The main subject area is beef production based on dairy and beefxdairy bull calves. The bull calves used for beef production are raised and fed in various types of production systems. Some are fed concentrate pellets others are fed total mixed rations. However, feed rations are typically high in starch and low in effective fiber, and the roughage share is often too low to assure a normal and well-functioning rumen. This causes acidiotic conditions in the rumen as well as liver abscesses.
The consequences for the behavior and welfare of calves are not well described. We want to develop and test the consequences on performance, health, behavior, economy, and carbon footprint of using alternative healthy and rumen-friendly feedings based on locally produced feed sources, including grass silage. An experiment was conducted at DKC in 2022-2023. An on-farm trial will be conducted from April to Dec 2024. An intensive experiment will be carried out at DKC with rumen-fistulated calves during 2024.
The student will be involved in handling and analyses of data and in recordings during the experiment/trial. The long-term perspective is to develop criteria for a sustainable feeding that has rumen- and health-related advantages compared with the current practice. Thus, the included literature review should cover the above-mentioned aspects.
April or August 2024. To be decided in agreement with the supervisor.
Department of Animal- and Veterinary Sciences, AU Campus Viborg, DK-8830 Tjele and experiments at DKC.
30 ECTS: Theoretical thesis based on literature studies and/or analysis of issued and edited data sets.
45 ECTS: Experimental theses in which the student is responsible for collection and analysis of his/her own original data.
