Effect of THI, NDF and rumination in milk production in holstein cows

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the THI, NDF and rumination rate (RR) on milk production in Holstein cows in a dairy farm located in Bajío de San José, Jalisco

Design/methodology/approach: The temperature-humidity index (THI) is an indicator of the effect of the environmental climate can have on milk production, likewise nutritional content of forage is affected by weather conditions, as the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) is related with rumination activity of cows, increasing THI has shown a direct effect on milk production in cows. HealthyCow 24 ® CSR was used (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel), to monitor rumination, from a total record of 284 cows with 2, 3, and 4 lactacion through august to december 2020 period, analysing NDF content from total mixed ration and monitoring THI.

Results: The results showed there was no effect of THI on milk production (p>0.05), despite having reached 76 THI score, instead NDF (p<0.05) and RR (p<0.001) affected milk production, it was not found effect of THI on RR (p>0.05), and NDF had trend (p<0.1).

Limitations on study/implications: There were no limitations for this report.

Findings/conclusions: According to the results obtained, THI threshold should be reconsidered according to the resistance of productively active cattle on dairy farms.