The Effects of a Short-term Increase in Supplementation on the Reproduction Performance in Lactating Crossbred Dairy Cows

Abstract

The hypothesis that dairy cows partially suckling their calves would ovulate following removal of calves when restored to positive energy balance by a short-term increase in supplementation was investigated in 65 crossbred cows. Five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5) that differed in the amount of total concentrate fed from calving to week 24 were involved. Calves were allowed to suck residual milk to 12 weeks of age. Energy balance was estimated by measuring intake, milk yield and organic matter digestibility. The occurrence of ovulation was determined by the analysis of milk progesterone (P4) concentration. Four groups that were receiving additional supplementation were restored to positive energy balance, while the control group (T1) remained in negative energy balance. The percentage of cows ovulating was 36%, 58%, 92%, 90% and 60% for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively (p = 0.026). Comparison of the timing of ovulation for combined results from T1+T2 and T3+T4+T5 estimated mean time to fail to ovulate as 110+/-9.0 and 87+/-7.6 days, respectively (p = 0.023). The percentage of the cows showing oestrus was 9%, 8%, 33%, 40% and 40% for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively (p = 0.197). Short-term increases in supplementation are unlikely to be an attractive means of reducing calving intervals.

Effect of pre-partum feed supplementation on post-partum ovarian activity, milk production and calf growth of small holder dairy Cattle in Cameroon

“…This is an indication of infections and it shows the need for veterinary intervention for many cows in these systems. Post-partum anoestrus was lower in this study compared to the work of Msangi et al (2004)with low supplementation leading to a period of 110±9 days and high supplementation 87±7.6 days. Similar results were reported by Cavestany et al (2003)withHolstein cows (49.9±7.1 days).…”

Economic opportunity survey of small scale dairy farms of the north west province of Cameroon

“…Milk-productionper-cow could probably be improved by offering more forage to lactating cows. Most zero grazed Holstein cows of this region are undernourished (Bayemi et al 2005b) and restricted cows in zero grazing systems are not usually offered enough forage (Msangi et al 2004). Hay is not common in the region and silage is not produced at all.…”

Blood metabolite concentration, milk yield, resumption of ovarian activity and conception in grazing dual purpose cows supplemented with concentrate during the post‐partum period

“…It has been demonstrated in a number of studies that feed supplementation improves growth, milk yield and reproductive performance in cattle grazing tropical and subtropical forages (Msangi et al . ; Karikari et al . ; Filho et al .…”

“…Thus, the provision of appropriate supplementary feed to complement nutritional needs would be required to enhance productivity of these breeds in the production system. It has been demonstrated in a number of studies that feed supplementation improves growth, milk yield and reproductive performance in cattle grazing tropical and subtropical forages (Msangi et al 2004;Karikari et al 2008;Filho et al 2014;Selemani & Eik 2016;Almeida 2017;da Silva et al 2017). Apart from a few studies (Teye et al 2010;Obese et al 2018), information is limited on the effect of feed supplementation on growth, milk yield, metabolic status and reproductive performance of Sanga cattle and its crossbred Friesian 9 Sanga in the extensive system of production in the coastal savannah zone in Ghana This study therefore, evaluated the effects of feed supplementation on milk yield, metabolic status, resumption of ovarian activity and conception in grazing Sanga and Friesian 9 Sanga cows during the post-partum period.…”