Association of total-mixed-ration chemical composition with milk, fat, and protein yield lactation curves at the individual level
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the chemical composition of a total mixed ration (TMR) tested quarterly from March 2006 through December 2008 for milk, fat, and protein yield curves for 27 herds in Ragusa, Sicily.
How do dairy cows chew?—Particle size analysis of selected feeds with different particle length distributions and of respective ingested bolus particles
The objective of our study was to measure lengths and DM proportions of selected feed and their respective bolus particles with lengths of at least 5 mm. Particles with these lengths were considered to be potentially retained in the rumen. The data were used to estimate particle size reduction during ingestive mastication and to examine the relationship between feed and bolus particle distribution to investigate the influence of initial feed particle size on bolus particle size.
