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The effect of a fully-controlled out-of-parlour concentrate dispenser on the production of British Friesian dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

P. Rees  and
P. Rowlinson
P. Rees
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
P. Rowlinson
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
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Abstract

In two experiments the effect of giving concentrates to dairy cows from a fully-controlled out-of-parlour dispenser was compared with giving concentrates twice daily in the milking parlour. In experiment 1, 22 cows were used in a cross-over design during the first 19 weeks of lactation. In experiment 2, 34 cows were used in a continuous trial during the first 18 weeks of lactation. Weeks 1 to 3 of each experiment were used as a standardization period during which all cows were given equal amounts of concentrates twice a day during milking. At the end of this period cows were paired and assigned to receive concentrates either in the milking parlour (group P) or to receive 1·0 kg concentrates per day in the milking parlour and the remainder from an out-of-parlour dispenser (group O). Within pairs, between treatments, cows were offered the same amount of concentrates and allowed access to ad libitum silage. Means for milk yield, fat and solids-not-fat concentrations during experiment 1 were 25·1 v. 23·9 kg/day (P < 0·01), 36·5 v. 38·1 g/kg, 89·9 v. 89·1 g/kg (P < 0·001), and for experiment 2 were 27·1 v. 25·4 kg/day (P < 0·01), 39·8 v. 42·6 g/kg, and 90·9 v. 90·9 g/kg, for groups O and P respectively. Mean concentrate intakes during experiment 1 were 8·3 v. 8·4 kg/day (P < 0·01) and during experiment 2 were 8·9 v. 8·6 kg/day (P < 0·01) for groups O and P respectively. In both experiments, group O had more positive changes in weight and body condition score (P < 0·05). It is concluded that the use of the dispenser improved milk yield, weight and condition-score changes, though milk fat concentration was decreased compared to that of parlour-fed cows.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , August 1985 , pp. 43 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1985

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References

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