This technical note presents linear regression equations to directly calculate the nutrient requirements of dairy cattle (TDN, DE, ME, NEL, CP, Ca, P, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D) at different physiological stages: maintenance, pregnancy, and milk production. The equations are based on the NRC (National Research Council) nutrient requirements tables and were developed using data from 400 to 800 kg live weight and milk fat percentage ranging from 3.0% to 5.5%. The R-square values for each equation were calculated to assess the degree of adjustment, which was found to be over 99.9%.
The results show that the energy requirements for maintenance increase by 0.0053 kg TDN, 0.0235, 0.0205, and 0.0122 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every kilogram increase in live weight. The crude protein requirements increase by 0.42 g per kilogram of live weight. The mineral and vitamin requirements also show significant increases with live weight and milk fat percentage.
For the last two months of pregnancy, the energy requirements for maintenance increase by 0.007 kg TDN, 0.031, 0.026, and 0.016 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every kilogram increase in live weight. The crude protein requirements increase by 1.51 g per kilogram of live weight.
For lactation, the energy requirements increase by 0.042 kg TDN and 0.1874, 0.1646, and 0.0949 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every percentage point increase in milk fat. The mineral requirements also increase with milk fat percentage.
The high R-square values (all above 0.99) indicate that these equations provide reliable estimates of nutrient requirements. These equations can be used to individually calculate nutrient requirements for different stages of the animal's life, enhancing the precision and efficiency of dairy cattle nutrition management.This technical note presents linear regression equations to directly calculate the nutrient requirements of dairy cattle (TDN, DE, ME, NEL, CP, Ca, P, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D) at different physiological stages: maintenance, pregnancy, and milk production. The equations are based on the NRC (National Research Council) nutrient requirements tables and were developed using data from 400 to 800 kg live weight and milk fat percentage ranging from 3.0% to 5.5%. The R-square values for each equation were calculated to assess the degree of adjustment, which was found to be over 99.9%.
The results show that the energy requirements for maintenance increase by 0.0053 kg TDN, 0.0235, 0.0205, and 0.0122 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every kilogram increase in live weight. The crude protein requirements increase by 0.42 g per kilogram of live weight. The mineral and vitamin requirements also show significant increases with live weight and milk fat percentage.
For the last two months of pregnancy, the energy requirements for maintenance increase by 0.007 kg TDN, 0.031, 0.026, and 0.016 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every kilogram increase in live weight. The crude protein requirements increase by 1.51 g per kilogram of live weight.
For lactation, the energy requirements increase by 0.042 kg TDN and 0.1874, 0.1646, and 0.0949 Mcal ED, EM, and ENL, respectively, for every percentage point increase in milk fat. The mineral requirements also increase with milk fat percentage.
The high R-square values (all above 0.99) indicate that these equations provide reliable estimates of nutrient requirements. These equations can be used to individually calculate nutrient requirements for different stages of the animal's life, enhancing the precision and efficiency of dairy cattle nutrition management.