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Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 74 No. 2 537-545
© 1991 by American Dairy Science Association ®
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Effect of Varying Levels of Neutral Detergent Fiber and Total Digestible Nutrients on Intake and Growth of Holstein Heifers

D. J. Tomlinson 1, R. E. James 1, and M. L. McGilliard 1

1 Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

Intake, growth, DM intake, BW, and wither height were recorded from 108 Holstein heifers weighing between 100 and 400 kg. Heifers were divided into two blocks based on beginning BW (X = 182 kg, light and X = 270 kg, heavy). Heifers within blocks were assigned randomly to one of five treatments for the 35-d trial to examine effects of dietary NDF and TDN on growth. Light heifer treatments were 35, 45, or 50% of NDF at 100% of NRC TDN recommendation and 85 and 115% of NRC TDN at 45% NDF. Heavy heifer treatments were 40, 50, or 60% of NDF at 100% NRC TDN and 85 and 115% of TDN at 50% NDF. Total mixed rations formulated for .68 kg/d of BW gain were fed. Rations contained corn silage, alfalfa haylage, ground orchardgrass hay, soybean meal, high moisture corn, and a mineral mix. Mean DM intake (kilograms per day) and BW (kg) were 5.9, 217 and 7.28, 311, respectively, for the light and heavy blocks. Mean BW gain (kilograms per day) and growth in wither height (centimeters per day) were 1.07, .122 and .96, .076, respectively, for light and heavy blocks. Maximal DM intake per kilogram of BW.75 occurred at 41% NDF, below which NDF and ADF correlations with DM intake per kilogram BW.75 were –.16 and –.42. Above 41% NDF, correlations were –.28 and –.21. Ration NDF content had more influence than TDN on intake and growth of heifers with less than 200 kg BW. Above 200 kg BW, heifer performance more closely reflected the changes in ration energy content (TDN); NDF had less effect.

Key Words: gain • intake • dairy heifers

Submitted on April 9, 1990
Accepted on September 10, 1990




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P. C. Hoffman, K. A. Weigel, and R. M. Wernberg
Evaluation of Equations to Predict Dry Matter Intake of Dairy Heifers
J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3699 - 3709.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1991 by the American Dairy Science Association ®.