Source: MICHIGAN STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
WHOLE FARM DAIRY AND BEEF SYSTEMS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0205536
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
NE-1024
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2005
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2010
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
MICHIGAN STATE UNIV
(N/A)
EAST LANSING,MI 48824
Performing Department
ANIMAL SCIENCE
Non Technical Summary
Dairy and beef production are major contributors to the economy of the US, but increasing costs of production, the decline of prices towards a world market price, and environmental issues are jeopardizing the long-term sustainability of these farms. This is causing a continuing trend toward larger farms concentrated in certain geographic locations. More efficient, economical, and environmentally sound production systems are needed to maintain a viable agricultural industry. Integrated research and technology transfer programs are needed to help dairy and beef farmers manage their farms in a cost effective and environmentally acceptable manner and to comply with new farming regulations. Integrated crop, pasture, and livestock farms form very complex physical and biological systems. Most research focuses on one or relatively few components of the system, providing a narrow view of the potential effects of strategic production changes and an inadequate assessment of the farm-level issues of environmental impact and profitability. Modeling and computer simulation provide an effective research strategy for integrating component-level effects and interactions to predict farm level or higher outcomes. The purpose of this project is to model the environmental impact of management decisions on dairy and beef farms.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
50%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3023410101075%
3073410101025%
Knowledge Area
302 - Nutrient Utilization in Animals; 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
Refine, evaluate, and apply integrated quantitative models of dairy and beef farms to predict profitability and nutrient losses to the environment.
Project Methods
Experiments will be conducted to improve the animal submodel of the Integrated Farm System Model. Our overall goal is to develop equations to accurately predict ruminal passage rate and nutrient availability for cows with a wide range in feed intake and for a wide variety of diets. These equations will provide the foundation for the next generation of the animal submodel, which will increase the accuracy of prediction of nutrient availability and thus aid in reducing excretion of nutrients as waste products. Many aspects of ruminant digestion models have already been improved, but a remaining limitation for current models is inaccuracy in predicting digesta passage rates. Nutrient availability in the ruminant is affected by ruminal rates of digestion and passage of feeds. These rates vary greatly for fractions within feeds, so models partition feeds into fractions with similar digestion characteristics (e.g. fiber, starch, and protein). While digestion rates are measured for these specific feed fractions, current passage rate estimates are based on data using external markers applied to entire feeds. This is because data have not been available for passage rates of specific fractions within feeds. The recently-developed pool and flux method allows direct, simultaneous measurement of the rates of digestion and passage for nutrient fractions, so data obtained using this method will greatly improve the accuracy of models in predicting nutrient availability. Although it is widely accepted that ruminal passage rate of nutrients increases with voluntary feed intake and is also affected by forage characteristics, existing models do not adequately account for these effects because the necessary data do not exist. Our hypothesis is that normal variation in forage characteristics dramatically alters the extent to which level of feed intake affects passage rate. We have developed and tested an experimental design and statistical analyses to evaluate the effects of voluntary feed intake on animal responses to treatments by utilizing cows with a wide range of feed intake. Using this design combined with the pool and flux method, we will conduct a series of experiments to evaluate the interactions of effects of forage characteristics and voluntary feed intake on ruminal passage rates of digesta fractions. Forage characteristics to be tested include forage fiber concentration in the diet, forage particle size, forage maturity, forage family, and fiber lignification caused by genetic variation. The model will then be used to evaluate and compare the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of beef and dairy production systems.

Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: We evaluated effects of forage family and ratio of forage to concentrate on apparent ruminal synthesis and post-ruminal supply of niacin (B3) and vitamin B6. In the first experiment, effects of forage family were evaluated using 8 ruminally and duodenally cannulated lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was a cross-over design with two 15-d treatment periods and a preliminary period in which dry matter intake (pDMI) of a diet intermediate in composition between the treatment diets was measured. Treatment diets were formulated to contain 23% forage NDF and contained as sole forage, alfalfa (AL, 43% NDF) or orchardgrass (OG, 48% NDF) silages. Intakes of B3 and B6 were greater for AL than OG (B3: 2337 vs. 847 mg/d; B6: 75 vs. 55 mg/d) but AL decreased duodenal flows of B3 and B6 compared to OG (B3: 1702 vs. 2508 mg/d; B6: 46 vs. 82 mg/d for B6). Ruminal synthesis of B3 and B6 was greater for OG compared to AL (B3: 1661 vs. -635; B6: 27 vs. -28 mg/d). Intakes of B3 and B6 increased with pDMI for AL but not for OG but duodenal flow of B3 tended to increase with pDMI to a greater extent for OG than for AL. With increasing pDMI, B3 degradation in the rumen increased for AL but synthesis increased for OG. No interactions between pDMI and treatments were observed for B6 duodenal flow or ruminal synthesis. B3 intake was correlated negatively with ruminal synthesis and flow while B6 intake and synthesis were correlated negatively. Mean ruminal pH was correlated negatively with ruminal synthesis and flow of B3 (not B6). Microbial nitrogen flow (g/d) was correlated positively with ruminal synthesis and flow of B6 (not B3). In the second experiment, effects of forage-to-concentrate ratio and rumen fermentation characteristics were evaluated using 14 ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows. The experiment was a crossover design with two 15-d treatment periods and a preliminary period in which dry matter intake of a diet intermediate in composition between the treatments was determined. Treatments were diets containing low-forage (LF; 44.8% forage, 32.8% starch, 24.4% NDF) or high-forage (HF; 64.1% forage, 22.5% starch, 30.7% NDF) concentrations. No interactions between treatment and pDMI were observed. LF decreased B3 intake (1035 vs. 1135 mg/d) but increased apparent ruminal synthesis and duodenal flow of B3 compared to HF. Although B6 intake was not influenced by treatments, LF decreased apparent ruminal degradation and increased B6 duodenal flow compared to HF. B3 flow tended to be correlated positively to B3 intake while B6 flow was correlated positively to B6 intake. Ruminal synthesis and duodenal flow of B3 and B6 were correlated negatively to mean ruminal pH and correlated positively to true ruminally degraded starch. Ruminal synthesis and duodenal flow of B3 and duodenal flow of B6 were correlated positively to microbial N flow. PARTICIPANTS: Jennifer Voelker Linton, Ph.D. conducted the experiments with help from Yun Ying, M.S. and David Main, M.S. B-vitamin analysis was done by M. Seck under the direction of C. Girard, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and P. Y. Chouinard, Departement de sciences animales, Universite Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include research nutritionists that will use the information for diet formulation models as well as field nutritionists and others formulating diets for lactating cows. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Diets of ruminants have not traditionally included supplemental B vitamins because it was assumed that adequate quantities were supplied by microbial fermentation in the rumen. However, production responses to various B vitamins has increased availability of rumen-protected sources of B-vitamins and inclusion of various B-vitamins in certain situations. This research will help identify adequacy of B vitamin supply to increase effectiveness of B vitamin supplementation.

