Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: STUDY (Completed):Development of Alternative Dairy Heifer Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for North Carolina Dairy Farms. Effective fiber causes the heifer to chew and stimulates saliva production to help buffer the rumen. Effective fiber is essential for healthy rumen function and prevention of low fiber disorders such as acidosis, and founder. NC State University researchers have developed a self-fed 30 percent cottonseed hull based heifer TMR that is an excellent ration for post-weaned heifers. The price of cottonseed hulls can fluctuate widely depending on the season of the year and their availability in the market.This study is evaluating alternative sources of "effective fiber" in place of cottonseed hulls. STUDY (Completed):Effect of a Mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos from Alltech) on Health and Growth of Holstein and Jersey Calves. This study is designed to determine the effect of supplementing Bio-Mos mannanoligosaccharide on health and growth of Holstein and Jersey calves and to compare growth parameters and feed efficiency in Holstein and Jersey calves from birth through 180 days of age. STUDY (Completed): Supplementing a Pasteurized Milk Balancer Product to Two Feeding Levels of Pasteurized Whole Milk on the Health and Growth of Dairy Calves. Objective: To determine the effect of feeding two levels (3.8 L or 5.7 L) of pasteurized whole milk divided into two equal feedings daily supplemented with or without an all-milk pasteurized milk balancer product (Land O' Lakes Pasteurized Milk Balancer) on growth and health of dairy calves. STUDY (In-progress)Supplementing Two Pasteurized Milk Balancer Products to Pasteurized Whole Milk on the Health and Growth of Dairy Calves. Objective: To determine the effect of feeding 1.5 gallons ( 5.7 L) of pasteurized whole milk divided into two equal feedings daily supplemented with or without pasteurized milk balancer products (Land O' Lakes Pasteurized All-Milk Protein Balancer or Protein Blend Balancer) on growth and health of dairy calves. PARTICIPANTS: NC State University Faculty: Dr. Brinton A. Hopkins, Ph.D.; Professor and Principal Investigator; Dr. Geoff Smith, Ph.D., DVM; Associate Professor and collaborator; Dr. Shannon Davidson, Ph.D.; Extension Dairy Associate and collaborator.TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for these research studies include dairy nutrition professionals; veterinarians; graduate students; undergraduate students; and dairy farm owners, managers and operators. PARTICIPANTS: PARTICIPANTS: NC State University Faculty: Dr. Brinton A. Hopkins, Ph.D.; Professor and Principal Investigator; Dr. Geoff Smith, Ph.D., DVM; Associate Professor and collaborator; Dr. Shannon Davidson, Ph.D.; Extension Dairy Associate and collaborator. NC State University Students: Kristen Glosson, Graduate Student; Laura Such, Undergraduate Student; Ginger Hobgood, Undergraduate Staudent. North Carolina Department of Agriculture Piedmont Research Station; North Carolina Dairy Foundation; North Carolina State University Lake Wheeler Road Dairy Research and Educational Unit TARGET AUDIENCES: TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for these research studies include dairy nutrition professionals; veterinarians; graduate students; undergraduate students; and dairy farm owners, managers and operators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
STUDY (Completed)Holstein heifers (n=44) and steers (n=22)(4 months old) were randomly assigned to treatments containing approximately 16% CP(and 3 different levels of ADF). Treatment diets included the following sources of chopped forage and (% ADF): 1: Control: 30% cottonseed hulls based TMR (21%) 2: corn stover (21%) 3: fescue hay (21%) 4: wheat straw (21%) 5: corn stover (18%) 6: fescue hay (18%) 7: wheat straw (18%) 8: corn stover (24%) 9: fescue hay (24%)10: wheat straw (24%). STUDY (Completed):Effect of a Mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos from Alltech) on Health and Growth of Holstein and Jersey Calves.All calves were fed high quality colostrum on day one. Holstein (n=30) and Jersey (n=18) heifer calves were fed whole milk once daily (with or without 7 grams of Bio-Mos) from day 2 through day 56 and a high quality calf starter and water. Following weaning, the calves were fed a 30% cottonseed hull based heifer grower TMR through 180 days of age. STUDY (Completed): 80 Holstein female dairy calves were assigned at birth to one of 4 treatment groups. Colostrum and whole milk was pasteurized using a commercial batch pasteurizer (DT30G pasteurizer from DairyTech, Inc.) that heats the colostrum and whole milk to 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) for 60 minutes. Calves were fed 3.8 L of pasteurized colostrum within 1 to 2 hours of birth.Calves were fed a high quality calf starter and water from day one. Following weaning at 56 d of age, calves were fed a 30% cottonseed hull based heifer grower TMR through 180 days of age.Treatments: 1:3.8 L of pasteurized whole milk until weaning at 56 d of age. 2: 3.8 L of pasteurized whole milk (supplemented with 0.5 pounds of Land O' Lakes Pasteurized Milk Balancer per gallon of milk; until weaning at 56 d of age. 3: 3.8 L of pasteurized whole milk for 14 d; then fed 5.7 L of pasteurized whole milk for 35 d (through 49 d of age); and then fed 2.85 L once daily for 7 d until weaning at 56 d of age. 4 : Calves were fed 3.8 L of pasteurized whole milk divided into two equal feedings for 14 d; then fed 5.7 L of pasteurized whole milk divided into two equal feedings daily for 35 d (through 49 d of age); and then fed 2.85 L once daily for 7 d until weaning at 56 days of age. (Land O' Lakes Pasteurized Milk Balancer was supplemented at 0.5 pounds per gallon of milk to this treatment). Results from these trials will be used to help dairy farmers improve the health and growth of their animals.