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The influence of season and management system on intake and productivity of confined dairy cows in a Mediterranean climate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. B. Moran
J. B. Moran
Affiliation:
Kyabram Research Institute, Kyabram, Victoria 3620, Australia
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Extract

The influence of season and management system on the productivity of Friesian cows in a Mediterranean climate was assessed. Intakes of food and water and milk yields were measured in 154 cows over 2·5 years while intensively managed in yards giving access to shelter (free stalls) or that were fully exposed to solar radiation (open lots). Food quality was also monitored to permit estimates of the efficiency of utilization of metabolizable energy for milk production over fortnightly periods.

The highest milk yields and energetic efficiencies were recorded during spring. Energy intakes were highest but energetic efficiencies were lowest during winter. Cows consumed the least food during summer and autumn and drank the most water during summer. The only significant effect of management system was for water intake, which was higher in the open lots than in the free stalls. There was evidence of heat stress in summer and cold stress in winter, but there appeared to be little benefit with milk yields through the provision of shelter.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 49 , Issue 3 , December 1989 , pp. 339 - 344
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1989

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