Nutritional efficiency of feed-restricted F1 Holstein/Zebu cows in early lactation.

The quantitative feed restriction of lactating cows has been used in intensive production systems as a strategy to reduce production costs. However, the effects of this restriction in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows are unclear. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, feed efficiency, feed behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during early lactation.

Nutritional efficiency of feed-restricted F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of lactation.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of quantitative feed restriction on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance in F1 Holstein/Zebu cows during the middle third of their lactation.

Methods: Sixty F1 Holstein/Zebu cows with 111.5 ± 11.