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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Whole-tract dry matter and nitrogen digestibility of lactating dairy cows selected for phenotypic divergence in residual feed intake

J. B. Thornhill A C , L. C. Marett A , M. J. Auldist A , J. S. Greenwood A , J. E. Pryce B , B. J. Hayes B and W. J. Wales A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Agriculture Research and Development Division, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 1301 Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank, Vic. 3821, Australia.

B Biosciences Research Division, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, AgriBio, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: josie.thornhill@depi.vic.gov.au

Animal Production Science 54(9) 1460-1464 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14200
Submitted: 11 March 2014  Accepted: 11 June 2014   Published: 23 July 2014

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to compare the whole-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows selected for divergent feed conversion efficiency. The experiment used 16 primiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows selected based on their residual feed intake (RFI) measured as growing calves. The cows were housed in individual metabolism stalls and fed lucerne cubes ad libitum plus 6 kg DM per day of crushed wheat grain. Feed intake, milk yield, faecal and urine output were measured for 5 days. Rumen fluid was collected per os from each cow on one occasion. Milk production parameters and intakes of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and N did not differ between RFI groups. Apparent whole-tract DM digestibility and N digestibility did not differ between RFI treatment groups. Rumen metabolites were also unaffected by RFI. In conclusion, divergence in RFI as calves was not associated with differences in whole-tract DM or N digestibility in lactating cows. Therefore, emphasis on selection for phenotypic divergence in RFI may not contribute to improved utilisation of consumed nutrients in Australian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows.

Additional keywords: digestion, energy partioning, feed conversion efficiency, Holstein-Friesian.


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