Efficiency of Nutrient Utilization for Milk Production: Nutritional and Physiological Aspects

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Abstract
The efficiency of nutrient utilization for milk production is determined by the interaction of a host of factors of which only a few have been discussed here. Generally speaking, efficiency of production will increase with increasing DE intake up to the point where body fat is deposited at a significant rate. DE intake can be increased by adding grain to an otherwise all-forage ration—up to a point. This is the point at which fill no longer limits intake, and physiological energy-regulating mechanisms become operative; this seems to occur at a forage: grain ratio of approximately 40:60, but more precise physical and biochemical characterization is essential. Some additional increase in gross energetic efficiency, due to a changing pattern of metabolites in the DE, might be expected as the forage: grain ratio is further altered to about 30:70. Other factors which alter the pattern of absorbed metabolites, such as replacing hay with silage, may also affect efficiency.