On-farm examination of sainfoin supplementation effects in dairy cows in a roughage-based feeding system: Indicators of protein utilisation

A case study was conducted with the objective to determine effects of tanniferous legume sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on protein utilisation dairy cows, which were exposed excessive dietary crude during autumn pasture grazing in a zero-concentrate feeding system. The under practical conditions, deliberately accepting certain lack controllable variables. In order assess system applicable practice, relatively small amounts offered, and graded supply levels compared by varying duration offer instead concentration. Within one herd 60 Swiss Fleckvieh 30 individuals chosen randomly allocated three groups balanced for milk yield, urea concentration, days parity. Over period 5 weeks, 2 kg per cow day pellets provided either intermittently, × (SST) weeks 3 experiment or continuously over 35 (SLT). control group (CON) received ryegrass weeks. entire grazed protein-rich natural sward kept overnight an open-space barn receiving fresh grass hay ad libitum. Experimental offered individually twice buckets. Feed, milk, faeces urine samples collected 0 (baseline), 5. Milk analysed fat, urea, purine derivatives, creatinine nitrogen, protein, fibre particle fractions. During sampling chewing activity recorded sensor halters. Treatment SST increased rumination time first half day, only treatment effect intake behaviour. fat yields greater CON, but no concentration yield found. proportion fractions smaller both treatments CON. urine, ratio derivatives tended be higher than total urinary nitrogen excretion lower, indicating slightly better efficiency SST. summary, revealed positive metabolism when applied short-term two short periods, whereas long-term application had effect.