Browsing by Author "Stallings, Charles C."

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    Agronomy Handbook
    Brann, Daniel Edward; Abaye, Azenegashe Ozzie; Peterson, Paul R.; Chalmers, David R.; Whitt, David L.; Chappell, Glenn F.; Herbert, D. Ames Jr.; McNeill, Sam; Baker, James C.; Donohue, Stephen J.; Alley, Marcus M.; Evanylo, Gregory K.; Mullins, Gregory L.; Hagood, Edward Scott; Stallings, Charles C.; Umberger, Steven H.; Swann, Charles W.; Reed, David T.; Holshouser, David L. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Provides readers with a source of agronomic information such as field crops, turfgrasses, variety selection, seed science, soil management, nutrient management and soil suitability for urban purposes that does not change frequently - pesticide and varietal information changes frequently and is therefor not included.
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    Alterations in Mammary Gland Synthesis and Secretion of Fatty Acids in Response to Trans Isomers of Octadecenoic Acid or Conjugated Linoleic Acid Isomers
    Loor, Juan Jose (Virginia Tech, 2001-04-13)
    Experiments were conducted to investigate: 1) production of trans-18:1 and cis/trans-18:2 isomers due to input of forage and corn grain in continuous culture fermenters, 2) concentrations of trans-18:1 and cis/trans-18:2 isomers in blood and milk fat of grazing cows fed a grain supplement containing solvent- or mechanically-extracted soybean meal, 3) plasma and milk fatty acid profiles of lactating cows in response to a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture infused into the rumen, and 4) effects of cis9,trans11-18:2 (9/11CLA) or trans10,cis12-18:2 (10/12CLA) on de novo synthesis and desaturation of milk fatty acids in lactating cows fed unsaturated oils. In the first study, rumen fermenters were fed (50 g DM/d) orchardgrass or red clover with 0, 8, or 16 g/d corn replacing equal portions of forage DM. Outflow of trans11,cis15-18:2 (11/15LA) in effluents was greater when DM input was clover or grass only. With each increment of corn, output of 9/11CLA increased until it was 205% greater compared with forage alone. Trans11-18:1 (TVA), an intermediate in 18:2n6 (LA) and 18:3n3 (LN) hydrogenation, output increased by 28% with corn addition. Outputs of trans10-18:1 and 10/12CLA nearly doubled as corn increment increased. In the second experiment, Holstein cows grazing mixed clover-grass pastures were fed a grain supplement (6.7 kg/d) containing 1.7 kg solvent-extracted soybean meal (SES, 15 mg LA/g of DM), 1.9 kg mechanically-extracted soybean meal (MES, 24 mg LA/g of DM), or 1.9 kg MES plus 30 g of liquid methionine hydroxy analog (MESM). Cows fed MES or MESM had greater concentrations of LA, TVA, 9/11CLA, and 11/15LA in blood compared with cows fed SES. Daily yields of 18:0 (SA), LA, LN, TVA, and 9/11CLA in milk fat also were greater for cows fed MES or MESM compared with SES. In experiment 3, four Holstein cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square to determine plasma and milk fatty acid profiles during infusion of a CLA mixture at 0, 45, 90, or 180 g/d for 48 h into the rumen. Relative to the control, infusion of 180 g CLA/d decreased milk fat percentage and yield. Lower milk fat yield resulted from depressed concentrations of saturated 6:0 to 16:0 medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). Concentrations of TVA, trans10-18:1, and 10/12CLA in blood plasma, and yields in milk fat increased in response to each dose of CLA. Stearic acid yield also increased as dose of CLA increased. Yield of cis9-18:1 (OA) in milk fat, however, was lower at 180 g CLA/d. In experiment 4, four cows were fed high-oleic (HO) or high-linoleic (HL) (2.5% of DM) oil for 11 d prior to abomasal infusion (15 g/d) of 9/11CLA or 10/12CLA for 48 h (2 x 2 factorial). Milk fat percentage and yield decreased 25% due to infusion of 10/12CLA compared with 9/11CLA, regardless of diet. Lower fat yields resulted from lower MCFA concentrations and yields. Regardless of diet, concentration (but not yield) of SA increased 40% when 10/12CLA was infused compared with 9/11CLA. Concentrations and yields of OA, 9/11CLA, and 20:4n6 also were reduced by infusing 10/12CLA compared with 9/11CLA regardless of diet. Thus, in addition to inhibiting de novo fatty acid synthesis, 10/12CLA appeared to inhibit desaturation via delta-6 and delta-9 desaturases. Significant implications from the above studies include: 1) 11/15LA and TVA are the primary intermediates flowing out of the rumen during hydrogenation of pasture lipids, 2) replacing forage DM with starch, OA, and LA increases synthesis of trans10-18:1 and 10/12CLA in the rumen, 3) desaturation of TVA produced in the rumen provides an alternate source for 9/11CLA in milk fat, and 4) 10/12CLA decreases de novo synthesis and desaturation of milk fatty acids.
