THE INVESTIGATION OF SODIUM BICARBONATE OR BENTONITE AS SUPPLEMENTS IN SILAGES FED TO LACTATING COWS

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 939-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
V. G. MACKAY

Two experiments with lactating Holsteins were carried out to determine the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or bentonite, added to silage prior to feeding, as a means of increasing dry matter intake. In the first trials the feed, consisting of 10% grain mixture, 45% grass silage and 45% corn silage, was supplemented with 0, 0.6 or 1.2% bentonite in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 12 cows and 28-day test periods. Neither level of bentonite improved dry matter intake or milk yield. Milk composition, molar proportions of rumen volatile fatty acids, plasma calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by additions of bentonite. Apparent dry matter digestibility was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by the addition of bentonite at the 0.6 and 1.2% levels compared to the cows fed the unsupplemented ration. The digestibility of acid detergent fiber was lower (P < 0.05) for cows fed the silage mixture supplemented with 1.2% bentonite than for the controls. In the second trial a silage mixture consisting of approximately 30% grass silage and 70% corn silage was supplemented with either 0.8% NaHCO3, 2.1% bentonite or neither and fed in a 3 × 3 latin square utilizing 15 cows and 28-day treatment periods. Compared to control cows, neither NaHCO3 nor bentonite had any significant (P > 0.05) influence on dry matter intake, milk yield or rumen fermentation. However, the addition of NaHCO3 to the silage improved milk yield and feed conversion (P < 0.05) when compared to cows fed the silage supplemented with bentonite. It was concluded from these trials that bentonite should not be used as a supplement to silage diets fed to lactating cows. The results suggested that NaHCO3 supplementation had little if any beneficial effect when grass silage made up approximately 30% of the total diet. Key words: NaHCO3, bentonite, lactating cows, silage intake, digestibility

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
J. R. LESSARD

Eighteen lactating Holsteins were utilized in a 3 × 3 Latin square (49 d treatment−1) for a comparative estimation of the intake and digestibility of corn, rye and sorghum-sudan grass silages. The dry matter (DM), protein and acid detergent fiber contents were 32.5, 8.0, 27.0; 25.2, 8.7, 45.6 and 22.4, 10.6, 40.7 percent for corn, rye, and sorghum-sudan silages, respectively. Dry matter intake of the silage and milk yield were less (P < 0.05) for cows fed rye silage compared to those fed corn and sorghum-sudan grass silage. Cows lost body weight when fed rye silage but gained weight when fed either corn or sorghum-sudan grass silage. The feeding of rye silage resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in milk protein percent compared to the feeding of corn or sorghum-sudan silage and in the percentage of milk lactose compared to the feeding of sorghum-sudan grass silage. Molar proportions of rumen acetate were higher (P < 0.05) when cows were fed either rye or sorghum-sudan silage compared to corn silage. Cows fed rye silage had higher molar proportions of rumen propionate and valerate and lower levels of butyrate (P < 0.05) compared to cows consuming sorghum-sudan silage. The digestibility of total ration DM was lower (P < 0.05) when either rye or sorghum-sudan silage was the forage portion of the ration compared to corn. It was concluded from this trial that sorghum-sudan silage provided a suitable source of forage for lactating dairy cows. However, the DM intake and milk yield of cows fed rye silage was less than satisfactory. Key words: Dairy cattle, rye, sorghum-sudan, silage, intake, digestibility


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 799-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. GRIEVE ◽  
J. H. BURTON ◽  
H. E. BRAUN ◽  
R. FRANK

Shredded newsprint is a potential source of bedding for livestock, but because it may contain certain heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls significant voluntary consumption of newsprint by animals would be undesirable. To determine consumption levels, 18 Holstein cows in mid-lactation (average 19 wk) were used in a double latin square design. Squares represented access to shredded newsprint or chopped hay in the feed manger except during feeding time. Within squares, cows were allotted to each of three complete mixed rations over three 6-wk treatment periods. Rations comprised hay crop silage, corn silage, high moisture grain corn and soybean meal with roughage:concentrate ratios of 30:70 (LR), 50:50 (MR) and 70:30 (HR). Mixed rations were fed according to individual cow requirements for energy depending on body weight, milk yield and milk fat percent. Cows were allowed 4 h after each of two feedings per day to consume their allotted mixed ration. Voluntary consumption of newsprint was only 0.3 kg per cow per day or 2% of total dry matter intake while for those offered hay consumption was 2.6 kg∙cow−1∙day−1 or 15% of total dry matter intake. Intakes of mixed rations were unaffected by roughage:concentrate ratio or newsprint versus hay. However, total dry matter consumption (mixed ration plus newsprint or hay) was higher for cows offered hay (17.3 kg∙cow−1∙day−1) than for those offered newsprint (15.1 kg∙cow−1∙day−1). Levels of heavy metals in milk or blood samples of cows with access to newsprint were within normally accepted ranges. PCBs were at undetectable levels in all cases. Bedding cows with newsprint is unlikely to result in significant consumption or contamination of animals or their products. Key words: Lactating cows, newsprint consumption, heavy metals


