An evaluation of major nutrients in dairy pasture in New Zealand and their effects on milk production and herd reproductive performance : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science at Massey University, Palmerston North
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1997
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Massey University
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This thesis presents the results of seven experiments or trials between August 1990 and November 1994 designed to study the causes and effects of the variation in nutrient content within dairy pasture in New Zealand and their impact on dairy cow lactation and reproductive performance. The work includes the results of two observational studies; a survey of seasonal variation in dairy pasture nutrients on four dairy farms; two controlled field trials of supplementation of pasture fed cows in seven commercial dairy herds (involving 1650 cows); an experiment recording changes in pasture nutrients with grazing, maturity and soil phosphate levels; and a replicated split plot trial measuring changes in pasture nutrients after nitrogen (N) application. Trials or experiments involved aspects of agronomy and pasture management, herd reproductive performance and dairy cow nutrition. A common theme of the work was examination of factors affecting the high crude protein levels present in the diets of dairy cows consuming fresh ryegrass/white clover pasture, measurement of this and testing of some practices that may affect the productive penalties caused by these high protein levels. Section 1 of the thesis deals with the initial observations (Chapter 1) and a survey of pasture nutrient changes through all seasons on four dairy farms (Chapter 2). The first chapter describes the initial observational studies over two springs (1990 and 1991) in nine commercial dairy herds and additional survey information from 35 herds (1991). There was a strong negative relationship between urea levels in blood (or milk) and milk production in three separate datasets using principal component analysis (PCA). Milk urea levels related closely to pasture protein levels and especially protein/soluble carbohydrate ratios in pasture. Herd reproductive performance was also worse in the herds with higher urea levels. For example, the four herds observed in 1990 averaged 23.62, 24.09, 20.91 and 21.88% for pasture crude protein; 7.38, 8.20, 5.85 and 6.20 mmol/l for serum urea; and 0.74, 0.75, 0.94 and 0.91 kg milkfat/cow/day respectively over the 17 week period. "Empty" (non-pregnant) cow percentages for the herds were 10.6%, 4.2%, 1.8% and 3.1% respectively. Tentative conclusions were made on the basis of these findings relating especially to the potential negative effects of excess dietary crude protein in pasture on milk production and on herd reproductive performance. These conclusions were then explored in more depth and reported in subsequent chapters. Seasonal changes in pasture nutrients on dairy farms were measured by analysing pasture collected over two years from four dairy farms of varying soil type and climate (Chapter 2). Two of the farms were at Massey University and two in the Waikato district. All farms were of above average productivity for their district. Samples were collected every two weeks from each farm and represented pasture about to be consumed by cows on these farms. These were analysed for major nutrients or analytes (crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), soluble carbohydrates (SOLCHO), pectin, digestibility (DOMD), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium) using near infra red spectrometry (NIRS). Highest pasture CP, DOMD, and SOLCHO levels were found in spring and autumn (ranging from 23.6-25.8%, 75.4-78.1% and 9-12% DM respectively) with lowest ADF, NDF and pectin levels (ranging from 27-28%, 36-38% and 1.8% respectively). The converse applied to the summer period with 20-22% CP, 70-71% DOMD, 8-10% SOLCHO, and 29-31% ADF, 42-45% NDF and 2-2.5% pectin. Calcium and magnesium levels were highest in summer (0.8% and 0.2% respectively compared to 0.65% and 0.19% respectively), and potassium higher in spring and winter (3.2%). The potential consequences for milk production from dairy cows calving seasonally are discussed, with particular reference to the imbalance in the rumen between rumen degraded protein and fermentable carbohydrates. Especially notable were the seasonal differences in protein levels and the changes in the type of carbohydrate available in late spring/summer. Soluble carbohydrate decreased, and fibre expressed as NDF and ADF increased in late spring and summer. Section 2 of the thesis deals with supplementation trials on 6 commercial dairy herds (Chapter 3) and another supplementation trial on a 7th herd involving maize silage and concentrates (Chapter 4). Controlled supplementation trials on six commercial dairy herds (total 1380 cows) were carried out in spring 1992 to examine the reproductive and productive effects of supplementing pasture-fed cows with carbohydrates (either soluble carbohydrate or starch). Herds were split into treated and control groups on each farm to remove individual farm factors from the experiment and relatively low levels of either molasses (3 herds, 700 mls molasses/cow/day) or concentrate (3 herds, 1.3 kg concentrate/cow/day) were fed for an extended period in spring (approximately 90 days, from 1 September to 25 November). Significant milk production and reproductive effects were measured when results were pooled for all herds. Immediate responses were approximately 0.5 litres of milk per kg of supplement on average, but the main milk production response was observed later in the experiment (October and November) and was higher in better fed herds and those in better body condition. No effect was found on non-return rate or submission rate, but empty cow rates at the end of the mating season in the supplemented group were half those of the control groups (2.7% vs 5%). These results may indicate considerable productive and reproductive advantage in supporting pasture fed cows through October/November with appropriate supplement when ryegrass is in the reproductive phase, and has reduced digestibility which is