Effect of supplement crude protein concentration on milk production over the main grazing season and on nitrogen excretion in late-lactation grazing dairy cows.

The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of (1) a potential interaction between supplement crude protein (CP) concentration and differing cow genotypes on milk production, (2) differing cow genotypes on milk production, and (3) decreasing the supplement CP concentration on milk production and N excretion during the main grazing season within a spring-calving herd. A 2 × 2 factorial arrangement experiment, with 2 feeding strategies [14%; n = 30 (lower CP; LCP) and 18%; n = 28 (higher CP; HCP) CP concentrate supplements] offered at varying levels according to pasture availability and days in milk (DIM) was conducted over the main grazing season from April 3 to September 3, 2019, at University College Dublin Lyons Farm. Cows were also grouped into 2 genotype groups: lower milk genotype; n = 30 [LM; milk kg predicted transmitting ability (PTA): 45 ± 68.

The effect of pasture pregrazing herbage mass on methane emissions, ruminal fermentation, and average daily gain of grazing beef heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pregrazing pasture herbage mass (HM) on CH4 emissions, ruminal fermentation, and ADG of grazing beef heifers at 2 stages of the grazing season. Thirty Limousin cross heifers were allocated to 1 of 2 target pregrazing HM treatments [a low HM (LHM) or high HM (HHM) treatment] for 126 d in a randomized block design experiment. Pasture herbage and heifer rumen fluid samples were collected, and enteric CH4 emissions were determined using an SF6 tracer technique during two 5-d measurement periods [MP; MP 1 (25 to 29 May) and MP 2 (6 to 10 September)].

Effect of supplemental concentrate type on milk production and metabolic status in early-lactation dairy cows grazing perennial ryegrass-based pasture.

Forty-four early-lactation dairy cows of mixed parity were used to examine the effect of 4 supplemental concentrate types (n=11) on milk production and metabolic status. Animals were blocked by parity and calving date, and blocks were balanced for previous milk yield and milk protein yield. Cows received grazed pasture plus 5.

Effect of supplementary concentrate type on nitrogen partitioning in early lactation dairy cows offered perennial ryegrass-based pasture.

Forty-four early lactation (64 ± 20 d in milk) dairy cows of mixed parity were used to assess the effect of 4 supplementary concentrate types (n=11) on N partitioning. Animals were blocked on parity and calving date, and blocks were balanced for previous milk yield and milk protein yield. Cows received grazed pasture plus 5.