Whole-tract digestibility and nitrogen-use efficiency of partial mixed rations with and without canola meal
V. M. Russo A B , L. C. Marett A , M. M. Wright A , M. J. Auldist A and W. J. Wales AA Agriculture Victoria, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: victoria.russo@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Animal Production Science 57(7) 1398-1404 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16511
Submitted: 28 July 2016 Accepted: 3 February 2017 Published: 8 March 2017
Abstract
Increasing the crude protein (CP) concentration of a ration fed to grazing dairy cows by adding canola meal can increase milk production. The present study investigated the effect of extra CP intake on nitrogen-use efficiency and the fate of the additional dietary nitrogen (N). Sixteen spring-calved rumen fistulated cows were housed in metabolism stalls for a 9-day period and offered one of the following four treatment diets: (1) 8 kg DM/cow.day of fresh perennial ryegrass (PRG) supplemented with 12 kg DM/cow.day of a partial mixed ration (PMR) comprising oaten hay, crushed maize and wheat grain (PMR 8); (2) 12 kg DM/cow.day of fresh-cut PRG and 12 kg DM/cow.day of PMR (PMR 12); (3) the same as for PMR 8 cows, except some wheat in the PMR was replaced with canola meal (PMR+C 8); and (4) the same as the PMR 12 cows, except some wheat in the PMR was replaced with canola meal (PMR+C 12). The PMR and the PMR+C diets were iso-energetic, but the canola meal provided extra CP. Crude protein intake was 14.4%, 14.8%, 16.8% and 17.4% DM for PMR 8, PMR 12, PMR+C 8 and PMR+C 12 respectively. The addition of canola meal increased DM intake (P < 0.05) from 20.4 to 21.6 kg/day and increased N intake (P < 0.001) from 478 to 590 g/day. Nitrogen digestibility increased (P < 0.05) from 67% to 71%, nitrogen-use efficiency decreased (P < 0.05) from 37% to 32% and urinary-N output increased (P < 0.01) from 118 to 160 g/day, indicating that the additional CP fed resulted in additional N surplus. Energy-corrected milk yield for the experimental period was 34 ± 3.1 kg/cow.day (mean ± s.d.); however, due to the low number of cows, the ability to rigorously assess the effects on milk production was limited.
Additional keywords: dairy cow, pasture, protein.
References
AFIA (2011) ‘AFIA: laboratory methods manual.’ (Australian Fodder Industry Association: Melbourne)Allen M, Voelker J, Oba M (2006) Physically effective fiber and regulation of ruminal pH: More than just chewing. In ‘Production diseases in farm animals’. (Eds NP Joshi, TH Herdt) pp. 270–278. (Wageningen Academic Publishers: Wageningen, The Netherlands)
Auldist M, Marett L, Greenwood J, Hannah M, Jacobs J, Wales W (2013) Effects of different strategies for feeding supplements on milk production responses in cows grazing a restricted pasture allowance. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 1218–1231.
| Effects of different strategies for feeding supplements on milk production responses in cows grazing a restricted pasture allowance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xhsl2isrrP&md5=bb23cee3d355f8e22393efd7c924cc90CAS |
Auldist MJ, Marett LC, Greenwood JS, Wright MM, Hannah MC, Jacobs JL, Wales WJ (2014) Replacing wheat with canola meal in a partial mixed ration increases the milk production of cows grazing at a restricted pasture allowance in spring. Animal Production Science 54, 869–878.
Auldist MJ, Marett LC, Greenwood JS, Wright MM, Hannah MC, Jacobs JL, Wales WJ (2016) Milk production responses to different strategies for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 657–671.
| Milk production responses to different strategies for feeding supplements to grazing dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhvVCitbnE&md5=6e7da1dc21f54c3989463b9129a68193CAS |
Bargo F, Muller LD, Delahoy JE, Cassidy TW (2002) Performance of high producing dairy cows with three different feeding systems combining pasture and total mixed rations. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 2948–2963.
| Performance of high producing dairy cows with three different feeding systems combining pasture and total mixed rations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xptlagt74%3D&md5=7b7b0c7ffc458966176a8eb9ce3b4236CAS |
Beever DE, Doyle PT (2007) Feed conversion efficiency as a key determinant of dairy herd performance: a review. Animal Production Science 47, 645–657.