Publications

  • Bals, B., H. Murnen, M.S. Allen, and B. E. Dale. 2010. Ammonia fiber expansion treatment of eleven different forages: Improvements to fiber digestibility in vitro. Anim. Feed Sci.Tech. 155:147-155.
  • Stebulis, S. E. and M. S. Allen. 2010. Hypophagic effects of propionate relative to acetate decrease as days in milk increase and plasma NEFA concentration decreases. J. Dairy Sci. 93(E-Suppl.):843.
  • Seck, M., J. A. Voelker Linton, M. S. Allen, P. Y. Chouinard, and C. L. Girard. 2010. Effects of forage family on apparent ruminal synthesis of niacin and vitamin B6 in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 93(E-Suppl.):152.
  • Allen, M. S. and B. J. Bradford. 2010. Strategies to optimize feed intake in lactating cows. Pp. 104-111. Proc. 64th Annual Virginia State Feed Association and Nutritional Management Cow College, Dept. of Dairy Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0315
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Feed intake regulation and cell wall characteristics. In: Role of plant cell walls in dairy cow nutrition, pp. 17-20. Ad van Vuuren, Ed. Wageningen UR Livestock Research, Lelystad, The Netherlands.
  • Allen, M. S., A. L. Lock, F. Cullens. 2010. Tools for metabolic wellness. Proc. Animal Health: Tools to Navigate the Fresh Cow Storm, Oscoda County MSUE, MSU Extension Dairy Team, PO Box 69, Mio, MI 48647
  • Allen, M. S., A. L. Lock, F. Cullens. 2010. Using rumen scoring to move fresh cows. Proc. Animal Health: Tools to Navigate the Fresh Cow Storm, Oscoda County MSUE, MSU Extension Dairy Team, PO Box 69, Mio, MI 48647
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Grouping to increase milk yield and decrease feed costs, Proc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Proc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Renaissance Nutrition, P.O. Box 229, Roaring Spring, PA 16673
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Energy intake and partitioning of lactating dairy cows, Coolum Nutrition Workshop, Feedworks, Pty, P.O. Box 369, Romsey, Vic. 3434 Australia
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Feeding and supplementing forages through lactation, Coolum Nutrition Workshop, Feedworks, Pty, P.O. Box 369, Romsey, Vic. 3434 Australia
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Choosing maize silage hybrids: implications for carbohydrate metabolism and animal performance, Australia Association of Ruminant Nutrition, P.O. Box 369, Romsey, Vic. 3434 Australia
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Feeding cows in groups and as individuals to increase milk yield and reduce feed costs, Australia Association of Ruminant Nutrition, P.O. Box 369, Romsey, Vic. 3434 Australia
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. Control of feed intake during the transition period: the hepatic oxidation theory. Proc. Discover 20 conference, The Transition Cow: Biology and Management American Dairy Science Association, Champaign, IL, 61822
  • Seck, M., J. A. Voelker Linton, M. S. Allen, P. Y. Chouinard, and C. L. Girard. 2010. Effects of forage-to-concentrate ratio and rumen fermentation characteristics on apparent ruminal synthesis of niacin and vitamin B6 in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 93(E-Suppl.):435.
  • Kammes, K. L. and M. S. Allen. 2010. Nutrient demand interacts with orchardgrass maturity to affect dry matter intake and yields of milk and milk fat. J. Dairy Sci. 93(E-Suppl.):146.
  • Kammes, K. L. and M. S. Allen. 2010. Zinc and heat treatments reduce ruminal protein degradation of grass leaf protein. J. Dairy Sci. 93(E-Suppl.):159.
  • Allen, M. S. 2010. Forage quality is an important part of the nutrition equation. Pp. 40-47. Proc. Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference, ANR Communications Conferences, 312 Agriculture Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
  • Allen, M.S., B. J. Bradford, M. Oba. 2010. Effects of diet fermentability on energy intake and partitioning. Hulsenberger Gesprache, H. Wilhelm Schauman Stifung, Kollaustr. 105, D-22453 Hamburg, Germany
  • Allen, M.S. 2010. The hepatic oxidation theory of the control of feed intake, roc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Proc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Renaissance Nutrition, P.O. Box 229, Roaring Spring, PA 16673


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our objective was to determine the effects of length of cut of alfalfa silage on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and ruminal pool sizes and the relationship of these effects with preliminary voluntary DMI (pVDMI). Fourteen ruminally cannulated Holstein cows were used in a crossover design with a 14-d preliminary period and two 19-d treatment periods. During the preliminary period, pVDMI of individual cows ranged from 16.8 to 30.8 kg/d (mean = 24.8 kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield ranged from 22.9 to 62.4 kg/d (mean = 34.4 kg/d). Experimental treatments were two diets containing alfalfa silage chopped to either a) 1.0 cm (SHORT) or b) 1.9 cm (LONG) theoretical length cut as the sole forage. Alfalfa silages contained ~43% neutral detergent fiber (NDF); diets contained 47% forage, 18% forage NDF, and 25% total NDF. The pVDMI determined during the last 4 d of the preliminary period was used as a covariate. Main effects of particle size and their interaction with pVDMI were tested by ANOVA. DMI and milk yield were not affected by treatment or its interaction with pVDMI. However, response of milk fat, protein, and lactose concentrations (means = 4.00, 3.40, and 4.68%, respectively) to particle size depended on pVDMI, as indicated by a significant interaction between particle size and pVDMI. While LONG increased milk fat and lactose concentrations compared to SHORT for cows below 25 kg/d pVDMI and decreased them for cows with higher pVDMI, the reverse was observed for milk protein concentration. Ruminal digesta wet matter, volume, and pool sizes of nutrients were similar for SHORT and LONG. Ruminal turnover time of potentially digestible NDF was numerically lower for SHORT compared to LONG (8.1 vs. 9.5 h). Reducing the theoretical length cut of alfalfa silage by half did not affect feed intake, milk production, or rumen pool sizes but treatment effect on milk components varied with preliminary feed intake. PARTICIPANTS: Yun Ying, M.S. conducted the experiment, David Main, M.S. conducted sample analysis, and Kimberly Kammes, summarized the results and conducted the statistical analysis. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include research nutritionists that will use the information for diet formulation models as well as field nutritionists and others formulating diets for lactating dairy cows. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Forage particle length can affect feed intake, diet sorting, ruminal pH and ruminal retention time of digesta. However, the response to a change in particle length likely varies among cows with different production levels. A better understanding of how forage particle length with level of feed intake to affect feed intake and yield of milk and milk components will allow us to improve diet formulation for lactating cows.

