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Genetic and phenotypic determinants of nutrient demand and feeding behaviour in dairy cows

Reference	S02630
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor John Oldham
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Professor Ilias Kyriazakis, Professor Geoff Simm
Institution	SRUC
Department	Department of Genetics and Behavioural S
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	309,765
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/03/1995
End date	01/03/1999
Duration	48 months

Abstract

Dairy cows of widely differing genetic merit for milk production will be used to assess their strategic and tactical feeding behaviours when offered choices between feeds of different nutritional value. By using preference (diet selection) methodology the needs of the cow for metabolisable protein (MP): metabolisable energy (ME) will be estimated according to their genotype, stage of lactation and body condition in the dry period (ie genotype and phenotype of the cow). Feeds offered will be of high or lower nutrient density to explore the cow's adaptive strategy to undernutrition; other feed choices will explore the cow's strategy for dealing with surplus rumen degradable protein (imbalanced nutrition). The tactical adjustment in feeding behaviour to the availability of N and carbohydrate substrates which are fermented in the rumen at asynchronous rates will be studied in short-term studies. The results of the work will be integrated into models for prediction of feed intake, diet selection and feeding behaviour.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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