| Feed conversion efficiency as a key determinant of dairy herd performance: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Botts RL, Hemken RW, Bull LS (1979) Protein reserves in the lactating dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Science 62, 433–440.
| Protein reserves in the lactating dairy cow.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE1M7psVKgtg%3D%3D&md5=b7cdc9c5abaacb86d89862a8f8088922CAS |
Broderick GA (2003) Effects of varying dietary protein and energy levels on the production of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 1370–1381.
| Effects of varying dietary protein and energy levels on the production of lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXjtVajtLc%3D&md5=5ba38e3b924f384c5a4a4e7020dd3799CAS |
Colmenero JJO, Broderick GA (2006) Effect of dietary crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 1704–1712.
| Effect of dietary crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XktVOhtrs%3D&md5=51a00beb1d7cb2d629816fbea49e44bbCAS |
Coppock CE, Noller CH, Wolfe SA (1974) Effect of forage-concentrate ratio in complete feeds fed ad libitum on energy intake in relation to requirements by dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 57, 1371–1380.
| Effect of forage-concentrate ratio in complete feeds fed ad libitum on energy intake in relation to requirements by dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXhtFSkur8%3D&md5=1936d57117e33d5e11b8b2bd0bf2f300CAS |
Cressman SG, Grieve DG, Macleod GK, Wheeler EE, Young LG (1980) Influence of dietary protein concentration on milk production by dairy cattle in early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 63, 1839–1847.
| Influence of dietary protein concentration on milk production by dairy cattle in early lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Earle D (1976) A guide to scoring dairy cow condition. Journal of Agriculture, Victoria 74, 228–231.
Greenwood JS, Auldist MJ, Marett LC, Hannah MC, Jacobs JL, Wales WJ (2014) Ruminal pH and whole-tract digestibility in dairy cows consuming fresh cut herbage plus concentrates and conserved forage fed either separately or as a partial mixed ration. Animal Production Science 54, 1056–1063.
| Ruminal pH and whole-tract digestibility in dairy cows consuming fresh cut herbage plus concentrates and conserved forage fed either separately or as a partial mixed ration.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlaks7%2FK&md5=2cb75b7916f0e7ea2de4fe81af44a155CAS |
Hoover W (1986) Chemical factors involved in ruminal fiber digestion. Journal of Dairy Science 69, 2755–2766.
| Chemical factors involved in ruminal fiber digestion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2sXhsleitw%3D%3D&md5=2dd336ed39d28247eb2bc023c1ba6574CAS |
Hristov AN, Etter RP, Ropp JK, Grandeen KL (2004) Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science 82, 3219–3229.
| Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXovVyjtrY%3D&md5=ba64c536667522042158f9589551f9c8CAS |
Huhtanen P, Hetta M, Swensson C (2011) Evaluation of canola meal as a protein supplement for dairy cows: a review and a meta-analysis. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 91, 529–543.
| Evaluation of canola meal as a protein supplement for dairy cows: a review and a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XislWntrs%3D&md5=e9b5afdcee38aaa59dedd3e8daccaadaCAS |
Kalscheur KF, Vandersall JH, Erdman RA, Kohn RA, Russek-Cohen E (1999) Effects of dietary crude protein concentration and degradability on milk production responses of early, mid, and late lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82, 545–554.
| Effects of dietary crude protein concentration and degradability on milk production responses of early, mid, and late lactation dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXitVWjtL8%3D&md5=11452abbb6c5404bd19be7ecbd88c3d9CAS |
Kung L, Huber JT (1983) Performance of high producing cows in early lactation fed protein of varying amounts, sources, and degradability. Journal of Dairy Science 66, 227–234.
| Performance of high producing cows in early lactation fed protein of varying amounts, sources, and degradability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Law RA, Young FJ, Patterson DC, Kilpatrick DJ, Wylie ARG, Mayne CS (2009) Effect of dietary protein content on animal production and blood metabolites of dairy cows during lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 1001–1012.
