Monitoring Feeding Adequacy in Dairy Cows Using Milk Urea and Milk Protein Contents under Farm Condition

Abstract

The experiment was conducted on 264 crossbred Karan-Fries (Holstein Friesian×Tharparkar) cows, over one year to explore the possibility of using milk urea (MU) concentration and milk protein content to monitor feeding adequacy under farm condition and to investigate the effects of different animal factors and season on MU concentration. Individual noon (1200 to 1300 h) milk samples were collected once in every month and analysed for urea and protein contents. Representative feed samples were also collected on the same day of milk collection and were analysed for CP content. A significant positive association (p<0.01) between MU concentration and milk yield was observed. MU concentrations (mg/dl) were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher and lower in first lactation (44.8±0.7) and in early lactation stage (40.7±0.5), respectively. Average MU values were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher in winter (50.7±0.3) and lower in summer (32.9±0.6). During the investigation, of the total MU observations, 50.3% were within the range of 30 to 50 mg/dl, 21.4% were <30 mg/dl and only 7.5% were >60 mg/dl. MU concentration was found to be associated significantly (p<0.05) with CP content of forages rather than concentrate. A close positive association (p<0.01) between MU level and daily milk protein (DMP) yield was observed during the investigation. The regression equation, DMP yield (g) = -24.6+33.5 daily milk yield (kg) +0.9 MU (mg/dl) was developed to establish the reference level of DMP yield. The result indicates that the effect of parity and stage of lactation may be ignored while interpreting MU values. However, reference MU values may be standardised separately for high milk yielders as level of milk yield contributes significantly to the variation of MU. The study revealed that the MU values together with DMP yield and milk protein content could be used as a potential non-invasive pointer to monitor feeding adequacy in dairy cows under farm conditions.

Effect of Season and Parity on Blood Plasma Metabolites, Milk Yield and Milk Components and Somatic Cell Count in Newly Parturition Egyptian Buffalo Females

“…Khan et al (2011) reported an increasein BUN during the post-partum period in winter season calves reflecting better availability of feeds and fodders supplying sufficient nutrients for optimum performance.In line, the level of BUN in the study of Omran et al, (2011) on Egyptian buffalo was also significantly lowered in response to heat stress. Similar significant seasonal variations were obtained in BUN concentration in dairy cows by Dhali et al (2006). Higher BUN in winter calves during the post-partum period indicates a deficiency in energy as sufficient quantity of leguminous fodder is supplied during this period.…”

“…During transition period, buffaloes are known to be highly prone to nutrient drainage (Mandali et al, 2002).Urea concentration is an indicator of energy protein balance (Campanile et al, 1998;Dhali et al, 2006) and is typically increased in animal's deficient in energy. In the current study (Table 3).…”

The relationship between claw diseases of dairy cows and the protein and urea content of the milk

“…The same pattern was observed in out work in both healthy and lame cows (with lower values in lame cows). Milk urea concentration is mostly determined by dietary protein and energy balance and its values significantly increase during late lactation stages (Dhali et al, 2006). In our study milk urea concentration was increasing during the advance of the lactation stages, with significantly lower values in lame cows.…”

Improving Performance of Heifer Buffalos Fed with Urea-treated Rice Straw Ensiled with Cassava Pulp Supplemented with Concentrates

“…Most of the NH3-N in urea-treated crop residues is held as water-soluble that released rapidly in rumen and results in high NH3 production in rumen and ultimately increases blood urea. The increased ruminal NH3 and blood urea would decrease dry matter intake (DMI) and reduce conception rate in buffaloes, similar to those observed in dairy cattle (Dhali et al, 2006). Using diffrent sources of fermentable carbohydrates have been reported to retain this escaped N in ureatreated wheat straw (Khan et al, 2004 andKhan et al, 2005).…”