The effects of levels of concentrate offered and inclusion of maize gluten or fish meal in the concentrate on reproductive performance and blood parameters of dairy cows

Abstract

ABSTRACTFive randomized-block experiments were carried out over 2 years using British Friesian cows managed as three separate herds. The effects of offering cows different levels of concentrates, ranging from 0·8 to 7·2 kg/day, in addition to grass silagead libitumduring the winter period on reproductive performance was investigated. The effects of substituting 4 kg/day maize gluten, or 0·8 kg/day fish meal, for part or all of the standard concentrate were also examined.Neither level of concentrates nor the inclusion of maize-gluten meal significantly affected reproductive performance even where milk production and quality was considerably influenced. The inclusion of fish meal improved conception rates to all services (0·64v.0·44;P< 0·05) and reduced the number of services required per conception (1·62v.2·31;P< 0·01).Plasma urea levels were raised consistently by the feeding of fish meal and, with the exception of weeks 2 and 6 of lactation, by the feeding of higher levels of concentrates. From the 6th week of lactation levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in the blood were significantly higher in the group of cows receiving the highest level of concentrates. The BHB level at week 6 was correlated with the number of services required per conception.A number of relationships between production factors and fertility are also presented.