Full-lactation performance of multiparous dairy cows with differing residual feed intake

Abstract

Residual feed intake (RFI) is an efficiency trait underpinning profitability and environmental sustainability in dairy production. This study compared performance during a complete lactation of 36 multiparous dairy cows divided into three equal-sized groups with high (HRFI), intermediate (IRFI) or low RFI (LRFI). Residual feed intake was determined by two different equations. Residual feed intake according to the NorFor system was calculated as (RFI_NorFor) = (NE_intake)–(NE_maintenance + NE_gestation + NE_milk—NE_mobilisation + NE_deposition). Residual feed intake according to the USA National Research Council (NRC) (RFI_NRC) was calculated as: RFI = DMI − predicted DMI where predicted_s DMI = [(0.372× ECM)+(0.0968×BW^0.75)]×(1−e^{−0.192×(DIM/7+3.67)}). Cows in the HRFI_NorFor group showed higher daily CH₄ production, CH₄/ECM and CH₄ yield (g/kg DMI) than IRFI_NorFor and LRFI_NorFor cows. Cows characterized by high efficiency (LRFI_NorFor) according to the NorFor system had lower body weight. Dry matter intake and apparent dry matter digestibility were not affected by efficiency group but milk yield was lower in the low efficiency, HRFI_NorFor, group. Cows characterized by high efficiency according to the NRC system (LRFI_NRC) had lower dry matter intake while yield of CH₄ was higher. Daily CH₄ production and CH₄ g/kg ECM did not differ between RFI_NRC groups. Dairy cows characterized by high efficiency (both LRFI_NorFor and LRFI_NRC cows) over a complete lactation mobilized more of their body reserves in early lactation as well as during the complete lactation. The results also indicated great phenotypic variation in RFI between different stages the lactation.

Keywords

Lactation; Milk; Insulin; Glucose; Blood plasma; Body weight; Computer software; Fatty acids

Published in

PLoS ONE
2022, volume: 17, number: 8, article number: e0273420

SLU Authors

• Karlsson, Johanna

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Växa Sverige

• Danielsson, Rebecca

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Holtenius, Kjell

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273420

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/118638