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    Barley silage harvested at boot and soft dough stages for lactating cows
    Acosta, Yamandu Martin (Virginia Tech, 1989-04-05)
    Barley (Hordeum vulgare, L.) harvested at boot (5/7/88) and soft dough (6/6/88) stages of maturity was ensiled for nutritive comparisons. Boot stage was wilted and soft dough was direct cut at 15 (SD-Lo) and 25 cm (SD-Hi) above ground. Yields (kg DM/ha) were 3690, 8750 and 6287 for boot, SD-Lo and SD-Hi respectively. Digestibilities (%) of DM, CP and ADF were 74.7, 74.5 and 70.8 for boot; 61.9, 50.4 and 44.7 for SD-Lo; and 62.3, 47.2 and 49.7 for SD-Hi, respectively. Calculated TDN was 71.2, 62.0 and 62.8 for boot, SD-Lo and SD-Hi, respectively. Thirty-six lactating Holstein cows were fed boot silage at 75 and 60% of diet DM, SD-Lo fed at 75 and 60 and SD-Hi fed at 75 and 60, respectively. Milk yields (kg/d) were greatest for high concentrate diets and averaged 25.7, 28.3, 24.8, 26.3, 25.7 and 26.9, respectively. There were no differences among diets for DM intake or 4% FCM. Boot silage had a greater In Situ rumen degradability of DM, CP, ADF and NDF (68.6, 89.3, 44.2 and 45.1% respectively) than SD-Lo (57.8, 76.9, 20.9 and 24.2%) and SD-Hi (62.5, 80.0, 22.8 and 26.4%). Predictability of ruminal degradability of complete diets from weighted averages of single ingredients determined separately was low. In Situ incubation of single ingredients resulted in underestimation of DM and overestimation of CP degradability compared with complete diet incubation.
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    The Basics of Forage Testing
    Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Discusses the key concepts of forage and feed testing.
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    Computerized concentrate feeding
    Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 1991)
    Computerized feeders are tools for implementing total feeding systems on dairy farms, but proper management is needed for effective use.
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    Dairy Pipeline. January/February 2010
    Stallings, Charles C.; Petersson-Wolfe, Christina S.; Scott, Michael Chase (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-11-05)
    Discusses ways to increase feed efficiency in dairy cows, using activity measures to predict disease in dairy cows, and mycotoxins.
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    Dairy Pipeline. June 2009
    Stallings, Charles C.; Welsh, John (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-06-05)
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    Dairy Pipeline. May 2011
    Stewart, Brittany Allison; Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-05-01)
    Discusses less expensive by-products available as feed, and energy-producing carbohydrate sources for lactating dairy cows.
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    Dairy Pipeline. November-December 2011
    James, Robert E.; Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-10-24)
    Discusses the essentials of feed program management and feeding in groups to reduce the lead factor
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    Dairy Pipeline. October 2009
    Stallings, Charles C.; James, Robert E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-10-01)
    Discusses using TMR analysis as a check to proper ration supplementation, and proper feeding to prepare dry cows for the next lactation.
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    Dairy Pipeline. October 2010
    Scott, Michael Chase; Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2010-08-29)
    Discusses how crowding cows in barns affects animal health and milk production, and nitrate levels in forages.
