By Bergsten, C. and Olsson, G. and Wiktorsson, H., Animal Science, 1998
Description
65 primiparous Swedish Red-and-White cows were used to study the effects of feeding high or low levels of concentrate during the last 2-3 weeks before calving on performance in early lactation. Feed intake decreased in the few days before calving but the decrease was less pronounced among cows on the low concentrate level. The average daily feed intake during the calving week gave a metabolizable energy intake about 30 MJ higher on the high- compared with the low-concentrate feeding level. The level of feeding before calving had no effect on the cows' feed intake after calving, milk yield, health and fertility, and scores for udder oedema and sole haemorrhages. The high level of concentrates before calving was associated with significantly higher concentrations of insulin and lower concentrations of free fatty acids in the blood during the 1st week of lactation but the level of feeding before and after calving had no effect on these concentrations in the 8th week of lactation. The feeding of a high ratio of concentrate/forage after calving was associated with a significantly lower milk fat content
65 primiparous Swedish Red-and-White cows were used to study the effects of feeding high or low levels of concentrate during the last 2-3 weeks before calving on performance in early lactation. Feed intake decreased in the few days before calving but the decrease was less pronounced among cows on the low concentrate level. The average daily feed intake during the calving week gave a metabolizable energy intake about 30 MJ higher on the high- compared with the low-concentrate feeding level. The level of feeding before calving had no effect on the cows' feed intake after calving, milk yield, health and fertility, and scores for udder oedema and sole haemorrhages. The high level of concentrates before calving was associated with significantly higher concentrations of insulin and lower concentrations of free fatty acids in the blood during the 1st week of lactation but the level of feeding before and after calving had no effect on these concentrations in the 8th week of lactation. The feeding of a high ratio of concentrate/forage after calving was associated with a significantly lower milk fat content
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