A simple model of lactation curves for milk yield, food requirement and body weight

P. D. P. Wood

doi:10.1017/S0003356100023059

Abstract

Simple algebraic models of milk yield, live-weight change and food requirement are developed for use in a programmable desk calculator. The unit of time used is a week and of energy a megajoule. An algebraic equation for milk production is used to define potential energy output. An expression using live-weight gain describes the demand for energy for the recovery of weight lost and the requirements of pregnancy. The use of appropriate conversion factors enables the necessary dietary input to be calculated. The model also takes account of restricted feeding by allocating dietary energy to milk production and live-weight gain in proportion to their potential demand. Ten decisions relating to milk yield, live-weight loss and live-weight gain are required by the model.

References

REFERENCES

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. 1975. Energy Allowances andFeeding Systemsfor Ruminants. Tech. Bull. No. 33. Her Majesty's Stationery Office. London.Google Scholar

White, D. H. 1976. A simulation model of lactating ewes. SIMSIG-76. Simulation Conference, Monash University, Melbourne.Google Scholar

Wood, P. D. P. 1967. Algebraic model of the lactation curve in cattle. Nature, Lond. 216: 164–165.CrossRef Google Scholar

Wood, P. D. P. 1969. Factors affecting the shape of the lactation curve in cattle. Anim. Prod. 11: 307–316.Google Scholar

Crossref Citations

This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by Crossref.

Wood, P. D. P. King, J. O. L. and Youdan, P. G. 1980. Relationships between size, live-weight change and milk production characters in early lactation in dairy cattle. Animal Science, Vol. 31, Issue. 2, p. 143.

Wood, P. D. P. 1981. 3.4 Lactation Curves. BSAP Occasional Publication, Vol. 5, Issue. , p. 111.

Bywater, A.C. 1981. Development of Integrated Management Information System for Dairy Producers. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 64, Issue. 10, p. 2113.

Dhanoa, M. S. and Du, Y. L. P. Le 1982. A partial adjustment model to describe the lactation curve of a dairy cow. Animal Science, Vol. 34, Issue. 3, p. 243.

Neilson, D. R. Whittemore, C. T. Lewis, M. Alliston, J. C. Roberts, D. J. Hodgson-Jones, L. S. Mills, J. Parkinson, H. and Prescott, J. H. D. 1983. Production characteristics of high-yielding dairy cows. Animal Science, Vol. 36, Issue. 3, p. 321.

Broadbent, P. J. Topps, J. H. Clark, J. J. and Bruce, J. M. 1984. Evaluation of a model of the energy system of lactating and pregnant cows. Animal Science, Vol. 38, Issue. 3, p. 363.

Broster, William H. and Broster, Valerie J. 1984. Reviews of the progress of Dairy Science: Long term effects of plane of nutrition on the performance of the dairy cow. Journal of Dairy Research, Vol. 51, Issue. 1, p. 149.

Goodall, E. A. and McMurray, C. H. 1984. An integration of mathematical models for feeding and lactation with reproductive performance of the dairy cow. Animal Science, Vol. 38, Issue. 3, p. 341.

Bruce, J. M. Broadbent, P. J. and Topps, J. H. 1984. A model of the energy system of lactating and pregnant cows. Animal Science, Vol. 38, Issue. 3, p. 351.

OLDHAM, J.D. 1988. Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition–1988. p. 147.

HOLMES, W. and GOSS, S. 1988. Nutrition and Lactation in the Dairy Cow. p. 395.

Oldham, J.D. and Emmans, G.C. 1989. Prediction of Responses to Required Nutrients in Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 72, Issue. 12, p. 3212.

Johnson, C. Lewis and Tran, C. Lang 1990. Rationale of feeding systems for lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Research, Vol. 57, Issue. 2, p. 151.

Beever, D.E. Rook, A.J. France, J. Dhanoa, M.S. and Gill, M. 1991. A review of empirical and mechanistic models of lactational performance by the dairy cow. Livestock Production Science, Vol. 29, Issue. 2-3, p. 115.

Devir, S. Zur, B. Maltz, E. Genizi, A. and Antler, A. 1995. A model for the prediction of dairy cow body weight based on a physiological timescale. The Journal of Agricultural Science, Vol. 125, Issue. 3, p. 415.

Friggens, N. Emmans, G.C. Robertson, S. Chamberlain, D.G. Whittemore, C.T. and Oldham, J.D. 1995. The Lactational Responses of Dairy Cows to Amount of Feed and to the Source of Carbohydrate Energy. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 78, Issue. 8, p. 1734.

Cappio-Borlino, A. Macciotta, N.P.P. and Pulina, G. 1997. The shape of sarda ewe lactation curve analysed by a compartimental model. Livestock Production Science, Vol. 51, Issue. 1-3, p. 89.

Ossa, Gustavo Torrengroza, Lino and Alvarado, Leonardo 1997. Determinación de la curva de lactancia en vacas mestizas de un hato de doble propósito en la Región Caribe de Colombia. Ciencia & Tecnología Agropecuaria, Vol. 2, Issue. 1, p. 54.

Jonker, J.S. Kohn, R.A. and Erdman, R.A. 1998. Using Milk Urea Nitrogen to Predict Nitrogen Excretion and Utilization Efficiency in Lactating Dairy Cows. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 81, Issue. 10, p. 2681.

Jonker, J.S. Kohn, R.A. and Erdman, R.A. 1999. Milk Urea Nitrogen Target Concentrations for Lactating Dairy Cows Fed According to National Research Council Recommendations. Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 82, Issue. 6, p. 1261.

Download full list

Article contents

A simple model of lactation curves for milk yield, food requirement and body weight

Abstract

Access options

References

REFERENCES

This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by Crossref.

Article contents

A simple model of lactation curves for milk yield, food requirement and body weight

Abstract

Access options

References

REFERENCES

Save article to Kindle

Save article to Dropbox

Save article to Google Drive

Reply to: Submit a response

Your details

You have entered the maximum number of contributors

Conflicting interests