al, 2012). In this study with F1 cows in the late lactation, the reduction in milk production is mainly due to the reduction in nutrient, protein, and energy intake required for rumen microbial growth, as verified by Zhang et al (2017). Through compilation, Gabbi et al (2016) found that for Jersey and Holstein cows, 40 and 50% of dietary restriction reduced milk production by 14.2 and 40.9%, respectively.…”

“…The confinement of dairy animals has been a tool exploited by farmers, although the cost of feed increases considerably, and it is a major challenge to maintain production and competitiveness in the market. Therefore, Zhang et al (2017) proposed that restriction in diet supply might be an important strategy in the management of confined cattle to reduce feed costs, which may represent more than 60% of the total production cost. However, the restriction in the diet supply can promote rapid mobilization Feed restriction of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in the final third of lactation modifies intake, nutrient digestibility... Santana et al…”

The role of roughage provision on the absorption and disposition of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and its acetylated derivatives in calves: from field observations to toxicokinetics

“…In the beef industry, rations are very variable. Some farms are known to feed a ration with a low roughage to feed concentrate ratio in order to maximize energy intake and growth, leading to a delay of ruminal development and fermentation (Zhang et al 2018). In contrast, the veal industry is highly integrated, and the diet is similar for all farms.…”