Publications

  • Longuski, R. A., Y. Ying, and M. S. Allen. 2009. Effect of yeast culture on response to a dietary challenge with fermentable starch in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92: 160-167
  • Dale, B. E., M. S. Allen, M. S. Laser, and L. R. Lynd. 2009. Protein feeds coproduction in biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals. Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining 3:219-230.
  • Voelker Linton, J. A. and M. S. Allen. 2009. Nutrient demand interacts with forage family to affect N digestion and utilization responses in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92:1594-1602.
  • Allen, M.S., B. J. Bradford, and M. Oba. 2009. BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: The hepatic oxidation theory of the control of feed intake and its application to ruminants. J. Anim. Sci. 87: 3317-3334.
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2009. Comment on the evidence against control of eating by hepatic oxidation of fatty acids - a note of caution. Appetite 53: 272-273.
  • Bals, B., H. Murnen, M.S. Allen, and B. E. Dale. 2009. Ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) treatment of eleven different forages: Improvements to fiber digestibility in vitro. Anim. Feed Sci.Tech. doi:10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2009.11.004
  • Ying, Y. and M.S. Allen. 2009. Yeast culture supplementation interacts with voluntary feed intake to affect ruminal starch digestion. J. Dairy Sci. 92(E-Suppl.):376.
  • Kammes, K., Y. Ying, and M.S. Allen. 2009. Effects of maturity of alfalfa conserved as silage on intake, productivity and rumen pools in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92(E-Suppl.):110.
  • Kammes, K., Y. Ying, and M.S. Allen. 2009. Alfalfa silage length of cut interacts with feed intake to affect concentration of milk components in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92(E-Suppl.):110.
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2009. Nutritional control of feed intake in cattle. Pp. 138-148. Proc. Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, PO Box 110910
Gainesville, Florida 32611

  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2009. Strategies to optimize feed intake of lactating dairy cows. Pp. 161-172. Proc. 27th Annual Western Canadian Dairy Seminar, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science 
Room 410 AgFor Centre
 University of Alberta 
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2P5
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Revisiting grouping cows. Proc. Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conference. Maryland Feed Industry Council, Inc. Extension Office, 
3101 Animal Science Center, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2311
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Grouping to maximize milk yield and feed conversion efficiency. Pp. 61-65. Proc. Tri-State Nutrition Conference, 221 Animal Science, 2029 Fyffe Court, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1095
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Effective fiber and fermentable carbohydrates: diet formulation to optimize milk production and cow health, Proc. Diamond V Dairy Advisory Meeting, Diamond V Mills, P.O. Box 74570, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52407-4570
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Intake and feed management of dairy cows. Proc. California Animal Nutrition Conference, California Feed and Grain Association, 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Grouping strategies for dairy herds. Proc. California Animal Nutrition Conference, California Feed and Grain Association, 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2009. HOT feeding strategies to maximize milk yield. Pp. 8-13, Proc. Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, Iowa State University Cooperative Extension, Ames, IA.
  • Allen, M.S., J. A. Voelker, and M. Oba. 2009. Physically effective fiber: its more than just chewing. Pp. 70-75. Proc. Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, Iowa State University Cooperative Extension, Ames, IA.
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Grouping strategies for dairy herds. Proc. 21st Century Dairy Conference, 545 Fairway Oaks Drive, Eureka, MO 63025.
  • Allen, M.S. 2009. Forage allocation and supplementation throughout lactation. California Chapter of ARPAS, PO Box 80822 Bakersfield, CA 93380