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    Dairy Pipeline. September 2011
    Stallings, Charles C.; Winston, David R. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2011-09-01)
    Provides information on the frequency of measuring dry matter and nutrient content of forages and presents lessons learned from the Dairy Challenge
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    Digestion and utilization of nutrients in diets containing feather meal and (or) supplemental fat by lactating dairy cows
    Ellingson, Terry Allen (Virginia Tech, 1993-01-05)
    Two experiments with dairy cows during early lactation were conducted to determine the effects of feeding feather meal and fat. The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine milk production, milk composition, feed intake, and concentrations of AA and long chain fatty acids in blood plasma. Thirty two Holstein cows began a six week trial at the start of the fourth week of lactation. Diets included a control diet (51% forage, 49% concentrate, 16.8% CP, and 19.1% ADF) and diets containing 2.2% feather meal, 3.6% supplemental fat (hydrogenated tallow), or feather meal plus fat. Feather meal and supplemental fat were substituted for soybean meal and corn grain, respectively, in the control diet concentrate. For Experiment 2, four lactating Holstein cows (15, 20, 21, and 65 d postpartum) with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were used in a 4X4 Latin square design (21 d feeding periods) to determine digestibilities of the four diets. The markers used to estimate digesta flow were Co- EDTA and chromic oxide. When cows were fed feather meal, milk fat % was higher, milk protein % was lower, and plasma total essential AA were increased. Dry matter intake, milk production, and plasma long chain fatty acids increased when cows were fed diets containing fat. Differences between concentrations of AA in the tail artery and mammary vein indicated significant uptake by the mammary gland. The mammary gland extracted approximately 36% of the total essential AA in plasma. Intake, duodenal flow, and ruminal and total tract digestibilities of DM, ADF, N, and OM were similar for all diets. No changes were seen in rumen pH, rumen ammonia-N, VFA's, or rumen bacteria AA. Intake and fecal output of total, essential, and non-essential AA were greater when cows were fed diets containing feather meal. However, flow of AA to the duodenum, AA absorbed, and AA digestibilities did not differ. Results suggest that bypass proteins with a complimentary EAA profile must be fed with feather meal to compensate for the low amounts of Lys, Met, and His provided by feather meal.
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    Distiller's Grains for Dairy Cattle and Potential Environmental Impact
    Stallings, Charles C. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Describes how distiller's grain's with solubles (DDGS) are produced, covers their protein, fat or oil and phosphorous quantity and quality, provides recommendations for use as feed for dairy cattle, as well as recommendations to minimize environmental impacts.
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    Effect of varying levels of neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients on dry matter intake of dairy heifers
    Tomlinson, Dana J. (Virginia Tech, 1988-05-12)
    One hundred and eight Holstein dairy heifers were divided into two weight blocks based on beginning body weight (E = < 182 kg, light, > 270 kg, heavy). Heifers within weight blocks were randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Treatments consisted of three levels of NDF (35%, 45%, 55%) at 100% ofNRC TDN recommendation, and three levels of TDN (85%, 100%, 115 of NRC) at 45% NDF for light heifers. For heavy heifers, treatments consisted of three levels of NDF (40%, 50%, 60%) at 100% NRC TDN, and three treatments with similar levels of TDN at 50% NDF. Heifers were fed total mixed rations of corn silage, alfalfa haylage, ground orchardgrass hay, soybean meal, high moisture corn and a mineral mix formulated for 0.68 kg ADG. Mean gains (kg/d) were 1.07 and .96 for the light and heavy blocks, respectively. DMI as a percent of BWT differed across NDF levels for light heifers (3r'= 2.96, 2.56, 2.57, 2.57, and 2.87 % of BWT for the low, med., high NDF, and low, high TDN treatments, respectively). Heavy heifer DMI% did not differ (.Â¥= 2.45, 2.40, 2.24, 2.15, and 2.42 % ofBWT for low, med., and high NDF, and low, high TDN treatments, respectively). Equations to predict DMI were developed using intake information from this and a previous study. Backward stepwise regression was utilized to generate a simplified model. Model selected was: DMI (kg/d) = -5.9781 + (2.2120E-05 * BWTSQ) - (5.5527 * GAIN) + (2.7837 * GAINSQ) + (0.4668 * NDF) + (5.3930 * NDFSQ) + (0.03285 * DM) + 1 (7.7859E-03 * BWT * GAIN);11 = 514, rz = .67.
