Day-to-Day Variation in the Feed Consumption of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation

A final 9-wk experiment studied the performance of 24 Holstein cows during the transition period. Cows were assigned to either a control or a liquid-flavored (0.52 ml/kg of feed) totally mixed ration in a randomized complete-block design. Weekly means of DMI, milk production, and body weight were analyzed. Individual cow daily DMI data were fitted to the exponential model. There was no effect of treatment on these variables or the fractional rates of increase in DMI. Multiple regression analysis suggested that more body weight was mobilized per unit increase in 3.5% fat-corrected milk in cows fed the control diet, and those cows tended to be in more negative energy balance than cows fed the flavored diet. Parameters of both the exponential and cosinor models were associated with various pre- and post-parturn production variables. Plasma progesterone concentrations were positively correlated with DMI. It was concluded that feeding the flavor improved the energy balance of cows in early lactation and may reduce the risk of health or reproductive problems. Overall, the exponential model was consistently more accurate and robust than the current NRC equation. Together with cosinor model it explained most of the day-to-day variation in the feed consumption of dairy cows in early lactation. The association between plasma progesterone and DMI was also confirmed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2001

Author dc:creator

• Shah, Mohammad Abid Pervez

Contributors dc:contributor

• Murphy, Michael R.

• Biology, Animal Physiology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3030478

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/83538