Feeding behaviour feedback signals ruminant gastrointestinal tract metabolites and hormones central nervous control integrative theories of food intake control growth and fattening reproduction and lactation diet digestability and concentration of available energy specific nutrients affecting intake learning about food - preferences diet selection appetites for specific nutrients environmental factors affecting intake the intake of fresh and conserved grass prediction of voluntary intake. Appendices: particular features of poultry and ruminant animals outline programme to identify and store meals from the identities of animals and weights of food containers.

Voluntary food intake and diet selection in farm animals.

Effect of quantity, quality, and length of alfalfa hay on selective consumption by dairy cows.

Changes in feeding behavior as possible indicators for the automatic monitoring of health disorders in dairy cows.

Effects of a Subacute Ruminal Acidosis Model on the Diet Selection of Dairy Cows

Methane, in addition to being a significant source of energy loss to the animal that can range from 0·02 to 0·12 of gross energy intake, is one of the major greenhouse gases being targeted for reduction by the Kyoto protocol. Thus, one of the focuses of recent research in animal science has been to develop or improve existing methane prediction models in order to increase overall understanding of the system and to evaluate mitigation strategies for methane reduction. Several dynamic mechanistic models of rumen function have been developed which contain hydrogen gas balance sub-models from which methane production can be predicted. These models predict methane production with varying levels of success and in many cases could benefit from further development. Central to methane prediction is accurate volatile fatty acid prediction, representation of the competition for substrate usage within the rumen, as well as descriptions of protozoal dynamics and pH. Most methane models could also largely benefit from an expanded description of lipid metabolism and hindgut fermentation. The purpose of the current review is to identify key aspects of rumen microbiology that could be incorporated into, or have improved representation within, a model of ruminant digestion and environmental emissions.

Aspects of rumen microbiology central to mechanistic modelling of methane production in cattle

Proportions of Volatile Fatty Acids in Relation to the Chemical Composition of Feeds Based on Grass Silage

Diet Choice by Dairy Cows. 2. Selection for Metabolizable Protein or for Ruminally Degradable Protein

Diet Choice by Dairy Cows. 1. Selection of Feed Protein Content During the First Half of Lactation

Diet selection in dairy cows: effect of training on choice of dietary protein level

Oldham, J. D., Dewhurst, R. J. (2004). Limits to sustaining productivity, product quality and animal welfare in forage-based dairy systems. Pages 867-875 in: Luscher A., Jeangros, B., Kessler, W., Huguenin, O., Lobsiger, M., Millar, N., Suter, D. (Eds). Land use systems on grassland dominated regions. Grassland Science in Europe 9. European Grassland Federation (EGF) Proceedings of the European Grassland Federation (EGF) 20th General Meeting, Luzern, Switzerland, 21-24 June 2004.

J.D. Oldham

Papers

Proportions of Volatile Fatty Acids in Relation to the Chemical Composition of Feeds Based on Grass Silage

Diet Choice by Dairy Cows. 2. Selection for Metabolizable Protein or for Ruminally Degradable Protein

Diet Choice by Dairy Cows. 1. Selection of Feed Protein Content During the First Half of Lactation

Diet selection in dairy cows: effect of training on choice of dietary protein level

Limits to sustaining productivity, product quality and animal welfare in forage-based dairy systems