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly to replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares in a dose response arrangement of treatments. Treatments were Rumensin supplementation at 0, 8, 16, and 24 ppm DM. Diets consisted of corn silage and alfalfa silage (2:1 ratio, DM basis), high moisture corn, distiller's grains (6.9% of diet DM), protein supplement, minerals and vitamins and contained 25% NDF, 18.5% forage NDF, 28.6 % starch and 16.5% crude protein. Treatment periods were 28 d with the final 11 d used for sample and data collection. Ruminal digestion kinetics were calculated using the pool and flux method. Rumensin treatment increased dry matter intake (P = 0.02 cubic) but did not affect milk yield (mean = 39.8 kg/d, P = 0.77). Quadratic effects of treatment were detected for rates of digestion (P = 0.05) and passage (P = 0.02) of potentially digestible NDF; rate of digestion increased from 1.94 %/h for 0 ppm to 2.50 %/h for 8 ppm and then declined to 1.63 %/h for 24 ppm and rate of passage decreased from 2.56 %/h for 0 ppm to 2.06 %/h for 8 ppm and then increased to 3.09 %/h for 24 ppm. These resulted in quadratic effects of treatment on ruminal and total tract NDF digestibility (P < 0.08). Greater ruminal pool sizes of NDF, OM, and DM for 8 and 16 ppm compared to 0 and 24 ppm (all P<0.06 for quadratic effect) were due primarily to greater dry matter intake because NDF turnover rate in the rumen was not affected by treatment (P > 0.80). Ruminal and total tract starch digestibility as well as starch digestion kinetics were not affected by treatment. Treatment tended (P = 0.09) to decrease ruminal pH linearly from 6.26 to 6.14. Treatment tended (P = 0.07 quadratic) to increase true ruminal OM digestibility for 8 and 16 ppm compared to 0 and 24 ppm but did not affect total tract OM digestibility. Lower concentrations of Rumensin (8-16 ppm) might increase ruminal and total tract NDF digestibility without decreasing its filling effect in the rumen. PARTICIPANTS: Yun Ying, M.S. conducted the Rumensin dose-response experiment with help from Richard Longuski, M.S. and David Main, M.S. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include research nutritionists that will use the information for diet formulation models as well as field nutritionists and others formulating diets for lactating dairy cows. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Rumensin is commonly used to increase efficiency of conversion of feed to milk. However, few experiments have evaluated its effects on ruminal digestion and pool sizes. A better understanding of rumensin effects on ruminal digestion of carbohydrates will allow us to improve diet formulation for lactating cows.

Publications

  • Hollmann, M., D. Beede, and M. Allen. 2008. Ration fermentability: key factor for inclusion level of distillers grains in lactation rations. Michigan Dairy Review 13(2):6-8, April, 2008, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2008. Negative energy balance increases periprandial ghrelin and growth hormone concentrations in lactating dairy cows. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol. 34:196-203.
  • Voelker Linton, J. A. and M. S. Allen. 2008. Nutrient demand interacts with forage family to affect intake and digestion responses in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 91:2694-2701.
  • Bradford, B. J., K. J. Harvatine and M. S. Allen. 2008. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids increase plasma GLP-1 and CCK and may decrease pre-meal ghrelin in lactating cows. J. Dairy Sci. 91:1443-1450.
  • Allen, M.S. 2008. CornPicker: A partial budget approach for choosing corn hybrids for silage. Abstracts ADSA/ASAS Midwest Meeting p. 22
  • Allen, M.S. and Y. Ying. 2008. Dose-response effects of Rumensin supplementation on kinetics of biohydrogenation of fatty acids in the rumen. J. Dairy Sci. 91(E Suppl):590
  • Allen, M.S. and Y. Ying. 2008. Dose-response effects of Rumensin supplementation on ruminal digestion kinetics of fiber and starch. J. Dairy Sci. 91(E Suppl):266
  • Allen, M.S., R. A. Longuski and Y. Ying. 2008. Endosperm type of dry ground corn grain affects ruminal and total tract digestion of starch in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 91(E Suppl):529
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2008. Effects of metabolites on feed intake in dairy cows. 6th Int. Congress Farm Anim. Endo. P. 16 (abstract)
  • Allen, M.S. 2008. Fat effects on feed intake. ADSA Discover Conference 14:1. (abstract)
  • Allen, M.S. 2008. Time to regroup. Michigan Dairy Review 13(2):12-14,April, 2008, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
Effects of dietary starch fermentability on feed intake and nutrient digestibility were evaluated in a crossover study designed to identify factors that predict individual variation in feed intake response to starch fermentability. Thirty-two multiparous Holstein cows fed a diet intermediate to the treatments during a preliminary period and assigned randomly to treatment sequence. Treatments were dry ground corn grain (DG) and high moisture corn (HM) harvested from the same field. Treatment periods were 14 d, with the final 4 d used for data and sample collection. Diets included corn silage and alfalfa haylage at a 2:1 ratio and were ~26% neutral detergent fiber, 17% crude protein, 32% starch, and 3.5% fatty acids. HM decreased dry matter intake (DMI) by 8% (P < 0.001), but did not significantly alter digestible DMI. Individual DMI responses to treatment were highly variable, ranging from an increase of 0.9 kg/d to a decrease of 6.0 kg/d when starch fermentability was increased. Variables from preliminary period propionate challenge tests, glucose tolerance tests, and hepatic mRNA analysis were assessed as potential predictors of DMI depression from increased dietary starch fermentability. Of the covariates tested, only plasma insulin concentration and insulin response to glucose tolerance test were significant predictors of DMI response to treatment. Higher plasma insulin concentration was related to greater depression in DMI with increased fermentability (r2 = 0.28, P < 0.01); conversely, greater insulin secretion in response to glucose infusion was related to lower depression in DMI (r2 = 0.32, P < 0.01). These insulin variables were independent predictors of DMI response (r2 = 0.001). Consistent with past results, increased dietary starch fermentability decreased DMI. Significant correlations between insulin variables and individual DMI response warrant further investigation.