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: STUDY (Completed): Effect of Feeding Supplemental Rumen-Protected Niacin on Production Parameters in Early Lactation Holstein Cows. Results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA). A research article detailing this study will be submitted for publication in the Journal of Dairy Science. STUDY (In-progress):Development of Alternative Dairy Heifer Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for North Carolina Dairy Farms. Effective fiber causes the heifer to chew and stimulates saliva production to help buffer the rumen. Effective fiber is essential for healthy rumen function and prevention of low fiber disorders such as acidosis, and founder. NC State University researchers have developed a self-fed 30 percent cottonseed hull based heifer TMR that is an excellent ration for post-weaned heifers. The price of cottonseed hulls can fluctuate widely depending on the season of the year and their availability in the market.This study is evaluating alternative sources of "effective fiber" in place of cottonseed hulls. STUDY (In-progress):Effect of a Mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos from Alltech) on Health and Growth of Holstein and Jersey Calves. This study is designed to determine the effect of supplementing Bio-Mos mannanoligosaccharide on health and growth of Holstein and Jersey calves and to compare growth parameters and feed efficiency in Holstein and Jersey calves from birth through 180 days of age. PARTICIPANTS: NC State University Faculty: Dr. Brinton A. Hopkins, Ph.D.; Professor and Principal Investigator; Dr. Lon Whitlow, Ph.D.; Professor and collaborator; Dr. Geoff Smith, Ph.D., DVM; Associate Professor and collaborator; Dr. Shannon Davidson, Ph.D.; Extension Dairy Associate and collaborator. The protected niacin study was the research project for Dusti Vanderwende Small as part of her requirement for the M.S. degree in Nutrition and Animal Science. The mannanoligosaccharide study is a research project for Ginger Hobgood and Laura Such, who are both undergraduate honors program students majoring in Animal Science. Animals and facilities provided by NC State University and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for these research studies include dairy nutrition professionals; veterinarians; graduate students; undergraduate students; and dairy farm owners, managers and operators. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
STUDY (Completed): Effect of Feeding Supplemental Rumen-Protected Niacin on Production Parameters in Early Lactation Holstein Cows: Eighty-six multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of three treatments to investigate the effects of 0, 6 and 12 g/d supplemental rumen-protected niacin (Niashure) from 35 to 142 days in milk (DIM). Cows received a corn silage based total mixed ration fed ad libitum twice daily through individual Calan feeding stations. At the morning feeding all cows received 21 g/d of a topdress composed of a bentonite carrier blended with treatments of 0, 6, or 12 g/d Niashure. There were no significant treatment effects on skin temperatures, body weights, or body condition scores. Milk yield (kg/d), fat (%), protein (%), lactose (%), milk urea nitrogen (MUN) (mg/dL), and dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/d) were (38.4, 4.0, 2.9, 4.8, 21.1, 24.9), (40.2, 3.9, 2.8, 4.7, 21.3, 24.9), and (40.0, 4.0, 2.9, 4.8, 21.3, 24.5), for treatments of 0, 6, and 12 g/d Niashure, respectively, with no significant treatment effects. In comparison to control, Niashure supplementation of 12 g/d tended to improve feed efficiency (kg milk / kg DMI) from 1.58 to 1.65. In comparison to control, supplementation of 6 g/d Niashure significantly improved feed efficiency from 1.58 to 1.69. STUDY (In-progress):Development of Alternative Dairy Heifer Total Mixed Rations (TMR) for North Carolina Dairy Farms. Sixty-six (66) Holstein heifers (4 months old) are being randomly assigned to treatments (total mixed rations (TMR) formulated to contain approximately 16% crude protein (and 3 different levels of acid-detergent fiber). Treatment diets will include the following sources of effective fiber: Treatment 1: Control: 30% cottonseed hulls based TMR (21% ADF) Treatment 2: chopped corn stover TMR (21 % ADF) Treatment 3: chopped fescue hay TMR (21% ADF) Treatment 4: chopped wheat straw TMR (21% ADF) Treatment 5: chopped corn stover TMR (18 % ADF) Treatment 6 chopped fescue hay TMR (18% ADF) Treatment 7: chopped wheat straw TMR (18% ADF) Treatment 8: chopped corn stover TMR (24 % ADF) Treatment 9: chopped fescue hay TMR (24% ADF) Treatment 10: chopped wheat straw TMR (24% ADF) STUDY (In-progress):Effect of a Mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos from Alltech) on Health and Growth of Holstein and Jersey Calves.Holstein (n=30) and Jersey (n=18) heifer calves are being randomly assigned to one of two treatments (within breed) at birth. Calves are housed in individual outdoor calf hutches through 63 days of age. Seven days following weaning, calves are placed into small group pens. Diets:All calves are fed high quality colostrum (tested to be in the green zone with a colostrometer) on day one. Calves are fed whole milk once daily (with or without 7 grams of Bio-Mos) from day 2 through day 56 and a high quality calf starter and water. The calf starter contains 15% cottonseed hulls, ground corn grain, soybean meal-48%, soy hulls, dried molasses, salt, Rumensin, and minerals.Following weaning, the calves will be adjusted to a 30% cottonseed hull based heifer grower TMR mix for 7 days. Calves will be fed this TMR through 180 days of age.