ORIGINAL PAPER
Effects of early lactation concentrate level and
glucogenic feed on feed intake, milk production and
energy metabolism in dairy cows and heifers
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1
Department of Animal Science, University of Helsinki,
P.O.B 28, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
2
Suomen Rehu Ltd.,
P.O.B 105, 00241 Helsinki, Finland
Publication date: 2000-10-04
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2000;9(4):563-583
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
In order to examine the effect of two levels of concentrate and the effect of glucogenic feed
(0 l/d (G0) or 1 l/d (G1)) 16 multiparous and 16 primiparous Friesian cows were used in a factorial
2x2 design. The concentrate levels for multiparous cows were 11 kg/d (C11) and 15 kg/d (C15) and
for primiparous cows 9 kg/d (C9) and 12 kg/d (C12). The glucogenic feed consisted of propylene
glycol, polyols, molasses and niacin. All the animals were offered wilted silage ad libitum. The
experimental period started from calving and lasted for 12 weeks.
Multiparous cows substituted concentrate for silage when glucogenic feed was not given whereas with glucogenic feed the effect of concentrate on silage dry matter intake (DMI) was minor. Glucogenic feed had a minor effect on milk production at the higher level of concentrate and a negative
effect on milk production at the lower level of concentrate. Due to this interaction the milk yield
response to the higher level of concentrate was higher with glucogenic feed. The low rumen degradable protein supply in C11G1 was probably the cause of these interactions.
The milk production response of primiparous cows to the higher level of concentrate was low.
After peak yield the plasma insulin concentrations were higher with the higher concentrate level.
This was accompanied by higher liveweight gain.
In conclusion, the response of multiparous cows to higher concentrate level depended on the
supply of rumen degradable protein, whereas the comparable response of primiparous cows was limited by milk yield potential and the needs of growth. The glucogenic feed showed an ability to
increase plasma glucose and decrease the concentrations of ketones.
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