Differences in energy balance and energy efficiency between an old endangered and a modern Norwegian dairy cattle breed in a traditional indoor feeding system

• Published in: Acta agriculturae Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 23 - 32
• Main Authors: Sæther, N., Havrevoll, Ø., Thuen, E., Vangen, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-03-2010; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: breed; dairy cattle; Energy balance; energy efficiency
• ISSN: 0906-4702; 1651-1972
• DOI: 10.1080/09064702.2010.481312

The aim was to test possible differences in energy balance and energy efficiency between two dairy cattle breeds with different selection histories. The data were derived using the two Norwegian breeds Black Sided Trønder and Nordland Cattle (STN; N=9) and Norwegian Red (NRF; N=10), in the same herd through three consecutive indoor feeding seasons. STN milked 52% of energy corrected milk, weighed 78% of live weight and ate 65% of MJ metabolisable energy per day compared to NRF. There were no breed differences in energy balance or partial energy efficiency for lactation. NRF had higher gross energy efficiency (GEE) than STN. It was found that interaction between breed and lactation month for GEE indicating different curves for this trait during the lactation period.