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    Effects of Prepartum Energy and Protein Density on Productivity and Influence of Dietary Iron on Copper Status of Holstein and Jersey Cattle
    French, Patrick Douglas (Virginia Tech, 1999-08-16)
    In experiment 1, 24 multiparous Holsteins and 24 multiparous Jerseys were assigned at random to one of four diets containing either 1.25, 1.38, 1.50, or 1.63 Mcal NEL/kg DM to determine the effects of prepartum energy density on productivity. Cows were assigned to diets 28 d before expected calving and received a similar diet 0 to 60 d postpartum. Prepartum DMI increased linearly as dietary energy density increased. Non-esterified fatty acids did not differ for energy density and were greater for Holsteins. Milk and 4% FCM increased linearly as dietary energy density increased, although postpartum DMI was quadratic for energy density. Fat yield increased linearly with energy density and protein yield did not differ. Increasing prepartum diet energy density increased yield of milk and 4% FCM. In experiment 2, 26 multiparous and 18 primiparous Jerseys were assigned to one of two CP and rumen undegradable protein (RUP) concentrations 30 d before expected calving to determine the effects of CP and RUP on productivity. Cows received a similar diet 0 to 60 d postpartum. Prepartum CP concentrations were 12 and 15% and prepartum RUP (% of CP) concentrations were 30 and 45%. Dry matter intake was not affected by CP or RUP. Milk yield and 4% FCM yield did not differ for CP or RUP. In addition, milk protein concentration and yield were similar for CP and RUP. Positive calculated metabolizable protein balance for 12% CP and 30% RUP concentrations may have precluded responses to increasing prepartum CP and RUP. In experiment 3, 12 Holstein and 12 Jersey multiparous cows were assigned at random to diets containing 0 or 500 mg FeCO3/kg DM to investigate the effects of dietary Fe on milk production and Cu status. Hepatic Cu did not differ for breeds or Fe supplementation. For Jerseys, hepatic Fe was greater for cows receiving supplemental Fe. Hepatic Zn was similar for breed and Fe supplementation. Plasma Cu was greater for Jerseys compared to Holsteins and did not differ for Fe supplementation. Plasma Fe and Zn did not differ for breeds or Fe supplementation. Iron supplementation did not affect yield of milk or 4% FCM. Dietary Fe did not affect Cu status of Holstein and Jersey cows in this experiment.
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    Effects of Vitamin E Supplementation in Late Gestation Cattle and Evaluation of Vitamin E, Cholesterol, and Phospholipid Relationships in Bovine Serum and Serum Lipoproteins
    Bass, Roger Thompson II (Virginia Tech, 1999-04-21)
    The effects of vitamin E supplementation during late gestation were evaluated in dairy or beef cattle in three experiments. Dairy cows were injected with vitamin E and selenium (Se) in one study; beef cows were offered oral vitamin E supplementation via a free-choice vitamin-mineral mix in two studies. Breed-related effects were also evaluated. Jerseys had higher blood Se and lower serum vitamin E concentrations than Holsteins at dry-off and higher blood Se concentrations than Holsteins 3-4 weeks pre-calving and at calving. Selenium supplementation increased blood Se concentrations at calving. Treatment did not affect serum vitamin E concentrations at calving or post-calving, nor blood Se concentrations post-calving. Beef cattle consuming supplemental vitamin E (treatment) had greater responses to treatment when calving in late winter than when calving in late summer. Treated multiparous cows calving in winter had increased serum and colostral vitamin E concentrations but treatment did not affect colostral or serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations of their calves. Calves from treated, multiparous cows calving in winter had increased 205-day adjusted weaning weights (AWWs). Treatment did not affect colostral vitamin E or IgG concentrations of nulliparous heifers calving in winter, nor serum vitamin E or IgG concentrations, or AWWs of their calves. Six hundred IU supplemental vitamin E/head/day did not affect serum vitamin E concentrations of dams, colostral vitamin E or IgG concentrations, serum vitamin E or IgG concentrations, or growth of calves in the summer-calving herd. Breed-related differences in vitamin E concentrations and AWW occurred in both herds. Consumption of 600-1000 IU vitamin E/cow/day (treatment) during late gestation via a free-choice vitamin-mineral mix increased vitamin E concentrations in serum and the lipoprotein fraction containing no apolipoprotein B (non-ApoB) from 1-2 weeks pre-calving to calving. Treatment group calves had higher vitamin E concentrations in serum and non-ApoB than control group calves. Treatment did not affect cholesterol or phospholipid concentrations in serum or the lipoprotein fractions of either cows or calves. Treatment increased vitamin E cholesterol (VEC) and vitamin E phospholipid (VEPL) ratios in the serum and non-ApoB of cows and calves. Various breed-related differences also occurred.
