• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2003

Supplementary feeding strategies were evaluated from pre-calving throughout lactation on 24 dual-purpose Mpwapwa breed cows in their second or greater lactation, weighing 246-455 kg. The Mpwapwa breed is an established breed of 4 Bos indicus breeds and 8% of Bos taurus. The cows were penned and stall-fed individually. Eight weeks before calving to eight weeks after calving, the cows were divided into two groups and offered hay ad libitum with either 2 kg DM (L) or 4 kg DM/day (H) concentrates. Nine weeks after calving half of the cows on L-level continued with 2 kg DM/day (L-L) while the remainder received 4 kg DM concentrate daily (L-H). Half of the cows on H-group continued with 4 kg DM/day (H-H) while the remainder received 2 kg DM/day (H-L). The concentrate mixture comprised of sunflower seed cake (33%) and maize bran (67%). The cows consumed all the concentrate offered. Hay DM intake was similar (6.8 kg/day) and tended to decrease the last two weeks before calving increased again after calving. Live weight change and body condition score were similar across treatments before calving but differed after calving (p<0.05). Heavier cows with higher condition score pre-calving had a higher body weight loss and regained weight later. After treatment reallocation, live weight change and condition differed between treatments (p<0.05). Calves were allowed to suckle milk from one quarter. The amount of milk suckled and calf weight gains were not significantly different between treatments. The cows were removed from the experiment when the milk yield was below 4 kg per day. Cows on treatment H produced 6.2 kg and on treatment L 5.0 kg saleable milk/day (p<0.05) during the first 8 weeks post partum. During the period 9-18 weeks post partum the saleable daily milk on H-H, L-H, H-L and L-L were 5.2, 4.8, 4.7 and 4.3 kg, respectively (p>0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.471-476
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• 1995

The relationship between udder maximum capacity (36-h accumulated milk yield) and the response of dairy cows (average producers) to thrice-daily milking was studied in 25 Friesian and 15 Jersey cows using the technique of half-udder study. Maximum half-udder capacity (acual yield) as well as whole udder capacity (estimated by udder measurements) was not altered significantly after 12-day thrice-daily milking period compared with a similar twice-daily period, although there was a positive response to increased milking frequency on secretion rate during this period. No effect of breed, season of the year or stage of lactation was observed on the above relationship. Hours-worth of capacity was higher with increased milking frequency, with Jersey than Friesian. These results suggest that udder capacity is not a limiting factor in increased milk production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1105-1109
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• 2005

The effect of dietary fatty acid supplementation on milk production, milk composition and plasma constituents in dairy cows was examined. Dietary fatty acids including mainly palmitic acid and stearic acid were given to cows from 2 weeks before and 8 weeks after parturition. Weekly gain of daily milk production was increased gradually during early lactation period and reached a plateau at 4 weeks after parturition. Weekly gain of daily milk production in lactating cows received dietary fatty acids was significantly higher than that of cows given a control diet alone. Although milk lactose concentration was slightly decreased by dietary fatty acid supplementation, milk fat and protein were not significantly influenced by dietary fatty acid supplementation. Dietary fatty acids did not affect plasma concentrations of triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acids, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose during postpartum. It is suggested that dietary fatty acid supplementation has the potency to enhance energy balance and improve milk yield without any adverse effects on milk composition.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.774-780
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• 2000

For this study three types of block such as medicated urea-molasses-mineral block (MUMMB, 7% urea), urea-molasses-mineral blocks ($UMMB_a$ 7% urea) and urea-molasses-mineral blocks ($UMMB_b$ 21% urea) were prepared. Naturally infested 24 indigenous dairy cows with gastrointestinal nematodes were used to study the effect of MUMMB, $UMMB_a$ and $UMMB_b$ on different parameters (body weight, milk yield, serum urea level, milk urea level). The cows were offered normal diet added with 250 g block per cow for every day. Straw and green grasses were used as basal diet in the ration. The managemental facilities for all cows of each group were similar. Cows were stall fed, calves were tied up at night and had free access to their dam during day time. Milking was done once daily in the morning. The daily average live weight gains by MUMMB, $UMMB_a$, $UMMB_b$, and control group (no block) were 52.08 g, 44.44 g, 48.58 g, and 1.41 g respectively. The live weight gain were statistically significant (p<0.01) in comparison to control group. The highest daily milk yield was observed in MUMMB treated cows (2.39 L/d); followed by $UMMB_b$ treated cows (1.82 L/d) and $UMMB_a$ treated cows (2.16 L/d). The lowest milk yield was found in control group (1.54 L/d). This result differs significantly (p<0.05) between treated groups and also with control group. During urea-molasses-mineral blocks $UMMB_a$, $UMMB_b$ licking milk urea level increased from initial $22.76{\pm}2.35mg/dl$ to $35.46{\pm}4.80mg/dl$ and initial $22.86{\pm}2.96mg/dl$ to $40.66{\pm}0.87mg/dl$ respectively. This variation of milk urea level was statistically significant (p<0.001). Similarly during $UMMB_a$, and $UMMB_b$ blocks licking, serum urea level increased in both treated groups from initial $22.76{\pm}2.60mg/dl$ to $32.68{\pm}2.21$ and initial $23.70{\pm}2.78mg/dl$ to $40.48{\pm}3.24mg/dl$, respectively. This variation of serum urea level was also statistically significant (p<0.001). Use of MUMMB instead of UMMB was proved better for milk production and live weight gain in dairy cows under the village condition of Bangladesh where balanced ration for dairy cows are a major scarcity. And various concentration of urea in blocks positively affect milk and serum urea levels of indigenous dairy cows.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.410-421
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• 2022

