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Nitrogen use efficiency, reticulo-ruminal pH and behaviour of lactating cows grazing either in a full-time system or in a part-time system with indoor feeding of fresh herbage and concentrate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2020

F. S. Akert ,
M. Kreuzer ,
P. Hofstetter Open the ORCID record for P. Hofstetter [Opens in a new window] ,
J. Berard  and
B. Reidy Open the ORCID record for B. Reidy [Opens in a new window]
F. S. Akert
Affiliation:
ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092Zurich, Switzerland HAFL Zollikofen, University of Applied Sciences Bern BFH, Länggasse 85, 3052Zollikofen, Switzerland
M. Kreuzer
Affiliation:
ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092Zurich, Switzerland
P. Hofstetter
Affiliation:
BBZN Lucerne, Vocational Education and Training Center for Nature and Nutrition, Chlosterbühl 28, 6170Schüpfheim, Switzerland
J. Berard
Affiliation:
ETH Zurich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Universitätstrasse 2, 8092Zurich, Switzerland ETH Zurich, AgroVet-Strickhof, Eschikon 27, 8315Lindau, Switzerland
B. Reidy*
Affiliation:
HAFL Zollikofen, University of Applied Sciences Bern BFH, Länggasse 85, 3052Zollikofen, Switzerland
*
Author for correspondence: B. Reidy, E-mail: beat.reidy@bfh.ch
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Abstract

Increasing herd size and fragmented or non-uniform land challenge pasture-based milk production systems. Therefore, part-time grazing combined with indoor feeding of fresh herbage (‘cut-and-carry’) allows to maintain the advantages of fresh-herbage-based diets. However, consequences for environmental nitrogen losses, animal behaviour and ruminal metabolism are decisive for its implementation. Animal performance, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), reticulo-ruminal pH and feeding/locomotive behaviour were compared in six cows subjected either to full-time grazing (system F) or to part-time grazing system with indoor feeding of fresh herbage and concentrate (system P). Biweekly samplings were performed on six lactating cows per treatment in spring, summer and autumn. Nitrogen (N) balance was calculated from estimated N intake and N output via faeces, urine and milk. Reticulo-ruminal pH was recorded using a wireless data recorder. Eating and locomotive behaviour were measured with noseband sensors and pedometers. In spring, but not later, herbage intake per unit of body weight was higher for system F compared to system P cows. Eating time was shorter by 15% in P compared to F cows. Across systems, NUE declined from spring to summer/autumn from about 300 to 200 g milk protein N/kg N intake. Reticulo-ruminal pH was more variable under part-time grazing conditions, with a pronounced decrease subsequent to offering the herbage indoors. The part-time grazing system resulted in similar or higher NUE than full-time grazing. Additional studies with larger numbers of experimental units are required to be able to develop comprehensive recommendations for the improvement of the two grazing systems.

Keywords

Cut and carryfresh herbagegrazingnitrogen use efficiencyreticulo-ruminal pH
Type
Animal Research Paper
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 158 , Issue 6 , August 2020 , pp. 527 - 538
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

*

Current Address: Agroscope, Rte de la Tioleyre 4, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland

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