Abstract
Dynamic feeding is an innovative application for concentrate feeding of dairy cows. Daily
individual settings are derived from the actual individual milk yield response to concentrate
intake. This response is estimated using an adaptive dynamic linear model. Optimal daily
individual settings for concentrate supply are directed to achieve the maximum gross margin milk returns minus concentrate costs. This response curve plays a key role in the application. The response curve is derived from a mechanistic model for milk production and can also be established empirically from daily milk yield development during early lactation when concentrate supply increase is linear. A test application for dynamic feeding ran for several months in 2008 and results from 145 cows at one farm on 17 December 2008 have been used to demonstrate the variation in individual response. The gross margin, milk returns minus concentrate costs, varied from 2.52 to 26.32 €/day. The estimated response parameters provide insight in variation between individuals concerning the effects of concentrate and base ration intake on daily milk yield. Economical and nutritional aspects can be evaluated for each individual. Individual dynamic feeding towards an economic optimum indicates that excessive changes in individual bodyweighti can be prevented.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Precision livestock farming 2009, 6-8- July 2009, Wageningen, The Netherlands |
| Editors | C. Lokhorst, P.W.G. Groot Koerkamp |
| Place of Publication | Wageningen |
| Publisher | Wageningen Academic Publishers |
| Pages | 25-32 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789086861125 |
| Publication status | Published - 2009 |
| Event | Joint International Agricultural Conference, Wageningen, The Netherlands - Duration: 6 Jul 2009 → 8 Jul 2009 |
Conference
| Conference | Joint International Agricultural Conference, Wageningen, The Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Period | 6/07/09 → 8/07/09 |