Abstract
This editorial seeks to critically discuss feed intake regulation cascade probably driven by feeding frequency (FF) and feeding sequence (FS) in dairy ruminants. The article also introduces research prospects for producing lucid and definitive conclusions to help develop on-farm applicable management strategies. A great deal of attention has been paid to FF in dairy ruminants [1-6]. A multitude of factors including dietary forage to concentrate ratio, total mixed ration vs. component feeding, cereal grain type, processing method, cow productivity, ambient temperature, and dietary use of bST and their interactions mediate cow response to FF. Once can the individual and interactive effects outlined above be determined, dairy ruminant response to FF may be quantified.
Highlights
dry matter intake (DMI) was increased by four times compared to twice delivery of a cornbased total mixed ration, likely due to greater total tract DM digestibility [10]
Decreased circadian variations of eating may reduce circadian fluctuations of rumen pH [3,5], which may in turn reduce the risk of subacute rumen acidosis, and improve fiber digestibility and rumen health [13,14]
Before such a theoretical cascade turns into an on-farm reality, the more frequent feeding must prevent or minimize the time during which the rumen pH drops to the point that is detrimental to microbial metabolism
Summary
Decreased circadian variations of eating may reduce circadian fluctuations of rumen pH [3,5], which may in turn reduce the risk of subacute rumen acidosis, and improve fiber digestibility and rumen health [13,14]. No effects of feeding dietary concentrate either 2 or 12 times daily on dry matter intake (DMI) in early lactation cows was observed [7]. Delivery of either a cubed or uncubed ration 2 or 4 time daily did not affect DMI in midlactation cows [8].
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