title: Effect of concentrate feeding method on the performance of dairy cows in early to mid lactation.
abstract: The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of concentrate feeding method on milk yield and composition, dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), body weight and body condition score, reproductive performance, energy balance, and blood metabolites of housed (i.e., accommodated indoors) dairy cows in early to mid lactation. Eighty-eight multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were managed on 1 of 4 concentrate feeding methods (CFM; 22 cows per CFM) for the first 21 wk postpartum. Cows on all 4 CFM were offered grass silage plus maize silage (in a 70:30 ratio on a DM basis) ad libitum throughout the study. In addition, cows had a target concentrate allocation of 11 kg/cow per day (from d 13 postpartum) via 1 of 4 CFM, consisting of (1) offered on a flat-rate basis via an out-of-parlor feeding system, (2) offered based on individual cow's milk yields in early lactation via an out-of-parlor feeding system, (3) offered as part of a partial mixed ration (target intake of 5 kg/cow per day) with additional concentrate offered based on individual cow's milk yields in early lactation via an out-of-parlor feeding system, and (4) offered as part of a partial mixed ration containing a fixed quantity of concentrate for each cow in the group. In addition, all cows were offered 1 kg/cow per day of concentrate pellets via an in-parlor feeding system. We detected no effect of CFM on concentrate or total DMI, mean daily milk yield, concentrations and yields of milk fat and protein, or metabolizable energy intakes, requirements, or balances throughout the study. We also found no effects of CFM on mean or final body weight, mean or final body condition score, conception rates to first service, or any of the blood metabolites examined. The results of this study suggest that CFM has little effect on the overall performance of higher-yielding dairy cows in early to mid lactation when offered diets based on conserved forages.
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6DR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: peter.purcell86@gmail.com.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6DR, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Finance and Corporate Affairs Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, 18a Newforge Lane, Belfast, County Antrim, BT9 5PX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Stoney Road, Stormont, Belfast, County Antrim, BT4 3SD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McGettrick
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, County Down, BT26 6DR, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ferris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010298:Parity; D006109:Poaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012820:Silage; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: concentrate feeding method; confinement; feed-to-yield; flat-rate; total mixed ration