Theme 19: Use of Supplements
Publication Date
2001
Location
Brazil
Description
Reports of the depression in dry matter intake in the periparturient period have been inconsistent and little dry matter intake data is available for an all-forage diet prior to calving. Data to examine intake depression prior to calving was obtained from two experiments. In experiment 1, sixteen non-lactating, periparturient cows ate 1.3% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for two weeks pre-calving (restricted). Experiment 2 comprised thiry-six cows that ate 1.6% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for the final two weeks of pregnancy (ad libitum). Individual dry matter intakes were recorded for 14 days pre-calving. Intake pre-calving was not depressed, irrespective of feeding level, until two days pre-calving. This suggests that when an all-forage diet is fed pre-calving, increasing the energy density of the diet to compensate for a depression in dry matter intake may not be necessary.
Citation
Roche, J. R.; Dalley, Dawn E.; O’Mara, F.; and Kolver, E. S., "Dry Matter Intake of Periparturient Cows on a Fresh Pasture/Pasture-Hay Diet" (2001). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 6.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/19/6)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Dry Matter Intake of Periparturient Cows on a Fresh Pasture/Pasture-Hay Diet
Brazil
Reports of the depression in dry matter intake in the periparturient period have been inconsistent and little dry matter intake data is available for an all-forage diet prior to calving. Data to examine intake depression prior to calving was obtained from two experiments. In experiment 1, sixteen non-lactating, periparturient cows ate 1.3% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for two weeks pre-calving (restricted). Experiment 2 comprised thiry-six cows that ate 1.6% of pre-calving body weight of grass-hay and freshly cut grass for the final two weeks of pregnancy (ad libitum). Individual dry matter intakes were recorded for 14 days pre-calving. Intake pre-calving was not depressed, irrespective of feeding level, until two days pre-calving. This suggests that when an all-forage diet is fed pre-calving, increasing the energy density of the diet to compensate for a depression in dry matter intake may not be necessary.
