Nutritional requirements of dairy cattle

L.R. Wallace

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1961, 21: 64-78

Using multiple regression methods, the data were analysed to determine how the intake of the animals was related to their productions, liveweights and weight gains. Highly significant relationships were demonstrated. Estimates of the amounts of digestible organic matter eaten by these animals for purposes of maintenance, milk production and liveweight increase were compared with and found to be higher than the allowances provided by the conventional feeding standards, but lower than those previously found by the writer for free-grazing animals. The general significance of the findings is discussed, and it is suggested that the results provide an explanation for the substantial discrepancies which have usually been found between herbage intake estimates based on clipping techniques and those calculated from animal liveweight and production data by the reverse use of the conventional feeding standards.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;