likely to limit intake of ME. Improving diet quality or ME concentration at this stage may help reduce the monthly decline from peak lactation which typically occurs at this time in most districts in New Zealand. Chapter 4 describes a controlled supplementation trial which was carried out in spring 1993 on a 240 cow commercial dairy herd where the diet was formulated according to recommended nutrient levels for high production (NRC, 1989). The diet was improved in content of "bypass" protein, soluble carbohydrate, lipid and minerals. The base diet for control and treated groups was pasture and maize silage. Both control and treated herds were offered the same amount of metabolisable energy (ME) - ie. the diets were iso-energetic. Improved milk production (2 litres milk) and reproduction (2.7% empty vs 6%) occurred in response to the addition of the balancing concentrate in the treated group. There was a large carryover effect when the concentrate feeding ceased and the sole diet was pasture. Pasture dry matter assessment indicated the supplemented cows continued to consume more dry matter than control cows. The immediate response to supplementation was 1.25 litres/kg DM of supplement, and with the carryover response added exceeded 2.5 litres/kg DM of supplement. The immediate response improved after supplementation had continued for 2-3 weeks. This trial did not show substitution for pasture, but the converse. Improving the balance of dietary nutrients in pasture did improve performance. Section 3 of the thesis deals with aspects of grazing management, agronomy and the effects of application of nitrogen to pasture on the nutrients within pasture (Chapters 5 and 6). Variation in pasture nutrients from week to week was evident in the seasonal study presented in Chapter 2. More information regarding changes in pasture nutrients after grazing and as pasture matures was sought because this was considered a likely source of variation in productivity. In Chapter 5 nutrient levels in pasture were determined after grazing or in pasture left ungrazed by sampling every five days during spring from five sites located on two dairy farms. Sites were either grazed as part of normal rotation (3 sites) on the farm or were caged (2 sites) to prevent grazing. Conclusions from this study were limited by a lack of replication, but nevertheless highlighted reduced CP with maturity, increased NDF with maturity and immediately after grazing, reduced SOLCHO just after grazing and reduced digestibility with the advancement of spring into October. Pectin and calcium levels increased as spring advanced. The results were consistent with literature on the subject. The effects of the level of nitrogen fertiliser and the timing of application in spring on pasture nutrient composition were examined in the final experiment reported in Chapter 6. Nitrogen was identified from the literature as one of the main external influences likely to affect pasture protein levels. Nitrogen was applied as urea to small (2 m2) plots at 0, 20, 40 and 80 kg N/ha and at varying times (15 August, 31 August and 14 September) in late winter/early spring to dairy pasture at the Massey University Dairy Research Unit. The trial was a replicated split plot design with levels of N randomised within starting dates. Significantly reduced ADF and NDF levels, reduced SOLCHO, reduced dry matter %, and increased CP levels occurred after N application. Higher N rates produced greater changes. Application of N earlier in winter resulted in greater effects on ADF (2% difference vs 6%), NDF (2% difference vs 6%) and CP (5% vs 7%) but lesser effects on SOLCHO (1.5% difference vs 0.5%) and these lasted longer in wintery conditions. Effects on SOLCHO were more marked later in the experiment. Brix values (a refractometer measurement of juice squeezed from the herbage sample) were also examined as part of this study to evaluate their usefulness as a rapid measure of SOLCHO concentration; results were inconclusive. The consequences of the effects of N on pasture for dairy cows are discussed and possible dietary or management improvements to minimise the consequences are suggested. The increased protein and reduced fermentable carbohydrate (reduced SOLCHO and reduced ADF or NDF) mean that poorer rumen fermentation could occur after N application, with lower amounts of bacterial tissue presented to the small intestine from ruminal fluid. A final summarising chapter (Chapter 7) combines the conclusions from the various studies, indicates the need for further information and discusses how this might be obtained. Studies presented in this thesis have not conclusively shown that high CP in pasture has damaging effects on productivity, but have indicated strong associations and various factors influencing pasture CP and also other pasture nutrients.
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APPENDIX B.1.
Moller, S .N., Parker, W.J . & Edwards, N.J. ( 1 996). Within-year variation in pasture
quality has implications for dairy cow nutrition. Proceedings of the New
Zealand Grassland Association 57: 173-177.
APPENDIX B.2.
Moller, S., Matthew, C. & Wilson, G.P. ( 1 993). Pasture protein and soluble
carbohydrate levels in spring dairy pasture and associations with cow
performance. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production
53: 83-86.
APPENDIX B.3.
Moller, S. , Edwards, N.J., Parker, W.J., Hodgson, J. & Wilson, G.F. (1996). Nitrogen
application to dairy pasture - the effect of rate and timing of spring nitrogen
applications on the conentration of pasture nutrients. Proceedings of the New
Zealand Society of Animal Production 56: 276-279.
APPENDIX B.4.
Wilson, G.P. & Moller, S . (1993). Imbalances for New Zealand pastures for dairy
cows. In: Improving the quality and intake of pasture-based diets for lactating
dairy cows. pp. 59-70. (Eds N.J. Edwards & W.J. Parker). Occasional
Publication No. 1 , Department of Agricultural and Horticultural Systems
Management, Massey University.
APPENDIX B.5.
Wilson, G.F., Moller, S . , Parker, W.J. & Hodgson, J. (1995). Seasonal differences in
pasture composition and nutritional implications. Dairyfarming Annual, Massey
University: 46-56.
Keywords
Pasture, Grasses, Plant nutrients, Dairy cattle, Milk yield, New Zealand