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project Title: Effect of Feeding Supplemental Rumen-Protected Niacin (Niashure) on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Ketosis Incidence in Early Lactation Holstein Cows. Objective: To determine the effect of feeding 0, 6, or 12 g per day of supplemental Niashure on milk yield, milk composition, NEFA, BHBA, and heat stress in multiparous early lactation Holstein dairy cows. Materials & Methods: 92 multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments, balanced by previous ME milk. 6 cows were removed from the trial due to health problems unrelated to treatments. Niashure was blended with sodium bentonite as a carrier to provide 0, 6, or 12 g Niashure daily in a 21 g dose of supplement and top-dressed on the a.m. feeding inside each Calan feeding station from 3 wk through 23 wk in milk. Cows received a corn silage-based TMR, 2x daily for ad lib intake and 10% orts. TMR samples were collected weekly, frozen at -17 degrees C then thawed,dried and ground through a Wiley Mill fitted with a 1 mm screen. They were composited by month and analyzed for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, protein fractions and minerals. A 12-month composite was submitted for a more comprehensive analysis of protein, fat, and fiber.Cows were milked 2x daily;yields were automatically recorded. Weekly milk samples from each cow were composited from consecutive a.m. and p.m. milkings and analyzed for fat, protein, MUN, SNF, and lactose. Skin temperatures were detected with an infrared thermometer in a hairless area near the rear udder attachment 5 days per wk during the p.m. milking. Ambient temperatures and humidity levels were recorded for each 24-hr period during the trial.Blood was collected prior to the a.m. feeding on days 35+or-3, 42+or-3, 49+or-3, and 56+or-3. Following centrifugation, plasma supernatant from EDTA tubes was decanted and frozen at -17 degrees C in non-sterile polypropylene tubes. The second tube (no additive) was refrigerated for 1 to 2 hr, and serum was decanted and frozen. Frozen plasma was analyzed for NEFA and BHBA. BW and BCS were recorded 1x per wk for each cow. Data from 86 cows were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA (Littell et al. 1998) using the mixed procedure with autoregressive (1) covariance structure (SAS Institute, 2004). LS means were compared using the PDIFF option (lsd procedure) with significance declared at P< 0.05. Results and Discussion: There were no effects on DMI, BW, BW gain, or BCS. There were no treatment effects on milk yield or milk component concentration or yields. 4% ECM and 4% FCM were calculated and no treatment effects were observed. Niashure supplementation improved feed efficiency when calculated as milk yield/DMI (P<0.05), but other measures of feed efficiency, ECM/DMI and FCM/DMI, demonstrated no treatment effects. Treatments did not affect levels of NEFA and BHBA in blood plasma. There were no treatment effects on skin temperature, although skin temperature was affected by weeks in milk (P<0.01). There was a trend for treatment to affect skin temperature when difference from average control temperature was calculated to eliminate the impact of ambient temperature changes (P<0.10), however, values were very low. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Brinton A. Hopkins, Professor, Department of Animal Science Dr. Lon W. Whitlow, Professor, Department of Animal Science Dr. Stephen M. Emanuele, Balchem Corporation Dr. Geoff Smith, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Shannon Davidson, Consultant Dusti Vanderwende, Graduate Student, Department of Animal Science TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include dairy producers, dairy industry personnel, veterinarians, extension agents, and university professionals. Presentation of the results were given at the 2009 national meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and will be presented at dairy producer meetings and conferences. A research article will be written for publication in the Journal of Dairy Science. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Although neither 6 nor 12 g Niashure supplementation affected milk yields or DMI in fresh multiparous Holstein cows, feed efficiency expressed as milk yield/DMI (kg/kg) was significantly improved (P<0.05). When milk yield was expressed as FCM or ECM there was a tendency to improve feed efficiency (P=0.13). There was also a trend for treatment effects on skin temperature relative to control (P<0.1), but it is unexplained why 6 g Niashure increased skin temperature and 12 g decreased it. It is suggested that increases in skin temperature indicate loss of body heat and reduction of core body temperatures.
