Effect of diet-induced negative energy balance on the feeding behavior of dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine how feeding behavior of dairy cows is altered in response to diet-induced negative energy balance, and if this response varies depending on dietary particle size distribution. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 30; days in milk = 59 ± 5; parity = 2.8 ± 0.19), producing 44.6 ± 1.2 kg/d of milk, were fed (on a dry matter basis) a lactating diet [net energy of lactation (NE_L) = 1.66 Mcal/kg; 68% forage, including 1.8% wheat straw] during a 2-wk baseline period. To induce negative energy balance, cows were then exposed for 3 wk to 1 of 2 diets formulated for a 20% reduction in energy available for milk (NE_L = 1.58 Mcal/kg; 73% forage, including 17.2% wheat straw). These diets were identical, only varying in straw chop length: (1) long straw diet (LS): straw chopped with a 10.2-cm screen, or (2) short straw diet (SS): straw chopped with a 2.54-cm screen. Cows consumed 25.6 ± 0.26 kg/d during the baseline period. Dry matter intake decreased on the experimental diets; dry matter intake was greater for the SS diet as compared with the LS diet (23.1 vs. 22.5 kg/d; standard error = 0.47). During the baseline period, cow serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and blood β-hydroxybutyrate averaged 0.27 ± 0.02 and 0.71 ± 0.05 mmol/L, respectively. During the experimental period, NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate averaged 0.34 and 1.04 mmol/L, respectively, with a peak of NEFA (0.63 ± 0.06 mmol/L) occurring 4 d after dietary change. During baseline, cows produced 42.3 ± 0.33 kg/d of milk; milk yield was decreased for both SS cows and LS cows during the experimental period (SS = 39.0, LS = 37.8 kg/d; standard error = 0.67). On the experimental diets, cows spent more time eating (266.8 vs. 221.8 min/d), had longer meal lengths (46.9 vs. 37.5 min/meal), and consumed fewer meals (7.1 vs. 7.7 meals/d) compared with the baseline period. Within the experimental period, LS cows spent more time eating per day than SS cows (LS = 281.3, SS = 252.2 min/d). During the baseline period cows sorted against long particles (>19 mm), did not sort medium particles (8 to 19 mm), and sorted for short (4 to 8 mm) and fine (<4 mm) particles. Cows did not change sorting of long particles on the SS diet, but increased sorting against these on the LS diet. On the SS diet cows did not change their sorting of short and fine particles. On the LS diet cows increased sorting for short and fine particles. In the baseline period, no association was detected between feed sorting and serum NEFA concentration. During the experimental period, greater NEFA concentration was associated with greater sorting in favor of short particles for both the LS and SS diets. Furthermore, greater NEFA concentration was associated with greater sorting against the longest particles for both the LS and SS diets. No associations of blood and meal variables were detected during the experimental period. Overall, cows altered their feed sorting behavior in response to experiencing a diet-induced period of negative energy balance and the severity of negative energy balance was associated with the extent of that change in feed sorting.