Objective: Two series of experiments were conducted to determine how the incremental levels of sodium metabisulfite (SMB)-treated fruit and vegetable discards (FVD) in diet of Hanwoo heifers and cows affect their performance and health. Methods: In Exp. 1, 36 Hanwoo heifers were stratified by age (13.3±0.83 mo) and initial body weight (305±19.7 kg), and divided randomly to one of three diets containing 0%, 10%, or 20% SMB-treated FVD (as-fed basis). The experiment lasted 110 d, including 20 d of adaptation. In Exp. 2, 24 multiparous Hanwoo cows were divided into three groups based on age (48.2±2.81 mo) and initial body condition score (2.64±0.33). Cows in each block were assigned randomly to one of three diets containing 0%, 11%, or 22% SMB-treated FVD (as-fed basis). The experiment lasted 80 d, including a 20-d adaptation period. In both experiments, SMB-treated FVD was used as a replacement for wet brewers grain in total mixed ration (TMR). Results: Growing heifers exhibited no differences in their daily feed intake (6.58±0.61 kg/d dry matter [DM]), average daily gain (0.60±0.07 kg/d), and body condition score when they consumed the incremental levels of SMB-treated FVD. Although most blood metabolites were unaffected by treatments, blood urea-N and β-hydroxybutyrate levels decreased linearly as the SMB-treated FVD level increased in TMR. Similar to Exp. 1, minor differences were found in daily feed intake (8.27±0.72 kg DM/d) and body condition score of Hanwoo cows. Most blood metabolites remained unaffected by treatments, but blood urea-N decreased as the SMB-treated FVD level in TMR increased. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SMB-treated FVD could be safely incorporated into the diet of Hanwoo heifers and cows, potentially improving N-use efficiency in the body while not impairing performance or health.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.784-793
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• 2004

Major objective was to evaluate three doses of bST (POSILAC(R)) injected into Holstein cows during the transition period and through 56 d of lactation for potential to improve DMI, BCS, BW, metabolites, hormones, IGF-I and milk production. Biweekly injections of bST (0, 5.1, 10.2, or 15.3 mg bST/d) began 28 d before expected parturition and continued through 56 d postpartum. Twenty-three of the 25 multiparous Holstein cows assigned randomly to four groups completed experiment (7, 5, 6 and 5 cows/group, respectively). The DMI, BW and BCS were recorded weekly throughout the prepartum and postpartum periods and blood samples were collected thrice weekly for analyses of ST, insulin, $T_{4}$, $T_{3}$, IGF-I, glucose and NEFA. Milk yields were recorded daily through 60 d postpartum and milk components measured once weekly. Mathematical model for data analyses for prepartum and postpartum periods included treatment, calving month, and the two-factor interaction. Cows injected with 10.2 and 15.3 mg bST prepartum had greater mean prepartum concentrations of ST and IGF-I. Prepartum injections of bST did not affect prepartum BW or BCS. On average, cows injected postpartum better maintained their BCS during first 60 d of lactation (3.15$\pm$0.06, 3.12$\pm$0.007, 3.20$\pm$0.006 and 3.58$\pm$0.009). Treatments did not affect mean prepartum DMI but cows injected with 15.3 mg bST/d had greatest DMI and greatest mean daily MY during the first 3 wk and tended to be greater during first 60 d of lactation. Cows injected with two highest bST doses (10.1 and 15.2 mg/d) had greater mean postpartum concentrations of ST and $T_{3}$, but IGF-I, $T_{4}$, glucose and NEFA did not differ across groups. No adverse effects of bST treatment were observed.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.433-450
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• 2002

