Effect of nutritional management during the first 42 days post calving on ‘lactational’ performance, uterine health, and subsequent reproductive performance post partum (D-50-10)
Project title: Effect of nutritional management during the first 42 days post calving on ‘lactational’ performance, uterine health, and subsequent reproductive performance post partum
Project leader and team: Ryan Law and Conrad Ferris
Duration: 12 months commencing September 2009
Organisations involved: AFBI
Background to proposal:
Reproductive failure is the predominant reason for culling high yielding dairy cows, and at an estimated annual cost of £18,000 per 100 cow herd, can severely reduce profitability. Although many factors have contributed to the decline in dairy cow fertility, there is a strong relationship between the increased genetic capacity for milk production and reduced reproductive performance.
The effect of protein levels in dairy cow diets on body reserves throughout lactation - D-31-06
Duration 2 years commencing September 2005
Team and Leader Desmond Patterson & Fiona Young
Organisations Involved ARINI & DARDNI
Background and Summary
Optimisation of supplementation of forage with concentrates is essential to improve efficiency and economic sustainability of dairy cow production systems, as well as reducing the environmental impact of intensive dairy farming in Northern Ireland.
Alternative forages for dairy cattle - D-20-04
Duration 12 months from January 2004
Team and Leader D.C. Patterson
Organisations Involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland
Background and Summary
There is currently an increasing interest in the production of alternative forage crops for feeding to high yielding dairy cows. This reflects both the potentially lower production costs per unit of energy associated with some alternative forage crops and the ability of some of these crops to increase total dry matter intake and improve milk yield. High starch forage maize is becoming established as a forage to increase forage intake, milk yield and the protein contant of milk.
Development of Improved Methods for Rationing Dairy Cattle - D-02-97
Duration
Team and Leader R Agnew
Organisations Involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland, Scottish Agricultural Colleges and ADAS
Background and Summary
The present systems of rationing dairy cattle (metabolisable energy and metabolisable protein systems) were put in place some time ago. These systems have major limitations, as they do not accurately predict how the dairy cow reacts to alteration in feed supply (energy or protein) and quality.
Read more: Development of Improved Methods for Rationing Dairy Cattle - D-02-97
Producing a Booklet on `Improving Milk Composition in the Dairy Herd' - D-01-97
Duration
Team and Leader S Mayne
Organisations involved Agricultural Research Institute of Northern Ireland - S Mayne and T Keady
Background and Summary
The survey of Northern Ireland dairy farmers on research priorities highlighted a need for the industry to have more information on how to improve milk composition. While new innovative research programmes can be developed to further progress this area the first need was for farmers to be made fully aware of the considerable amount of information which already existed from previous research.
Read more: Producing a Booklet on `Improving Milk Composition in the Dairy Herd' - D-01-97