Publications
- Hill, S.R., B.A. Hopkins*, S. Davidson, S.M. Bolt, D.E. Diaz, C. Brownie, T. Brown, G.B. Huntington, and L.W. Whitlow. The Addition of Cottonseed Hulls to the Starter and Supplementation of Live Yeast or Manannoligosaccharide in the Milk for Young Calves. J. Dairy Sci. 2009 92: 790-798.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Study: Effect of Feeding Supplemental Rumen-Protected Niacin (Niashure) on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Ketosis Incidence in Early Lactation Holstein Cows. A study is being conducted to determine the effect of feeding 0, 6, or 12 grams per day of supplemental rumen-protected niacin (Niashure) on milk yield, milk composition, plasma non-esterified fatty acids, plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate, and heat stress response in multiparous early lactation Holstein dairy cows. Ninety multiparous Holstein cows from the Piedmont Research Station near Salisbury, NC, were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, balanced by previous lactation milk yields. Cows began receiving treatments at 30 days in milk and remained on trial until 142 days in milk. All cows received a corn silage-based total mixed ration that was fed ad libitum twice per day through individual Calan feeding stations. Rumen-protected niacin (Niashure) treatments were mixed with a bentonite carrier and top-dressed inside the feeding station of each individual cow during the morning feeding each day, using a 21-gram scoop. The three treatments consisted of a control (bentonite), 6 grams Niashure supplement, and 12 grams Niashure supplement. Milk yields were recorded at each milking (twice per day). Milk samples were composited from consecutive morning and afternoon milkings once per week and analyzed at the United DHIA lab (Blacksburg, VA) for milk composition including fat, protein, urea nitrogen, and lactose. Fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk will be calculated using milk yield and composition data.Blood samples were collected from each cow before the morning feeding at 35+/-5, 42+/-5, 49+/-5, and 56+/-5 days in milk. Blood collected in vacutainers containing EDTA were centrifuged for 20 minutes at 2500 x g. The plasma supernatant was removed and frozen until analysis for beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations at Michigan State University Diagnostic Laboratories (Lansing, MI). Blood was also collected in vacutainers containing no additive. Samples were refrigerated for two to three hours before they were centrifuged for 20 minutes at 2500 x g. The serum supernatant was removed and frozen in case further blood analysis is appropriate. Ambient temperature and humidity levels in the barn were recorded in the morning and evening. Skin temperatures were recorded five days per week at the afternoon milking using an infrared thermometer at the udder attachment. Cows were weighed and body condition scored (1 to 5 scale) weekly. TMR feed samples were collected weekly and frozen. Samples were thawed and dried for 48 hours in a 60 degree C oven and ground through a Wiley mill fitted with a 1 mm screen. They were composited by month and will be analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, protein fractions and minerals at Cumberland Valley Analytical Services (Hagerstown, MD). Dissemination: Information from this research study will be presented at the national meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and at dairy producer meetings and conferences. PARTICIPANTS: The principal investigator is a Professor in the Department of Animal Science at North Carolina State University. Cooperators and collaborators included faculty members in the Department of Animal Science and College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. This research study also served as the primary research project for a graduate student in the Department of Animal Science who is pursuing the M.S. degree as a co-major in Animal Science and Nutrition. Additional collaboration was provided by a contact at Balchem Corporation that manufactures the Niashure used in this research study. Collaborative efforts including facilities, cattle, and operational personnel were provided by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Piedmont Research Station. Funding sources for this research study included Balchem Corporation and the North Carolina Dairy Foundation, Inc. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include dairy producers, dairy industry personnel, veterinarians, extension agents, and university professionals. Presentation of the results will be made at the national meeting of the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) and at dairy producer meetings and conferences. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Information gained from this research study will be used to develop recommendations for feeding rumen-protected niacin to early lactation dairy cows. This information can be used to improve milk yields, reduce ketosis, and improve dairy cow response to heat stress factors.
Publications
- S. Davidson, B. A. Hopkins, J. Odle, C. Brownie, V. Fellner, and L. W. Whitlow. 2008. Supplementing Limited Methionine Diets with Rumen-Protected Methionine, Betaine, and Choline in Early Lactation Holstein Cows. J Dairy Sci 2008 91: 1552-1559.
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