The daily food intake for dairy cows has to be effectively controlled to breed a sound group of cows as well as to enhance the productivity of the cows. But, feed stuffs are fed in the common bulk for a group of cows in most cases despite that the individual food intake has to be varied. To obtain the feed for each cow, both the nutrient requirements and the nutrient composition of fred have to be provided in advance, which are based on the status of cows such as weigh marginal weight amount of milk, fat concentration in milk, growth and milking stages, and rough feed ratio, etc. Then, the mixed ration fur diet would be computed by the nutrient requirements constraints. However, when TMR (Total Mixed Ration) is conventionally supplied for a group of cows, it is almost impossible to get an optimal feed mixed ration meeting the nutrient requirements of each individual cow since the constraints are usually conflicting and over-constrained although they are linear. Hence, addressed in this paper is a simulated annealing (SA) technique to find the food intake for dairy cows, considering the characteristics of individual or grouped cows. Appropriate parameters fur the successful working of SA are determined through preliminary experiments. The parameters include initial temperature, epoch length. cooling scheduling, and stopping criteria. In addition, a neighborhood solution generation method for the effective improvement of solutions is presented. Experimental results show that the final solution for the mixture of feed fits the rough feed ratio and some other nutrient requirements such as rough fiber, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber, with 100 percent, while fulfilling net energy for lactating, metabolic energy, total digestible nutrients, crude protein, and undegraded intake protein within average five percent.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.658-664
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• 2002

This study was conducted to determine a proper feeding regime for lactating Holstein cows during the warm season in Taiwan. In Feeding Trial, 21 lactating Holstein cows were randomly allotted into three feeding regimes in a Completely Randomized Design. The feeding regimes were roughage fed ad libitum along with concentrate fed either twice daily (2C) or four times daily (4C), and total mixed ration (TMR) for 8 weeks. No significant differences among the three feeding regimes were found in body weight changes, and intakes in terms of dry matter, crude protein and net energy. For milk yield and 4% FCM yield, 4C were higher than the other two feeding regimes (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in milk compositions or differences noted in the yields of the respective milk components. TMR was worse than 2C and 4C (p<0.05) in milk production efficiencies in terms of dry matter intake per kg milk yield, crude protein intake per kg milk protein yield, as well as dry matter intake, net energy intake and crude protein intake per kg 4% FCM yield. Three ruminally fistulated Holstein dry cows were randomly assigned into the same three feeding regimes in a 3${\times}$3 Latin Square Design. No significant differences were found among the feeding regimes in ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, total VFA concentration, molar percentages of VFA, and acetic acid: propionic acid ratio (C$_2$/C$_3$). Taken all together, roughage fed ad libitum and concentrate fed four times daily was the better feeding regime for lactating cows during the warm season in Taiwan.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.571-574
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• 1989

Five multiparous and four nulliparous cross-bred cows were administered s/c with oestradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone 0.1 mg and 0.25 mg/kg. b.w./day for 7 days and 2 mg s/c twice daily of reserpine on days 9 to 12. Lactation was successfully induced in all animals for periods from 258 to 476 days. All animals were dried off for a minimum of 2 months. Subsequently, they were injected s/c with oestradiol valerate and hydroxyprogesterone caproate at 0.1 mg and 0.25 mg/kg. b.w./day on days 1 to 3 and 2 mg twice daily of reserpine on days 8 to 11. Lactation was successfully reinduced in all the cows for a period varying from 228 to 426 days.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.516-519
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing whole crop corn silage (WCCS) with whole crop rice silage (WCRS) in the total mixed ration (TMR) on nutrient intake, milk yield and its composition in Holstein cows. The Chucheong rice variety (Oryza sativa L. Japonica) and corn (Pioneer 32 P75) were harvested at yellow-ripe stage and were ensiled in round bales and in trench silos, respectively. Two TMR containing either WCCS or WCRS were prepared. These diets were randomly assigned to 16 midlactating Holstein cows (8 cows per treatment) and were fed for 120 days. The first 20 days were used for dietary adaptation and for the next 100 days daily feed intake, milk yield and its composition were recorded. The pH, lactic acid, NDF, ADF, CP, Ca and P contents were similar in WCRS and WCCS. The DM, ash and EE contents of WCRS were greater compared with WCCS. Nutrient (DM, NDF, TDN and CP) intakes were similar in cows fed WCCS- and WCRS-based TMR. Daily and 4% fat corrected milk yield were not affected by the treatments. Milk composition (percent milk fat, protein, lactose and total solids) was similar in cows fed either WCCS- or WCRSbased TMR. The concentration of milk urea N was greater in cows fed WCRS-based TMR than those fed WCCS-based TMR. In conclusion, round-baled WCRS can replace WCCS in the diet of mid- to late-lactating Holsteins without any deleterious effects on feed consumption, milk yield and its composition. The present findings raise the possibility that WCRS can be used as an alternative roughage source in the diets of dairy cows in countries with surplus rice production.