Abstract
Three common methods of estimating live weight change in ruminants and relationships between ruminal contents and live weights of dairy cattle were studied, using 13 lactating Holstein heifers, two with rumen fistulas. Live weights were obtained immediately after each milking for 105 consecutive days in one trial and 61 days in another. Ruminal contents from fistulated heifers were removed, weighed, sampled, and replaced periodically. Body weight changes estimated from single weighings after 14 hr without feed or water at the beginning and end of a period were shown to be more accurate than changes estimated either from means of three live weights taken at the beginning and end of a period, or from a regression of daily live weights on time. It was shown that estimation of body weight change from shrunk live weights could greatly reduce variations in ruminal fill, one of the largest sources of error in dairy cattle feeding experiments.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
