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The Effect of Early-Lactation Feeding Strategy on the Lactation Performance of Spring-Calving Dairy Cows

E. Kennedy^*,,1, M. O’Donovan^*, F. P. O’Mara^,2, J. P. Murphy^* and L. Delaby

^* Dairy Production Research Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine, NUI Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
INRA, UMR Production du Lait, 35590 St. Gilles, France

¹ Corresponding author: Emer.Kennedy{at}teagasc.ie

The objective of this study was to establish the influence of daily herbage allowance (DHA) and supplementation level offered to spring-calving dairy cows in early lactation on animal performance throughout lactation. Sixty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were randomly assigned to a 6-treatment grazing study. The treatments comprised 3 DHA levels (13, 16, and 19 kg of DM/cow; >4 cm) and 2 concentrate supplementation levels (0 and 4 kg of DM/cow per day). Treatments were imposed from February 21 to May 8 (period 1; P1). During the subsequent 4-wk (period 2; P2), animals were offered a DHA of 20 kg of DM/cow and no concentrate. Subsequently, all animals grazed as a single herd to the end of lactation. Sward quality was homogeneous throughout lactation. A low DHA increased sward utilization (+14%) but reduced milk, solids-corrected milk, protein, and lactose yields compared with a high DHA during P1. Concentrate supplementation significantly increased milk, solids-corrected milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields during P1. The positive effect of concentrate supplementation remained throughout P2. A total concentrate input of 380 kg of DM/cow increased total lactation milk (+432 kg), solids-corrected milk (+416 kg), fat (+18 kg), protein (+15 kg), and lactose (+23 kg) yields. Greater P1 body weights were recorded when a high DHA and concentrate were offered. The P1 treatment had no effect on body condition score throughout lactation. The results indicate that offering a low DHA in early spring does not adversely affect total milk production, body weight, or body condition score, and offering concentrate results in a greater total lactation milk production performance.

Key Words: herbage allowance • concentrate • dairy cow • grazing

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Prendiville, K. M. Pierce, and F. Buckley An evaluation of production efficiencies among lactating Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and Jersey x Holstein-Friesian cows at pasture J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2009; 92(12): 6176 - 6185. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. McEvoy, E. Kennedy, J. P. Murphy, T. M. Boland, L. Delaby, and M. O'Donovan The Effect of Herbage Allowance and Concentrate Supplementation on Milk Production Performance and Dry Matter Intake of Spring-Calving Dairy Cows in Early Lactation J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2008; 91(3): 1258 - 1269. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]