Milk Composition and Production Efficiency within Feed-To-Yield Systems on Commercial Dairy Farms in Northern Ireland
Date
2022-07-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
This study examined the relationships between milk yield and diet composition, nutrient
intakes, milk composition, and feed use efficiency when concentrates were offered using a feedto-
yield (FTY) approach. The study was conducted on 26 dairy farms in Northern Ireland. Cows
(n = 3471) were fully housed and were offered concentrates on an FTY basis. Individual cow genetic
information was obtained for 18 herds. Concentrate intakes of individual cows were either obtained
from the farms or calculated, while milk yield and milk composition data were obtained from test-day
milk recording. Mean test-day milk yields during months 2 to 5 post-calving were calculated for each
cow, and cows within each lactation were placed into one of six equal-sized milk yield (kg/cow/day)
groups. Diet effects and performance responses to milk yield groups were tested for linear and
quadratic effects. Total dry matter intakes increased with increasing milk yield. Milk fat and milk
protein concentration declined as milk yield increased, which could be attributed in part to genetics
and diet. As milk yield increased, nitrogen and energy use efficiency was improved. However,
concentrates offered per kg of energy-corrected milk also increased at higher milk yields, indicating
an increased reliance on concentrates for these cows.
Description
Publication history: Accepted - 5 July 2022; Published - 11 July 2022.
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Keywords
dairy cattle, feed-to-yield, milk composition, concentrate use efficiency, nitrogen efficiency
Citation
Craig, A.-L., Gordon, A.W., Hamill, G. and Ferris, C.P. (2022) ‘Milk Composition and Production Efficiency within Feed-To-Yield Systems on Commercial Dairy Farms in Northern Ireland’, Animals. MDPI AG. doi:10.3390/ani12141771.