Influence of Moisture Content of Mixed Rations on Feed Intake and Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Robinson, Paul H.; Burgess, P. L.; McQueen, R. E.

doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(90)78979-5

Cited by 21 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Despite a 1.4-kg numerical decrease in DMI, the addition of water to the basal TMR had no significant effect on DMI (Table 3); other researchers have also shown no effect of water addition on DMI (Robinson et al, 1990;Leonardi et al, 2005). This, however, was contrary to our hypothesis because it contrasts our previous findings, whereby we found linear decreases in DMI with the addition of water to a TMR containing all wet forages (Miller-Cushon and DeVries, 2009;Felton and DeVries, 2010).…”

contrasting

confidence: 99%

Short communication: Varying dietary dry matter concentration through water addition: Effect on nutrient intake and sorting of dairy cows in late lactation

Fish

DeVries

2012

Journal of Dairy Science

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The objective of this study was to determine if feed sorting can be reduced and if nutrient consumption can be limited in late-lactation cows through water addition to a nutrient-dense total mixed ration (TMR) with a dry matter (DM) content greater than 60%. Twelve lactating Holstein cows (214.8±28.5 d in milk) were exposed to 2 diets in a crossover design with 28-d periods. Diets had the same ingredient composition and differed only in DM percentage, which was reduced by the addition of water. Treatment diets were (1) dry TMR (61.7% DM) and (2) wet TMR (51.9% DM). Dry matter intake and milk production (4% fat-corrected milk; FCM) were recorded for the last 14 d of each treatment period. For the final 4 d of each period, fresh feed and orts were sampled for particle size analysis and subsequent calculation of sorting activity (expressed as a percentage of predicted intake). Adding water to the diet tended to decrease the amount of DM in the fine particle fraction, increase starch concentration in the longer ration particles, and reduce starch concentration in the shortest ration particles. All cows sorted against long ration particles; the extent of this sorting did not differ between the dry and wet treatments (72.9 vs. 77.6%). There tended to be more sorting for fine ration particles on the dry diet compared with the wet (106.3 vs. 104.0%). Water addition had no effect on production, with similar DMI (27.9 vs. 26.5 kg/d), 4% FCM (28.7 vs. 27.6 kg/d), and efficiency of production (0.98 vs. 1.00 kg of 4% FCM/kg of DMI) between the dry and wet treatments. Adding water to a TMR with greater than 60% DM containing primarily haylage and corn silage forage sources may change ration particle DM distribution and particle starch content, possibly contributing to less sorting for the smallest ration particles. This research does not provide evidence that water addition to such a TMR can effectively limit DMI in late-lactation cows and, thus, improve efficiency of milk production.

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confidence: 99%

Short communication: Varying dietary dry matter concentration through water addition: Effect on nutrient intake and sorting of dairy cows in late lactation

Fish

DeVries

2012

Journal of Dairy Science

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“…kale, rape) forages reduced DMI via the gut fill effect of intracellular water. Forage intake may be restricted by the time required for cell rupture and the release of water for passage from the rumen (Robinson et al, 1990). Verite and Journet (1970) reported that when water content of fresh perennial ryegrass and forage legumes was greater than 75-85%, forage DM intake decreased in cattle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

A note on the effect of dietary proportions of kale (Brassica oleracea) and grass silage on rumen pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations in dry dairy cows

et al. 2009

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“…In these two trials, the grass was immersed completely in tanks filled with water and then drained for 5 min before being offered to the cows. On the contrary, the addition of water onto conserved forage does not modify the DM intake [29].…”

Section: External Water and Intakementioning

confidence: 93%

The addition of external water to fresh grass does not affect dry matter intake, feeding behaviour and rumen characteristics in dairy cows

et al. 2003

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-Fresh grass is often a fodder of high nutritive value for ruminants, but its intake is limited in spite of its high digestibility. The high water content of fresh grass could limit grass DM intake by cows. The effect of external water on intake, feeding behaviour and rumen fill was studied in dairy cows fed indoors with fresh perennial ryegrass offered ad libitum. Three treatments were compared: fresh grass as harvested (C: control); C with water added to the grass (SW: surface water) and C with perfusion of water in the rumen after each distribution (PW: perfused water). Grass was offered to cows at 14:00 h, 19:00 h on each day and 07:00 h the following morning. Free access was given to drinking water. In treatment SW, the DM content of the offered grass was reduced from 161 to 117 g·kg -1 on a fresh basis (P < 0.02) without changing the chemical composition of the grass on a DM basis. Compared to C and PW, the fresh matter intake and its rate of intake increased in SW (+ 36 and 39%, respectively), but the grass DM intake (16.4 kg DM·day -1 ), the rate of DM intake (35.3 g DM·min -1 ), the daily eating time (468 min) and rumination time (515 min) were not modified. Perfusion of water into the rumen did not affect intake or feeding behaviour. The weight of the rumen contents (150 kg) and their DM content (115 g·kg -1 fresh matter), rumen fluid osmolality, as well as proportions of free water and bound water and turnover rate were not modified by the treatments. In conclusion, for dairy cows fed on grass, important inputs of external water do not affect feeding behaviour, rumen fill nor grass DM intake. dairy cows / fresh grass / surface water / intake / behaviour / rumen fill Résumé -L'addition d'eau externe à l'herbe verte n'affecte pas la quantité de matière sèche ingérée, le comportement alimentaire ou les caractéristiques du rumen chez la vache laitière. L'herbe fraîche est un aliment de bonne valeur alimentaire pour les ruminants mais son ingestion par les vaches laitières reste limitée au regard de sa digestibilité. La forte teneur en eau de l'herbe fraîche pourrait limiter la quantité ingérée de MS d'herbe. L'effet de l'eau externe à la plante sur l'ingestion, (515 min) n'ont pas été modifiées. Perfuser l'eau dans le rumen n'a affecté ni l'ingestion ni le comportement alimentaire. Le poids total du contenu du rumen (150 kg), la teneur en MS du contenu (115 g·kg -1 ), l'osmolarité du liquide ruminal, la proportion d'eau libre et d'eau liée ainsi que le taux de renouvellement des liquides n'ont pas été modifiés par les traitements. En conclusion, pour des vaches en production nourries à l'herbe, un apport même important d'eau externe ne constitue pas de limite à la prise alimentaire, ni à l'encombrement dans le rumen, et n'affecte pas la quantité de MS d'herbe ingérée.vache laitière / herbe verte / eau externe / ingestion / comportement alimentaire / encombrement

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Influence of Moisture Content of Mixed Rations on Feed Intake and Milk Production of Dairy Cows

Cited by 21 publications

References 7 publications

Short communication: Varying dietary dry matter concentration through water addition: Effect on nutrient intake and sorting of dairy cows in late lactation

Short communication: Varying dietary dry matter concentration through water addition: Effect on nutrient intake and sorting of dairy cows in late lactation

A note on the effect of dietary proportions of kale (Brassica oleracea) and grass silage on rumen pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations in dry dairy cows

The addition of external water to fresh grass does not affect dry matter intake, feeding behaviour and rumen characteristics in dairy cows

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