The influence of dietary protein intake on milk production and blood composition of high-yielding dairy cows.

Cows were fed either 75 or 100% of the recommended intake levels for protein and 100% of recommended energy levels (Agricultural Research Council, 1965) from 8 weeks pre-calving until 14 weeks post calving. From 14 weeks post calving and to the end of lactation all the cows received 100% of the recommended protein and energy intakes. The mean of the 305-d milk yields of the 2 groups was not significantly different and although cows on the lower protein intake produced less lactose during the first 14 weeks of lactation there was no significant difference in total lactose, fat, protein or total solids production between the groups. In both groups blood packed-cell volume, red cell count and haemoglobin decreased during the first 10 weeks of lactation and then began to increase in the high-protein group. The cows receiving the low-protein diet showed a similar increase only when they received the high-protein ration from 14 weeks post calving. The mean interval from calving to conception was 27-5 weeks in the high-protein group and 20 weeks in the low-protein group. It is concluded that feeding 75% of protein requirements to dairy cows during the first 14 weeks of lactation does not reduce milk yield or quality significantly and probably has no adverse effect on fertility.