Impacts
Production response to grains varying in ruminal fermentability varies among animals. A better understanding of factors affecting this response will allow formulation of diets to maximize nutrient utilization and reduce excretion of excess nutrients.

Publications

  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Metabolic regulation of feed intake in cattle: a conceptual model. Proc. Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cattle, Consorzio Ricerca Filera Lattiero Casearia, Ragusa, Italy.
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2007. NDF digestibility: conceptual and analytical challenges. Proc. Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cattle, Consorzio Ricerca Filera Lattiero Casearia, Ragusa, Italy.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Effects of dietary fat on energy intake and partitioning. Proc. Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cattle, Consorzio Ricerca Filera Lattiero Casearia, Ragusa, Italy.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Diet formulation to maximize energy intake and milk yield. Proc. Nutrition and Management of Dairy Cattle, Consorzio Ricerca Filera Lattiero Casearia, Ragusa, Italy.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Formulating lactating cows diets for carbohydrates. Proc. Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop, Department of Dairy and Animal Science
Penn State University
324 Henning Bldg
University Park, PA 16802
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Economics of corn hybrid selection for silage. Proc. 2007 Dairy Information Meeting, Floradale Feed Mill Limited, 2131 Floadale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 CA.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Utilizing fats and carbohydrates in forage-based diets for lactating cows. Proc. 2007 Dairy Information Meeting, Floradale Feed Mill Limited, 2131 Floadale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 CA.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Metabolic regulation of feed intake in transition cows. Proc. 2007 Shur-Gain Dairy Nutrition and Management Seminar, Nutreco Canada Inc. 150 Research Lane, Suite 200, Guelph, ON N1G 4T2 CA
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Phlorizin administration did not attenuate hypophagia induced by intraruminal propionate infusion. J. Nutr. 137:326-330.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Phlorizin induces lipolysis and alters meal patterns in both early and late lactation dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90:1810-1815.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Short communication: Rate of propionate infusion within meals does not influence feeding behavior. J. Dairy Sci. 90:2305-2308.
  • Voelker Linton J. A. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Predicting ruminal passage rates of fiber fractions and starch in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:618.
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Avoiding problems when feeding for high production. Proc. Herd Management Conference, Canwest Dairy Herd Improvement, 660 Speedvale Avenue West Suite 101 Guelph, Ontario N1K 1E5
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Causes and effects of high acid diets. Proc. Herd Management Conference, Canwest Dairy Herd Improvement, 660 Speedvale Avenue West Suite 101 Guelph, Ontario N1K 1E5
  • Allen, M.S. and B. J. Bradford. 2007. Regulation of feed intake in transition cows: application of the hepatic oxidation hypothesis. Pp. 138-146, Proc. Southwest Nutrition and Management Conference, Dept. Animal Sci., University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721.
  • Allen, M. S. and J. A. Voelker Linton. 2007. In vivo methods to measure digestibility and digestion kinetics of feed fractions in the rumen. Pp. 72-88, Proc. International Symposium on Advances in Ruminant Nutrition Research, Departmento de Nutricao e Producao Animal Faculdade de Medicna Veterinania e Zootecnia, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga, Brazil.
  • Allen, M. 2007. Milk per acre: right for few, wrong for many. Pp. 156-159, Proc. Annual Meeting of the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, W10493 Oak Center Road Waupun, WI 53963
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Digestibility of forage NDF: effects on feed intake and milk yield of dairy cows, Pp. 42-47, Proc. Joint Spring Meeting of the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Ontario Agri-Business Association, 7423 SR 18, RR#1, Alma, Ontario, Canada, N0B IA0.
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Increasing feed Intake in transition cows: application of the hepatic oxidation hypothesis. Pp. 2-11, Proc. Joint Spring Meeting of the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners and the Ontario Agri-Business Association, 7423 SR 18, RR#1, Alma, Ontario, Canada, N0B IA0.
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Ranking corn silage hybrids, Proc. Tri State Dairy Nutrition Conference, Dept. Dairy Sci., The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210.
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Metabolic regulation of feed intake in ruminants. Proc. California Animal Nutrition Conference, California Grain and Feed Association, 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Formulating lactating cow diets for carbohydrates. Proc. 2007 Shur-Gain Dairy Nutrition and Management Seminar, Nutreco Canada Inc. 150 Research Lane, Suite 200, Guelph, ON N1G 4T2 CA