2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Olusola Adeyanju Olorunnisomo ◽  
Gladys Abiemwense Ibhaze

Abstract Year-round availability of feed is a major concern for dairy farmers in many parts of the tropics. Silage making is a reliable means of providing feed for dairy cattle during periods of forage scarcity. In this study, Elephant grass (EG) (Pennisetum purpureum) was ensiled with cassava peel (CSP) at 0, 10, 30 and 50% levels of inclusion on a wet basis. At 21, 42 and 63 days of ensiling, silage samples were taken for chemical analysis and the remaining materials were fed to four lactating Sokoto Gudali cows for a period of 84 days using a Latin square design. Dry matter (DM) content of silage mixtures increased from 18.22 to 28.70% as level of CSP in the silage mixture increased while crude protein (7.33 to 6.08%) and crude fibre (32.80 to 23.95%) decreased. Dry matter intake of cows, milk yield and feed conversion ratio (FCR) varied (P < 0.05) with inclusion of cassava peel in the silage mixtures. Dry matter intake of cows increased from 2.56 to 3.84% of body weight (BW) and milk yield from 2.90 to 6.70 kg/d as proportion of CSP in the grass silage increased. Feed conversion ratio of cows ranged from 2.08 to 3.23 and improved with inclusion of CSP in the silage. These results show that addition of cassava peel to Elephant grass silage improved intake and milk production in Sokoto Gudali cows fed Elephant grass silage.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 379-384
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER

Fifteen lactating Holsteins were used to test processed aspen added to corn silage at the levels of 0, 10 and 20% (dry matter basis). The experiment was designed as a latin square with three experimental periods each 42 days in length. The forage mixtures were fed free choice to the cows, which were housed in a free-stall barn, and their individual feed intakes were recorded by using electronic doors. The processed aspen contained 45.4% dry matter, 73.7% acid detergent fiber and 0.54% protein. There was no evidence of heating or mold growth in the aspen during the 5 mo of the trial. Silage dry matter intake and milk yield were 11.8, 13.4 and 13.4 and 25.7, 27.0 and 26.8 kg per day, respectively, for the silage mixtures containing 0, 10 and 20% processed aspen. Fat test was decreased slightly and milk protein content significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by the addition of 20% processed aspen chips to the corn silage. Efficiency of milk yield was not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of aspen chips in the silage. Neither the molar proportion of acetic acid nor the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid in the rumen fluid was changed when the cows were fed silage containing processed aspen chips. The apparent digestibilities of total ration dry matter and protein were lowered significantly by the addition of 10% aspen chips to the forage mixture. It was concluded from the results of this trial that steam-processed aspen chips had little nutritive value when fed to lactating cows as a partial substitute for corn silage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 2747-2758
Author(s):  
Tamara Tais Tres ◽  
◽  
Clóves Cabreira Jobim ◽  
Robson Marcelo Rossi ◽  
Antonio Vinicius Iank Bueno ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition, and feed efficiency of cows fed corn grain silages with okara or raw soybean inclusion. Six Holstein cows were distributed in a double Latin square and arranged in the following treatments: concentrate formulated based on corn grain silage with 30% okara inclusion; concentrate of corn grain silage with 20% raw soybean inclusion, and concentrate based on dry corn grains. Statistical analysis was performed using Bayesian inference. Diets formulated with silages reduced dry matter intake compared to the diet of concentrate based on dry grains. High digestibility of DM, OM, NFC, and EE was observed for diets with silage inclusion. Milk presented an increase in CLA for the diet of corn grain silage diet with soybean inclusion. Rehydrated grain corn silage with soybean or okara inclusion reduced dry matter intake and increased nutrient digestibility, maintaining the same milk production, which demonstrates the higher efficiency of these diets.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 559-565
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER

