Supplementing glycerol to transition dairy cows to improve metabolic status and productivity

补充甘油过渡奶牛以改善代谢状态和生产力

• 批准号: 555849-2020
• 负责人: DeVries, Trevor
• 金额: $ 1.95万
• 依托单位: University of Guelph
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=706034
• 关键词: Supplementing; glycerol; transition; dairy; cows

Dairy cows undergoing the transition from the dry period to lactation are at risk for developing post-partum diseases such as ketosis, which can further increase their risk of developing other health and reproductive disorders. Subclinical ketosis (SCK) impacts many dairy cows, with an estimated incidence of >40% in Canadian dairy herds. SCK is resultant of excessive negative energy balance in early lactation. Recent research data from Ontario, Canada showed that cows milked in robotic milking systems are at even greater risk of experiencing SCK. Greater supplementation of traditional robot concentrates, which are typically high in starch, in early lactation is problematic due to the increased risk of other health challenges (ruminal acidosis). Thus, providing an alternative energy source, with high glucogenic potential, may be more desirable during the early post-partum period. An example of such a feed supplement with high glucogenic potential is glycerol. Glycerol is readily available, at a reasonable cost, due to being a by-product of the biodiesel industry, which is being produced in growing amounts worldwide. Thus, the objective of this research is to determine if pre- and post-calving glycerol supplementation can improve metabolic health, rumen stability, and productivity of dairy cows milked in robotic systems. In two studies, we will examine the expected benefits of feeding glycerol to transition dairy cows. We predict that glycerol supplementation will enhance dry matter intake, rumen health, and the metabolic status of dairy cows, as well as their subsequent milk production and efficiency. With these results, we expected to develop best management practices for feeding transition dairy cows that not only result in improved health and welfare, but also production efficiency. This, in turn, will help dairy producers be more profitable, while also increasing consumer confidence in this agricultural sector.

从干奶期过渡到哺乳期的奶牛有患产后疾病的风险，如酮病，这可能会进一步增加它们患上其他健康和生殖障碍的风险。亚临床酮病(SCK)影响许多奶牛，在加拿大奶牛群中的发病率估计为40%。SCK是哺乳期早期能量过度负平衡的结果。加拿大安大略省最近的研究数据显示，用机器人挤奶系统挤奶的奶牛患SCK的风险更大。在哺乳早期大量补充传统的机器人浓缩物是有问题的，因为增加了其他健康挑战(瘤胃酸中毒)的风险。因此，在产后早期提供一种具有高生糖潜力的替代能源可能更可取。具有高生糖潜力的这种饲料补充剂的一个例子是甘油。甘油很容易以合理的价格获得，因为它是生物柴油行业的副产品，全球生物柴油的产量正在不断增加。因此，这项研究的目的是确定在机器人系统中挤奶的奶牛在产奶前后补充甘油是否可以改善代谢健康、瘤胃稳定性和生产力。在两项研究中，我们将研究饲喂甘油对过渡奶牛的预期好处。我们预测，补充甘油将提高奶牛的干物质摄入量、瘤胃健康和代谢状态，以及它们随后的产奶量和效率。根据这些结果，我们希望开发出饲养过渡奶牛的最佳管理实践，不仅提高健康和福利，而且提高生产效率。这反过来将帮助乳制品生产商更有利可图，同时也增加了消费者对这一农业部门的信心。