| Effect of dietary protein content on animal production and blood metabolites of dairy cows during lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXivVaktL8%3D&md5=7705359347fe13b1875171550c00dbdcCAS |
Mould F, Ørskov E, Mann S (1983) Associative effects of mixed feeds. I. Effects of type and level of supplementation and the influence of the rumen fluid pH on cellulolysis in vivo and dry matter digestion of various roughages. Animal Feed Science and Technology 10, 15–30.
| Associative effects of mixed feeds. I. Effects of type and level of supplementation and the influence of the rumen fluid pH on cellulolysis in vivo and dry matter digestion of various roughages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXhtlOrtrs%3D&md5=2cdf9f4adbb7dd2b82f3b604fb6c97d0CAS |
National Health and Medical Research Council (2004) ‘Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.’ (Australian Government: Canberra)
National Research Council (2001) ‘Nurient requirements of dairy cattle.’ (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)
Oldham JD (1984) Protein-energy interrelationships in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 67, 1090–1114.
| Protein-energy interrelationships in dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXkt1Squro%3D&md5=93ae0a26a77b22469d7ef803b42730d9CAS |
Packer EL, Clayton EH, Cusack PMV (2011) Rumen fermentation and liveweight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage. Australian Veterinary Journal 89, 338–345.
| Rumen fermentation and liveweight gain in beef cattle treated with monensin and grazing lush forage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1GmsbfM&md5=e07508be16b0c4eb25a0b589b276872fCAS |
Roffler RE, Satter LD, Hardie AR, Tyler WJ (1978) Influence of dietary protein concentration on milk production by dairy cattle during early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 61, 1422–1428.
| Influence of dietary protein concentration on milk production by dairy cattle during early lactation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXmtFCjsro%3D&md5=0c28d93f121c62dd0ead464b4b45e60bCAS |
Russell JB, Wilson DB (1996) Why are ruminal cellulolytic bacteria unable to digest cellulose at low pH? Journal of Dairy Science 79, 1503–1509.
| Why are ruminal cellulolytic bacteria unable to digest cellulose at low pH?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK28Xlsleltr4%3D&md5=db4808121388494a5504d4e6e91f9f56CAS |
Simkins KL, Suttie JW, Baumgardt BR (1965) Regulation of food intake in ruminants. 4. Effect of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and glucose on voluntary food intake in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 48, 1635–1642.
| Regulation of food intake in ruminants. 4. Effect of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and glucose on voluntary food intake in dairy cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF28XlsVWitg%3D%3D&md5=542b88ad5e1bf274513dd70910e8cdc8CAS |
Tyrrell H, Reid J (1965) Prediction of the energy value of cow’s milk. Journal of Dairy Science 48, 1215–1223.
Wales WJ, Doyle PT (2003) Effect of grain and straw supplementation on marginal milk-production responses and rumen fermentation of cows grazing highly digestible subterranean clover pasture. Animal Production Science 43, 467–474.
| Effect of grain and straw supplementation on marginal milk-production responses and rumen fermentation of cows grazing highly digestible subterranean clover pasture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlslOnsbg%3D&md5=f65a10d24a9f333c19f66a81a703e1a2CAS |
Wales WJ, Marett LC, Greenwood JS, Wright MM, Thornhill JB, Jacobs JL, Ho CKM, Auldist MJ (2013) Use of partial mixed rations in pasture-based dairying in temperate regions of Australia. Animal Production Science 53, 1167–1178.
| Use of partial mixed rations in pasture-based dairying in temperate regions of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsFGgsrvK&md5=8d84f026e062c3b20e320a93d4becdf8CAS |
Wu Z, Satter L (2000) Milk production during the complete lactation of dairy cows fed diets containing different amounts of protein. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 1042–1051.
| Milk production during the complete lactation of dairy cows fed diets containing different amounts of protein.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXjsVWksrc%3D&md5=7531be554ec44a67929195345a6bb7b9CAS |
Yan T, Frost JP, Agnew RE, Binnie RC, Mayne CS (2006) Relationships among manure nitrogen output and dietary and animal factors in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 3981–3991.
| Relationships among manure nitrogen output and dietary and animal factors in lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtVWgsbzN&md5=079b884e7d69ebebd4b4846ad2c214efCAS |