  • Allen, M.S. 2007. Effect of forage quality on milk yield and efficiency of production. Proc. VP Agro Seminar for Agronomists, VP AGRO spol. s r.o. Knezeves 252 68 Stredokluky, Czech Republic
  • Allen, M. S. and J. V. Linton. 2007. Sorting through those corn silage hybrids. Hoards Dairyman 152(16):630.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Negative energy balance increases periprandial ghrelin and growth hormone concentrations in lactating dairy cows. Domest. Anim. Endocrinol.: Mar 21: Epub ahead of print.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Depression in feed intake by a highly fermentable diet is related to plasma insulin concentration and insulin response to glucose infusion. J. Dairy Sci. 90:3838-3845.
  • Voelker Linton, J. A. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Nutrient demand affects ruminal digestion responses to a change in dietary forage concentration. J. Dairy Sci. 90:4770-4779.
  • Mooney, C. S. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Effect of dietary strong ions on chewing activity and milk production in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90:5610-5618.
  • Hollmann, M. D. K. Beede, and M. S. Allen. 2007. Increased diet fermentability reduces production response to corn distillers grains in lactating cows: a statistical analysis of treatment means reported in the literature. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:452.
  • VandeHaar, M. J., H. F. Bucholtz, D. K. Beede, M. S. Allen, and R. D. Kriegel. 2007. Spartan dairy ration evaluator/balancer version 3: A user-friendly, windows-based software program for dairy nutrition management. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:604.
  • Mooney, C. S. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Strong ion concentrations in ruminal fluid of lactating dairy cows fed diets varying in fermentibility. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:407.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Negative energy balance increases prandial ghrelin and growth hormone concentrations in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:447.
  • Bradford, B. J. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Depression in feed intake by a highly fermentable diet is related to plasma insulin concentration and insulin response to glucose infusion. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:567.
  • Longuski, R. A., Y. Ying, and M. S. Allen. 2007. Yeast culture supplementation prevented milk fat depression from a fermentable carbohydrate challenge. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:173.
  • Allen, M. S. 2007. Utilizing fats and carbohydrates in forage-based diets for lactating cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:236.
  • Voelker Linton J. A. and M. S. Allen. 2007. Nutrient demand affects nitrogen utilization responses to diets containing alfalfa or orchardgrass. J. Dairy Sci. 90S:684.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Previous research in our laboratory indicates that individual intake and milk production responses to a change in dietary forage content depend on individual appetite as represented by pretrial voluntary feed intake (pVDMI). We proposed that physical filling effects become increasingly important in determining feed intake as appetite increases. This hypothesis was tested using 14 ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows in a crossover design experiment with a 14 d pretrial period and two 15 d experimental periods. During the pretrial period, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (FCMY) for these cows was 15 to 60 kg/d (mean = 40 kg/d), and voluntary DMI (pVDMI) ranged from 20.6 to 30.5 kg/d (mean = 25.0 kg/d). Treatments were a low-forage diet (LF), containing 20% of dry matter as forage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 24% as total dietary NDF, and a high-forage diet (HF), containing 27% forage NDF and 31% total dietary NDF. The ability of linear and quadratic factors of pVDMI to predict the difference in responses of individual cows to treatments (YLF - YHF) was tested using analysis of variance, with treatment sequence as a covariate. In contrast to the previous experiment, differences in DMI and FCMY responses to LF and HF did not depend on pVDMI (P > 0.50). Furthermore, the differences in responses to LF and HF of iNDF, pdNDF, and starch passage rates, and of pdNDF and starch digestion rates, did not depend on pVDMI (P > 0.20). The difference in starch intake (but not DMI) on LF compared to HF increased with greater pVDMI (r = 0.69, P = 0.02), suggesting that the extent to which sorting differed on LF relative to HF depended on appetite. Although the previously-observed effects of pVDMI on responses of DMI, FCMY, and NDF digestion to HF and LF diets were not repeated in the present experiment, appetite of individual cows may have affected feeding behavior responses to LF and HF.

Impacts
Production response to forage concentration of diets and forage quality varies among animals. A better understanding of factors affecting this response will allow formulation of diets to maximize nutrient utilization and reduce excretion of excess nutrients.

