Undigestible neutral detergent fibre (uNDF) has become a standard feed analysis overseas to properly quantify forage digestibility. However, this analysis is not available locally in New Zealand and the method implemented in our laboratory by using an alternative bag (F57) was not validated. The results of the current validation suggest that the F57 bag is suitable for uNDF determination, but that some further modifications to the protocol need to be made to improve the accuracy and precision of the uNDF determination.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

Ruminant milk components are increasingly recognised for human health benefits (e.g. functional fatty acid composition) or indicators of nutrient supply (e.g. milk urea). This experiment investigated the effect of including lucerne at 40% of the traditional diet of perennial ryegrass-white clover mix on milk production and composition. The findings showed that lucerne can improve dietary protein supply during periods of deficiency and increase the concentration of functional fatty acids in the milk of grazing dairy cattle.

This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.

Calf-rearing practises can influence calf development and milk sales for the producer, and consumer demands for high animal-welfare practises may require changes to future rearing practises. The aim of this research was to compare calf growth and milk requirements by using conventional artificial rearing with calves reared with their dam in a pastoral dairy system.

This article belongs to the Collection Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024.