Browsing by Subject "lypsykäynnit"

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of starch content of partial mixed ration (PMR) on locomotion activity and milk yield in automatic milking system. The study was a part of Työtehoseura´s and ProAgria´s project “Automaattilypsynavetan toiminnallisuus”. The study was conducted at the research farm of the University of Helsinki. The experimental animals were thirty-nine primi- and multiparous cows, on average 104 days in milk at the beginning of the experiment. Cows were milked with automatic milking system which had a free cow traffic. Cows got concentrate from the milking robot 4, 6 or 8 kg according their milk yield. The experiment lasted six weeks and consisted of three two weeks’ periods. The experimental diets were partial mixed ration rich in starch (T) on periods 1 and 3 and partial mixed ration rich in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (K) on period 2. The change in starch content was made by replacing half of the cereals with concentrate rich NDF. The fermentation quality and digestibility of silage were good. The starch content of partial mixed rations was 166 (T), 87 (K) and 177 (T) g/kg DM. Dry matter intake and number of eating bouts were not affected by the starch concentration of partial mixed ration. There was curvilinear difference in NDF and starch intake as planned in the study design. The amount of milking visits and refusals decreased linearly during the experiment. The amount of fetched cows decreased slightly. There were a few less fetched cows with the PMR rich in NDF although the curvilinear effect was not significant. Milk yield decreased linearly during the experiment. The protein content of milk decreased slightly with PMR rich in NDF. The fat content of milk increased linearly during the experiment. There was no significant difference in energy corrected milk yield. On herd level there were no difference in locomotion activity and fetchings between partial mixed ration rich in starch or NDF. In individual level the PMR rich in NDF decreased fetching of two primiparous cows. The experimental partial mixed ration rich in starch did not decrease milking visits. In addition, partial mixed ration rich in starch had no effect on dry matter intake, eating visits or milk yield compared with partial mixed ration rich in NDF.