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Effect of varying dietary energy levels during the last trimester of pregnancy on subsequent first lactation performance in Sahiwal heifers

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An Erratum to this article was published on 17 December 2013

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine optimum dietary energy level during the last trimester of pregnancy for Sahiwal heifers in subtropical Pakistan. Sixteen Sahiwal heifers, 5–6 months pregnant, were assigned to four dietary treatments with four heifers on each treatment. Isonitrogenous (CP = 14.1%) diets having varying energy, namely, ME 88%, ME 100% (Control), ME 112% and ME 124% of NRC recommended level for pregnant heifers, were fed until calving. All were fed a similar diet after calving. Precalving weight gain was highest (P < 0.05) in heifers fed ME 112 and 124% (486 ± 13 and 497 ± 5 g/day, respectively) followed by ME 100% (444 ± 7 g/day), and the lowest weight gain was recorded for ME 88% (397 ± 8 g/day). A similar trend was observed for feed efficiency. Body condition score at calving in groups ME 124% and ME 112% was higher than ME 88% and ME 100%. Nutrient digestibility, birth weight of calves and milk composition except fat content were not influenced by energy levels. The highest daily milk yield was observed in heifers fed ME 100% followed by ME 112, 124, and 88%. We conclude that the NRC recommendation is applicable to the subtropical region.

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Abbreviations

ADL:

Acid detergent lignin

ADF:

Acid detergent fiber

BCS:

Body condition score

CP:

Crude protein

DM:

Dry matter

FCM:

Fat corrected milk

ME:

Metabolizable energy

N:

Nitrogen

NDF:

Neutral detergent fiber

NRC:

Nutrient requirements of cattle

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of Mr. Muhammad Ameen, Production Manager Supertech Feeds Multan, Mr. Akhtar Hussain, Incharge Jadeed Farms Khanewal and Mr. Muhammad Anjum, Production Manager Multan Feeds for preparation of experimental diets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Livestock Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

    Muhammad Fiaz, Muhammad Abdullah & Khalid Javed

  2. Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

    Masroor Ellahi Babar

  3. Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

    Muhammad Nasir, Talat Naseer Pasha & Makhdoom Abdul Jabbar

Authors
  1. Muhammad Fiaz
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  2. Muhammad Abdullah
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  3. Muhammad Nasir
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  4. Khalid Javed
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  5. Masroor Ellahi Babar
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  6. Talat Naseer Pasha
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  7. Makhdoom Abdul Jabbar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muhammad Nasir.

Additional information

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-013-0516-y.

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Fiaz, M., Abdullah, M., Nasir, M. et al. Effect of varying dietary energy levels during the last trimester of pregnancy on subsequent first lactation performance in Sahiwal heifers. Trop Anim Health Prod 44, 975–981 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9998-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9998-7

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