Open AccessInfluence of pre partum and post partum plane of nutrition on the performance of crossbred suckler cows and their progeny
Author(s) -
Merja Manninen,
Harri Huhta
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
agricultural and food science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.347
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1795-1895
pISSN - 1459-6067
DOI - 10.23986/afsci.5674
Subject(s) - zoology , post partum , ice calving , hay , straw , crossbreed , grazing , biology , dry matter , agronomy , lactation , pregnancy , genetics
The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of two pre partum and four post partum feeding levels on the performance of 28 Hereford-Ayrshire and 30 Limousine-Ayrshire spring-calving mature cows in calf to Limousin and their calves from the beginning of indoor feeding until the end of grazing under Finnish climatic conditions. A 2 H 2 factorial design experiment consisted of a low (L) and moderate (M) pre partum feeding levels based on hay and straw and two post partum concentrate feeding levels, 1.5 and 3.5 kg/d (1 and 2, respectively). The treatments were replicated across the genotypes. For feeding level L the amount of roughage offered was restricted to proportionately 0.7 on a dry matter (DM) basis of feeding level M. Milled barley was offered at 1.3 kg DM/d to all cows 72 days pre calving. The experiment was divided into two parts, an indoor feeding (215 days) and grazing period (114 days). The indoor feeding period included three periods, from start of the study to the beginning of additional concentrate feeding (P1) and feeding additional concentrate supplements both pre (P2) and post calving (P3). On feeding level M cows had a daily intake of 9.1 and 10.4 kg DM during periods P1 and P2, respectively. During period P3 intake was 10.4 and 12.0 kg DM for 1 and 2. Corresponding values for feeding level L were 6.7, 8.0, 8.0 and 9.7 kg DM, respectively. At the onset of grazing, cows on feeding level M were 47 kg heavier (P