Sixteen Holstein cows in early lactation were assigned to a switch-back experiment consisting of two experimental periods 35 days in length separated by a 7-day changeover period. Treatments consisted of two feeding systems, alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage or alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. When cows were fed corn–alfalfa cube silage they consumed more forage, 2.26 vs. 2.16% of body weight per cow per day than when they were fed the alfalfa cubes with the silage. Fat-corrected milk yield was somewhat higher, 25.4 vs. 24.0 kg/day; fat percent and fat yield were greater, 3.13 vs. 2.70% and 918 vs. 814 g/day for corn–alfalfa cube silage as compared to cubes added at feeding time. However, milk yield was greater, 29.9 vs. 29.1 kg/day, and milk lactose percent was greater, 5.26 vs. 5.18% for cows fed cubes at feeding time compared to cows fed corn–alfalfa cube silage. There was no difference between feeding systems in blood minerals or metabolites with the exception of plasma urea nitrogen which was higher, 20.2 vs. 17.2 mg %, for the alfalfa cubes fed with the corn silage. Apparent dry matter and protein digestibility for the total ration were 68.1 and 71.6% when corn alfalfa cube silage was fed compared to 65.4 and 68.5% when the cubes were fed with the corn silage (P < 0.05). It was concluded from this study that alfalfa cubes ensiled with corn silage was an effective method of increasing the dry matter and protein content of corn silage and in improving the digestibility of the total ration.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikael Neumann ◽  
Robson Kyoshi Ueno ◽  
Julio Cezar Heker Junior ◽  
Eloize Jaqueline Askel ◽  
André Martins de Souza ◽  
...  

Monensin is an ionophore antibiotic, the inclusion of which in the feed of beef cattle favors the best use of feed nutrients, via ruminal modulation. However, there are concerns regarding the residence of residues in the carcass from metabolism of monensin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters, tissue residual depletion and economic benefit of finishing of young bulls in confinement with monensin in the ration. Thirty-six animals were confined, and given 50% corn silage feed and 50% more concentrated feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments (with or without monensin) and 10 replicates for the control group and eight for the monensin group. The use of monensin reduced the dry matter intake in relation to live weight (2.36% vs 2.55%), and improved feed conversion (8.61 vs 10.06 kg kg?1); the animals presented higher live weight (511 vs 494 kg), higher warm carcass weight (285 vs 272 kg) and an increase in fat thickness (4.97 vs 4.25 mm) compared to control animals. These increases in performance gave higher economic results, with a profit margin of R$ 122.84 per animal. A waiting period of 16 h before slaughter resulted in monensin concentrations below 0.25 µg kg?1 in edible organs and tissues, values well below those permitted by legislation. The use of monensin for young bulls in confinement promoted improvements in productive and economic performance, without leaving residues in edible tissues.


1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Aston ◽  
C. Thomas ◽  
S. R. Daley ◽  
J. D. Sutton ◽  
M. S. Dhanoa

AbstractHigh digestibility ryegrass was ensiled using either good methods including formic acid application (HDG) or poor methods without formic acid (HDP). Low digestibility ryegrass (LDG) and lucerne (LUC) were ensiled using similar methods to HDG. Digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DM) in vivo (DOMD) for HDG, HDP, LDG and LUC were 0·756, 0·774, 0·645 and 0·562 respectively. Silages were offered ad libitum to 40 HolsteinFriesian cows in two Latin-square design experiments during weeks 8 to 22 of lactation either alone (experiment 1) or with 3, 6, 9 or 12 kg concentrate DM per day (experiment 2). Relative intakes of silage given alone were respectively 1·00, 0·44, 0·98 and 0·79. Low intake of HDP could not be predicted from silage analysis. In experiment 2, DM intake increased by 0·11 kg and milk yield by 0·24 kg for each 0·010 change in grass silage DOMD. Intake of HDG, LDG and LUC declined linearly with increasing concentrate, on HDP the effect was non-linear and intake increased up to the 6 kg level.In experiment 1, milk and protein yields were greatest on HDG, protein yield was higher on LDG than LUC and fat concentration higher on HDP and LUC. With supplementation milk yield was greatest on HDG up to the 6 kg level, at higher levels differences between silages were not significant. Fat concentration was highest on LDG and protein highest on HDG and lowest on LUC. On all silages giving the highest concentrate level reduced the concentration and yield of fat. Protein concentration increased up to the 9 kg level. Fat plus protein yields reached a maximum on HDG with 6 kg concentrate DM per day and with 9 kg on the remaining silages.


Author(s):  
G.P. Jones ◽  
P.C. Garnsworthy

Recent work concluded that when lactating dairy cows are fed a relatively high energy diet (Garnsworthy and Jones, 1987), increasing the dietary undegradable protein (UDP) supply to those which are fat at calving leads to increased mobilisation of body fat reserves; however, increasing the UDP supply to those which are thin at calving results in reduction of voluntary feed intake, but does not affect the change in condition or milk yield. Little difference was found in yields of cows fat at calving receiving a relatively high UDP diet post calving, and cows thin at calving receiving a high or low UDP diet. Similar results were obtained with diets of lower energy and protein content (Jones and Garnsworthy, 1987). The investigation reported here aimed to examine the effect of body condition at calving on the response to energy level in the diet.


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