Bovine Nutrition and Metabolism 1 Flashcards
What are the three main aims of feeding cows?
Efficient production
Good rumen health
Good cow health
What is neutral detergent fibre?
Cell wall content - cellulose. hemicellulose and lignin
List four factors that the grass growth and intake depends on.
Soil type and rainfall
Variety +/- clover
Fertilizers
Sward quality
What are the main two objectives of grazing strategies?
Maximising DMI
Minimise damage to pasture
List 5 types of grazing strategy
Continuous
Rotational
Strip
Zero
Extended
List three methods of conserving grass
Silage
Haylage
Hay
How do maize silage and whole crop cereals differ in energy and protein content?
Maize silage - high energy, low in protein
Whole crop cereals - decreased energy, increased protein (increased milk quality)
What is the pH in silage making for primary fermentation?
pH < 4.5
List four silage additives and descibe how they will affect the silage.
Acids or acid salts - decreased pH
Sugars - increase soluble carbohydrate, increase palatability
Inoculants - start fermentation
Enzymes - release carbohydrates
What is the content of straw?
Very high dry matter intake but extremely fibrous and decreased nutrient density
What are the three types of supplementary feeds used in cattle?
Straights
Compounds
Premixed blends
What are straights used for in cattle?
Energy or protein feeds
What are compounds in cattle feed and what do they contain?
Mixture of straights milleds and pelleted.
Formulated to specification
What is the first rate limiting step when feeding cows?
Voluntary feed intake
List six cow factors that will affect voluntary feed intake.
Size
Yield
Condition score
Stage of pregnancy
Prescence of other animals
Familiarity
