PROJECT OVERVIEW

Improving Nutrient Utilization of Dairy Cows by Optimization of Feeding Time and Feeding Patterns

Dr. J.C. Plaizier

Department of Animal Science

University of Manitoba

(204) 474-9500

ARDI Project:

Total Approved:

Date Approved:

Project Status:

#04-536

$99,000

November 15, 2004

In Progress

A major problem currently facing the dairy industry is that cows are in a negative energy balance during several weeks in early lactation. This negative energy balance reduces fertility, induces metabolic disorders, and causes many cows to be removed from the farm prematurely. The main reason for this negative energy balance is that during early lactation milk yield increases faster than voluntary feed intake. It is believed voluntary feed intake and the use of nutrients in the feed can be increased, thereby reducing the negative energy balance. In order to develop feeding strategies that increase voluntary feed intake, the control of voluntary feed intake and feeding behaviour, and the use of nutrients in the feed must be better understood.

This project will investigate if feeding time, diet composition and their interaction influence variation in feeding behaviour, drinking behaviour, rumen conditions, and levels of blood metabolites, metabolic hormones, liver function, and rumen conditions during the day. Knowledge of these variations will allow the development of feeding strategies that synchronize and/or reduce these variations, thereby increasing feed intake, microbial function in the rumen and the use of ingested nutrients for maintenance and production. This may be achieved by choosing the best time(s) to feed total mixed rations or individual feed components. Relationships between rumen conditions, blood parameters, and eating patterns will also be determined. This determination will allow the identification of factors regulating voluntary feed intake.

Project partners include the Dairy Farmers of Canada, Manitoba Milk Producers and GrowSafe Systems Ltd.  Scholarship funding for a Ph.D. student is available from the Ministry of Science and Education, Government of Iran.

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