Original scientific paper
THE EFFECT OF FORAGE QUALITY ON PRODUCTION AND HEALTH OF DAIRY COWS
Vladimir Vajda
; University of Veterinary Medicine, Košice, Slovak republic
Iveta Maskalová
; University of Veterinary Medicine, Košice, Slovak republic
Abstract
Evaluation of energy metabolism by analysis of rations, rumen fermentation and blood markers of energy metabolism, carried out on the basis of 20 samplings from 363 dairy cows, and looking for mutual relationships in the transient phases and at the peak of lactation proved the following: - In the period of preparation for parturition – bulk type of rations contained increased values of neutral detergent fibres (NDF in 60% herds) and acid-detergent fibres (ADF in 50% herds), with borderline values of nonfibrous carbohydrates (NFC). The increased levels of acetic acid (in 57% of animals) and decreased levels of propionic acid (in 38% of animals) respectively, with wider ratio C2:C3=3.3:1 in 53% of animals, significantly limit adaptation of the rumen metabolism to the concentrate-type of feed ration after parturition. Such type of fermentation results in negative energy balance with tendency to lipomobilization (30% of animals) and manifestation of liver load (40% of animals). - In the postpartal period – change to concentrate type of TMR with increased levels of NFC in 50% of herds and
low degree of adaptation of the rumen fermentation, resulted in rumen acidification (50% of animals), associated ketogenesis (34% of animals), increase hepatal load (64% of animals) and occurrence of ketosis (12 – 34% of dairy cows). - In the period of lactation peak – gradual stabilization of rumen as well as intermediary metabolism with manifestation of ketogenesis in 25% of examined animals, with nutritional and metabolic disorders of the liver in 52%animals, are observed. Further increase of the level of milk production and milk components requires improvement of the quality,
nutritional value and digestibility of forages. Increase in the portion of concentrates for an increase of nutrient concentration in TMR manifests by the rumen acidification with the tendency to a decrease in milk fat, and increased manifestations of hoof disorders.
Keywords
forage quality; NDF; NFC; rumen fermentation
Hrčak ID:
27009
URI
Publication date:
25.7.2008.
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