Comparative digestibility of low‐quality grass hay by two breeds of cattle differing in mature live weight

Abstract

The digestive capacity of the Portuguese native breed of Barrosão cattle and the Holstein-Friesian breed was measured when fed meadow hay (72-74 g CP and 641-671 g NDF/kg dry matter), offered either alone or supplemented with soya bean meal (150 g/kg dry matter), at maintenance level. Four mature cows of each breed were used. Average initial live weight (LW) was 457 and 635 kg for the Barrosão and the Holstein-Friesian cows respectively. The organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the meadow hay was higher in Holstein-Friesian than in Barrosão cows (p < 0.08) whether supplemented or not. The neutral detergent fibre digestibility of the hay was also higher in Holstein-Frisian when the hay was fed alone (p < 0.08). The soya bean meal supplementation increased the OMD and the NDFD digestibility of the total diet (p < 0.05), but not the OMD digestibility of the hay (p > 0.05). The results obtained in this study suggest a higher ability to digest fibre in the large dairy breed than in the small native breed. This suggestion is also supported by previous findings with sheep breeds largely differing in mature live weight.

Pyrosequencing reveals diverse fecal microbiota in Simmental calves during early development

“…In contrast to other studies that almost exclusively examined Holstein-Friesian calves, in this study Simmental calves were used, as this is the predominant dairy breed in the Alpine region (Klein-Jöbstl et al, 2014 ) and almost nothing is known about the microbiota of this breed. Studies examining different breeds in regard to feed and nutrient intake as well as digestibility of feed recognized breed differences (Jenkins and Ferrell, 2007 ; Fry et al, 2013 ; Gruber et al, 2014 ; Lourenço et al, 2014 ). Furthermore, not only the breed but also management and particularly feeding in our study differed from other studies (Uyeno et al, 2010 ; Edrington et al, 2012 ; Oikonomou et al, 2013 ).…”

Nutritional Quality of Plant Species in Pyrenean Hay Meadows of High Diversity

“…This is particularly important in mountain conditions, where a delayed first cutting is commonly adopted by all farmers [9]. Furthermore, fibrous feeds produced under these conditions are not only profitable for local breeds of cattle but also have potential in genetically improved breeds [27].…”

Effects of animal type (wild vs. domestic) and diet alfalfa level on intake and digestibility of European adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

“…Lourenço et al. () observed a lower TTAD in a Portuguese native cattle breed (Barrosã) than in Holstein‐Frisian cattle. Comparing a Portuguese native sheep breed (Churra da Terra Quente) with the Ile‐France breed, Lourenço, Cone, Fontes, and Dias‐da‐Silva () observed a higher intake per kg BW and lower a TTAD in adult and in growing ewes (Lourenço, Dias‐da‐Silva, Fonseca, & Azevedo, ) of the native breed and demonstrated that this breed has an inherit higher outflow rate.…”