Prediction of total dry matter intake in lactating dairy cows, model performance

Abstract

An accurate estimation of dry matter intake (DMI) of lactating dairy cows is not only crucial for diet formulation, but also for predicting nutrient excretion. The DMI prediction models of Agroscope (1994), were developed during the 90’s thus an update and validity check is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and precision of models predicting DMI in comparison with present-day DMI database of lactating dairy cows fed forage-based diets indoor.