Does Australian oaten hay improve Chinese dairy cow performance?

Abstract

With the steep growth of the global population, especially in developing countries, the pressure on the agricultural sector has been increasing. Since the Chinese dairy industry is undergoing rapid development, the demand for adequate high-quality forage is proportionately increasing. Australian oaten hay is regularly exported to China with distinct nutritional benefits, but studies concerning details of the nutritional composition and its influence on the performance of Chinese dairy cows are limited. The controversy related to the harvesting time of oaten hay is another less explored area but critically important factor affecting the nutritional value of forage. This research used a comparative research method to analyze the nutritional composition difference between Australian oaten hay and Chinese oaten hay and the nutrient and yield difference during different harvesting times. Three different forage replacement experiments were reviewed, which were conducted on dry and mid-lactating Chinese Holstein cows and weaned Chinese Holstein calves separately. The corresponding impacts of feeding Australian oaten hay on their production performances were investigated by regression analysis methods. The results of this project can provide a comprehensive understanding of nutritional composition and a systematic overview of the impact of Australian oaten hay on the production performance of Chinese dairy Holstein cows.