Publications

  • Allen, M. S. 2006. Regulation of feed intake in dairy cattle. Proc. Dairy Production Medicine Seminar, School of Veterinary Medicine, VMTRC - UC Davis, 18830 Road 112, Tulare, CA 93274
  • Allen, M. S. 2006. Rumen acidosis in dairy cattle, Proc. Dairy Production Medicine Seminar, School of Veterinary Medicine, VMTRC - UC Davis, 18830 Road 112, Tulare, CA 93274
  • Allen, M.S. 2006 NDF digestibility: conceptual and analytical challenges. Pp. 68-74. Proc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Renaissance Nutrition, Inc., P.O. Box 229, Roaring Spring, PA 16673.
  • Allen, M.S. 2006. A partial budget approach to choosing corn hybrids for silage. Pp. 88-96. Proc. Bucknell Nutrition Conference, Renaissance Nutrition, Inc., P.O. Box 229, Roaring Spring, PA 16673.
  • Allen, M.S. 2006. Digestibility of forage fiber and starch. Proc. 39th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Seminar 8 Advanced Dairy Nutrition: New diagnostics for feed carbohydrates. American Association of Bovine Practitioners, P.O. Box 3610, Auburn, AL 36831.
  • Allen, M.S. 2006. Choosing corn hybrids for silage: a partial budget approach. Proc. 39th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Seminar 8 Advanced Dairy Nutrition: New diagnostics for feed carbohydrates. American Association of Bovine Practitioners, P.O. Box 3610, Auburn, AL 36831.
  • Mooney, C. S. 2006. Regulation of the ruminal environment by lactating dairy cows. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University.
  • Bradford, B. J. 2006. Propionate regulation of feed intake. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University.
  • Linton, J.A.V. 2006. Effects of dietary forage characteristics on digesta passage rate in dairy cows. Ph.D. dissertation, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University.
  • Bradford, B. J., Gour, A. D., Nash, A. S., and Allen, M. S. 2006. Propionate challenge tests have limited value for investigating bovine metabolism. J. Nutr. 136:1915-1920.
  • Allen, M. S. 2006. Forage fiber digestibility in relation to dairy cow performance. Proc. Intermountain Nutrition Conference, Department of Animal, Dairy and Veternary Sciences, Utah State University, 4815 Old Main Hill, Logan Utah 84322-4815
  • Allen, M. S. 2006. Feeding to maximize milk yield and efficiency of feed utilization. Proc. 11th Annual IFA Dairy Seminar, Intermountain Farmers Association, 1147 West 2100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
  • Allen, M.S. 2006. Diet formulation to maximize milk yield and efficiency of milk production. Proc. 39th Annual Conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners. Seminar 8 Advanced Dairy Nutrition: New diagnostics for feed carbohydrates. American Association of Bovine Practitioners, P.O. Box 3610, Auburn, AL 36831.
  • Allen, M.S. and Bradford, B. J. 2006. From the liver to the brain: increasing feed intake in transition cows. Pp. 115-124. Proc. 68th Meeting of the Cornell Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4801.
  • Bradford, B. J. and Allen, M. S. 2006. Propionate regulation of feed intake. J. Dairy Sci. 89S:49.
  • Allen, M. S. 2006. Choosing corn hybrids for silage: a partial budget approach. J. Dairy Sci. 89S:281.
  • Linton, J. A. V. and Allen, M. S. 2006. Voluntary feed intake affects response to dietary forage content. J. Dairy Sci. 89S:263.
  • Allen, M. S. and Bradford, B. J. 2006. Metabolic regulation of food intake in ruminants. J. Dairy Sci. 89S:120.
  • Yang, T. H., Knowlton, K. F., Shang, C., Linton, J. V. and Allen, M. S. 2006. Phosphorus digestion in lactating cows fed diets containing beet pulp. J. Dairy Sci. 89S:441.
  • Allen, M. 2006. Selecting corn hybrids for silage: considering yield and quality. p. 31-32. In: 2006 Michigan Corn Hybrids Compared. Extension Bulletin E-431, Cooperative Extension Service, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
  • Allen, M. 2006. CornPicker for silage: a partial budget approach. Michigan Dairy Review 11(1):1-6. January, 2006, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing.
  • Bradford, B. J. and Allen, M. S. 2006. Milk fat trial yielded surprising results. Hoards Dairyman, February 10, 2006.
  • Linton, J. V. and Allen, M. S. 2006. Forage needs differ as lactation proceeds. Hoards Dairyman 151(11):403.
  • Bucholtz, H., Allen, M., Beede, D., and VandeHaar, M. 2006. How can MUN testing help my farm? Michigan Milk Messenger 88(9):20-21.