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Prediction of energy status in first lactation dairy heifers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. J. Ducker ,
Rosemary A. Haggett ,
W. J. Fisher  and
S. V. Morant
M. J. Ducker
Affiliation:
Department of Dairy Husbandry, National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
Rosemary A. Haggett
Affiliation:
Department of Dairy Husbandry, National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
W. J. Fisher
Affiliation:
Department of Dairy Husbandry, National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
S. V. Morant
Affiliation:
Department of Dairy Husbandry, National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
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Abstract

Data from a large controlled experiment to investigate the effect of level of nutrition on reproductive performance were used to assess the value of production and blood measures as indicators of energy status in lactating dairy heifers. Live-weight change showed the strongest and most consistent relationship to mean energy balance (the difference between metabolizable energy intake and that used for milk production and maintenance) (P < 0·01 to P < 0·001). Body-condition score at a particular time was more closely related to mean energy balance in the preceding 4-week period (P < 0·05) than current energy balance. There was also a lag in the relationship between energy balance and live-weight change and mean body-condition score. Ultrasonic back fat measurements were significantly correlated with both loin and tailhead body-condition score (P < 0·001) but were more strongly related to mean energy balance in the preceding period (P < 0·05 to P < 0·001) than the body-condition scores.

Blood samples were taken from all heifers 2 weeks before calving and 1, 5, 9, 13 and 18 weeks after calving and were analysed for 13 constituents. Concentrations of blood metabolites did not show consistently strong correlations with mean energy balance. The only blood metabolite to be measurably affected by the nutritional treatments applied in lactation was β-hydroxybutyrate.

At best, combinations of production measures and blood metabolites were only able to predict the mean daily energy balance with a 95% confidence interval of ±20 MJ for an individual animal although this confidence interval was reduced to ±3 MJ for 100 animals.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 41 , Issue 2 , October 1985 , pp. 167 - 175
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1985

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References

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