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    Fecal consistency as related to dietary composition in lactating Holstein cows
    Ireland-Perry, Rebecca L. (Virginia Tech, 1991-11-05)
    Two trials were designed to study the relationships of dietary fiber (ADF) and protein level and source to fecal consistency in lactating cattle. In Experiment 1, 30 cows (12 multiparous, 18 primiparous) were randomly assigned to one of six total mixed diet treatments through four 21 d periods. For Experiment 2, six primiparous cows were used in two 6 x 6 Latin squares to evaluate water consumption, apparent digestibilities of DM, AOF, NOF, and starch, and to quantitate whole corn kernel passage. Total mixed diets for both trials were formulated to contain 17% (LF) or 25% AOF (HF) with CP levels of: 15% (S15) and 22% (S22) with soybean meal (SBM) supplementation, or 22% (G22) with combination of 50% corn gluten meal (eGM) and 50% SBM. Two forage sources were evaluated: corn silage (e) and alfalfa/corn silage (Ae) (50:50 on OM basis). Fecal consistency was evaluated using a 4 point scale (l-most fluid to 4-least fluid). Experiment 1 demonstrated that lower dietary fiber reduced fecal pH (LF=6.65, HF=7.11) and fecal score (LF=2.18, HF=2.41), but increased fecal DM (LF=16.1%, HF=13.2%). Supplementing SBM (S22) decreased fecal DM (S22=14.1%, G22=15.5%) and fecal score (S22=2.01, G22=2.48). Forage source affected fecal DM (C=14%,AC=15.3%), but not pH or score. HF=13.2%). Supplementing SBM (S22) decreased fecal DM (S22=14.1%, G22=15.5%) and fecal score (S22=2.01, G22=2.48). Forage source affected fecal DM (C=14%,AC=15.3%), but not pH or score. Results of Experiment 2 support major conclusions of Experiment 1. High supplementation of SBM increased daily water consumption (S22=80.2 kg, G22=74.5 kg), and reduced fecal score (S22=1.9, G22=2.4). Forage source affected apparent corn kernel (C=21.1% ,AC=33.9%) and starch (C=96%, AC=93%) digestibilities. High protein diets resulted in greater apparent DM digestibility (S15=68.2%, S22=71.8%, G22=71%). In prediction of fecal score from dietary components and animal parameters, dietary DM percent and 4% fat corrected milk (r²=.09, Experiment 1), and DM intake (r²=.12, Experiment 2) were variables most related to fecal score. Dietary effects on fecal consistency were primarily due to ADF level and type of protein supplement. Accurate prediction of fecal consistency score from the dietary and animal parameters identified was not possible. Further study is suggested to evaluate different protein sources, the contribution of water consumption, and to clarify interactions of protein, forage source and fiber level in relation to fecal consistency.
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    Feeding Protein to Meet Dairy Cow Nutrient Requirements Can Result in Cheaper, Environmentally Friendly Rations
    Stallings, Charles C.; Hanigan, Mark D.; James, Robert E. (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009-05-01)
    Feed management in dairy cows to reduce nutrient consumption has been identified as being very effective in reducing output of potentially polluting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.