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Title: NUTRIENT INTAKE AND BODY CONDITION CHARACTERISTICS OF DAIRY COWS IN WASHINGTON STATE DAIRY HERDS PRODUCING IN EXCESS OF 12,730 KG OF MILK ANNUALLY

Author
item JOHNSON, L - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item HARRISON, J - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item SCHAGER, W - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item DAVIDSON, D - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item CHEN, S - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item STOCKLE, C - WASHINGTON STATE UNIV.
item HOISINGTON, F - DARI-TECH SERVICES
item Rotz, Clarence - Al

Submitted to: Journal of Dairy Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/21/2001
Publication Date: 5/21/2001
Citation: JOHNSON, L.M., HARRISON, J.H., SCHAGER, W., DAVIDSON, D., CHEN, S., STOCKLE, C., HOISINGTON, F., ROTZ, C.A. NUTRIENT INTAKE AND BODY CONDITION CHARACTERISTICS OF DAIRY COWS IN WASHINGTON STATE DAIRY HERDS PRODUCING IN EXCESS OF 12,730 KG OF MILK ANNUALLY. JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE. VOL. 84 (SUPPL. 1. P. 122. 2001.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Seven Holstein dairy herds producing greater than 12,730 kg of milk annually were selected to characterize animal factors related to high milk production. Six herds used BST, one herd was milked two times per day, five herds were milked three times per day, and one herd was milked four times per day. In each herd, the top mature cow string was measured for body characteristics and intake of nutrients. Other parameters that were measured included the number of cows in a string, days in milk, milk production, and physical effectiveness of the diet (dry matter on two sieves of NASCO's Particle Separator). Body weight was within 20 kg between herds, except for one farm where the cows were giving more milk and weighed 50 to 70 kg less than the other herds in this study. The majority of the herds had dry matter intakes greater than 25 kg/day. Starch intake ranged from 4.1 to 6.8 kg/day, NDF intake ranged from 7.7 to 9.3 kg/day, and CP intake ranged from 4.6 to 5.3 kg/day. These results indicate that the level of starch and NDF in the diet can vary, and high levels of milk production can still be achieved. Physical effective fiber ranged from 44 to 76%, and physical effective NDF ranged from 15 to 27%. A minimum physical effective NDF intake of 20% of ration dry matter was recommended for lactating dairy cows.