Whole-tract dry matter and nitrogen digestibility of lactating dairy cows selected for phenotypic divergence in residual feed intake
J. B. Thornhill A C , L. C. Marett A , M. J. Auldist A , J. S. Greenwood A , J. E. Pryce B , B. J. Hayes B and W. J. Wales AA Agriculture Research and Development Division, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.
B Biosciences Research Division, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, AgriBio, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: josie.thornhill@depi.vic.gov.au
Animal Production Science 54(9) 1460-1464 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14200
Submitted: 11 March 2014 Accepted: 11 June 2014 Published: 23 July 2014
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to compare the whole-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows selected for divergent feed conversion efficiency. The experiment used 16 primiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows selected based on their residual feed intake (RFI) measured as growing calves. The cows were housed in individual metabolism stalls and fed lucerne cubes ad libitum plus 6 kg DM per day of crushed wheat grain. Feed intake, milk yield, faecal and urine output were measured for 5 days. Rumen fluid was collected per os from each cow on one occasion. Milk production parameters and intakes of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and N did not differ between RFI groups. Apparent whole-tract DM digestibility and N digestibility did not differ between RFI treatment groups. Rumen metabolites were also unaffected by RFI. In conclusion, divergence in RFI as calves was not associated with differences in whole-tract DM or N digestibility in lactating cows. Therefore, emphasis on selection for phenotypic divergence in RFI may not contribute to improved utilisation of consumed nutrients in Australian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.
Additional keywords: digestion, energy partioning, feed conversion efficiency, Holstein-Friesian.
References
AFIA (2009) ‘AFIA – laboratory methods manual.’ (Australian Fodder Industry Association: Melbourne)Beever DE, Doyle PT (2007) Feed conversion efficiency as a key determinant of dairy herd performance: a review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 645–657.
| Feed conversion efficiency as a key determinant of dairy herd performance: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cruz GD, Rodríguez-Sánchez JA, Oltjen JW, Sainz RD (2010) Performance, residual feed intake, digestibility, carcass traits, and profitability of Angus-Hereford steers housed in individual or group pens. Journal of Animal Science 88, 324–329.
| Performance, residual feed intake, digestibility, carcass traits, and profitability of Angus-Hereford steers housed in individual or group pens.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXls1yqtQ%3D%3D&md5=cf42dcb5121f6a6c355b227a20055601CAS | 19749019PubMed |
Di HJ, Cameron KC (2005) Reducing environmental impacts of agriculture by using a fine particle suspension nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrate leaching from grazed pastures. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 109, 202–212.
| Reducing environmental impacts of agriculture by using a fine particle suspension nitrification inhibitor to decrease nitrate leaching from grazed pastures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herd RM, Oddy VH, Richardson EC (2004) Biological basis for variation in residual feed intake in beef cattle. 1. Review of potential mechanisms. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 44, 423–430.
| Biological basis for variation in residual feed intake in beef cattle. 1. Review of potential mechanisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ho CK, Nesseler R, Doyle P, Malcolm B (2006) Future dairy farming systems in irrigation regions. Australasian Farm Business Management 2, 59–68.
Koch RM, Swiger LA, Chambers D, Gregory KE (1963) Efficiency of feed use in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 22, 486–494.
Lawrence P, Kenny DA, Earley B, Crews DH, McGee M (2011) Grass silage intake, rumen and blood variables, ultrasonic and body measurements, feeding behavior, and activity in pregnant beef heifers differing in phenotypic residual feed intake. Journal of Animal Science 89, 3248–3261.
| Grass silage intake, rumen and blood variables, ultrasonic and body measurements, feeding behavior, and activity in pregnant beef heifers differing in phenotypic residual feed intake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1Onsr7I&md5=4fc38be5c6cf0fac7d54b37e132b8692CAS | 21622881PubMed |
Lines D, Pitchford W, Botteme C, Herd R, Oddy H (2014) Selection for residual feed intake affects appetite and body composition rather than energetic efficiency. Animal Production Science
| Selection for residual feed intake affects appetite and body composition rather than energetic efficiency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | in press.
Macdonald KA, Pryce JE, Spelman RJ, Davis SR, Wales WJ, Waghorn GC, Williams YJ, Marett LC, Hayes BJ (2014) Holstein-Friesian calves selected for divergence in residual feed intake during growth exhibited significant but reduced residual feed intake divergence in their first lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 1427–1435.
| Holstein-Friesian calves selected for divergence in residual feed intake during growth exhibited significant but reduced residual feed intake divergence in their first lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXisV2nsw%3D%3D&md5=c85a6401c31670d66b82e155e486c834CAS | 24377796PubMed |
National Health and Medical Research Council (2004) ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.’ 7th edn. (Australian Government: Canberra)
Nkrumah JD, Okine EK, Mathison GW, Schmid K, Li C, Basarab JA, Price MA, Wang Z, Moore SS (2006) Relationships of feedlot feed efficiency, performance, and feeding behavior with metabolic rate, methane production, and energy partitioning in beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 84, 145–153.
NRC (2001) ‘Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle.’ 7th rev. edn. 264. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)
Pryce JE, Arias J, Bowman PJ, Davis SR, Macdonald KA, Waghorn GC, Wales WJ, Williams YJ, Spelman RJ, Hayes BJ (2012) Accuracy of genomic predictions of residual feed intake and 250-day body weight in growing heifers using 625 000 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 2108–2119.
| Accuracy of genomic predictions of residual feed intake and 250-day body weight in growing heifers using 625 000 single nucleotide polymorphism markers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XkslejtLg%3D&md5=b8ebeefe5a824fc8a89e6fb083aa88c3CAS | 22459856PubMed |
Ragsdale A, Thompson H, Worstell D, Brody S (1953) The effect of humidity on milk production and composition, feed and water consumption and body weight in cattle. Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 521,
Richardson E, Herd R, Arthur P, Wright J, Xu G, Dibley K, Oddy V (1996) Possible physiological indicators for net feed conversion efficiency in beef cattle. Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production 21, 103–106.
Rius AG, Kittelmann S, Macdonald KA, Waghorn GC, Janssen PH, Sikkema E (2012) Nitrogen metabolism and rumen microbial enumeration in lactating cows with divergent residual feed intake fed high-digestibility pasture. Journal of Dairy Science 95, 5024–5034.
| Nitrogen metabolism and rumen microbial enumeration in lactating cows with divergent residual feed intake fed high-digestibility pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xht1emsbjK&md5=c540e8498f109b654aeca4b19f2938e4CAS | 22916906PubMed |
Tyrrell HF, Reid JT (1965) Prediction of the energy value of cow’s milk. Journal of Dairy Science 48, 1215–1223.
| Prediction of the energy value of cow’s milk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaF28%2FktVOjtA%3D%3D&md5=1ed2c5d3144d550b2f27fd90ea9f45d1CAS | 5843077PubMed |
Van Horn HH, Wilkie AC, Powers WJ, Nordstedt RA (1994) Components of dairy manure management systems. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 2008–2030.
| Components of dairy manure management systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2M%2FhsFWksg%3D%3D&md5=5b899f10710d151794b106d957fffd2bCAS | 7929962PubMed |
Williams YJ, Pryce JE, Grainger C, Wales WJ, Linden N, Porker M, Hayes BJ (2011) Variation in residual feed intake in Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers in southern Australia. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 4715–4725.
| Variation in residual feed intake in Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers in southern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtV2gsb%2FE&md5=4aee3a257ffa3ce44e2aa0b7dd90ea96CAS | 21854946PubMed |
