scholarly journals Effects of altering alfalfa hay quality when feeding steam-flaked versus high-moisture corn grain on ruminal fermentation and lactational performance of dairy cows

2014 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 7833-7843 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-S. Eun ◽  
A.W. Kelley ◽  
K. Neal ◽  
A.J. Young ◽  
J.O. Hall
Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 919
Author(s):  
Verónica M. Merino ◽  
Lorena Leichtle ◽  
Oscar A. Balocchi ◽  
Francisco Lanuza ◽  
Julián Parga ◽  
...  

The aim was to determine the effect of the herbage allowance (HA) and supplement type (ST) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, grazing behavior, rumen function, and blood metabolites of grazing dairy cows in the spring season. Experiment I: 64 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were distributed in a factorial design that tested two levels of daily HA (20 and 30 kg of dry matter (DM) per cow) and two ST (high moisture maize (HMM) and cracked wheat (CW)) distributed in two daily rations (3.5 kg DM/cow/day). Experiment II: four mid-lactation rumen cannulated cows, supplemented with either HMM or CW and managed with the two HAs, were distributed in a Latin square design of 4 × 4, for four 14-d periods to assess ruminal fermentation parameters. HA had no effect on milk production (averaging 23.6 kg/day) or milk fat and protein production (823 g/day and 800 g/day, respectively). Cows supplemented with CW had greater protein concentration (+1.2 g/kg). Herbage DMI averaged 14.17 kg DM/cow.day and total DMI averaged 17.67 kg DM/cow.day and did not differ between treatments. Grazing behavior activities (grazing, rumination, and idling times) and body condition score (BCS) were not affected by HA or ST. Milk and plasma urea concentration increased under the high HA (+0.68 mmol/L and +0.90 mmol/L, respectively). Cows supplemented with HMM had lower milk and plasma urea concentrations (0.72 mmol/L and 0.76 mmol/L less, respectively) and tended (p = 0.054) to have higher plasma β-hydroxybutyrate. Ruminal parameters did not differ between treatments.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Ferreira de Almeida ◽  
Tiago Antônio Del Valle ◽  
Pablo Gomes de Paiva ◽  
Elmeson Ferreira de Jesus ◽  
Rafael Vilella Barletta ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to evaluate effects of partial replacement of corn grain and soybean meal with whole raw soybean or whole cottonseed on milk yield and composition, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites. Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows (133.0 ± 53.1 days in milk, 585.2 ± 54.2 kg of BW and 32.22 ± 5.32 kg/day of milk) were used in six 3 × 3 Latin squares with 21-day periods. The cows were randomly assigned to receive one of the following diets: control (CT), diet without oilseed inclusion; whole soybean (WS), inclusion of 120 g/kg of whole raw soybean (diet DM basis); and whole cottonseed (WCS), inclusion of 120 g/kg of whole cottonseed (diet DM basis). Dietary supplementation with WS or WCS had no effect on milk yield and composition. DM and non-fibre carbohydrate intake were decreased in cows fed WS and WCS when compared with CT; however, WS and WCS increased ether extract intake and digestibility. The WCS decreased DM, crude protein, ether extract and non-fibre carbohydrate intake when compared with WS. Cows fed WCS had higher ruminal pH than those fed WS or CT. Cows fed WS showed higher propionate concentration than cows fed WCS. Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased when cows were fed WS compared with those fed CT or WCS. The partial replacement of corn grain and soybean meal with WS or WCS in diets of mid-lactating dairy cows decreased DM intake and altered ruminal fermentation, but did not affect milk yield and composition.


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