降低日粮蛋白质含量和添加瘤胃保护Lys对高产奶牛生产性能的影响

将60头荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4个试验组:饲喂18%CP和0.82%Lys的日粮为对照组,16.0%CP和0.65%Lys的为试验1组,16.0%CP和0.85%Lys的为试验2组及16.0%CP和1.05%Lys的为试验3组。添加的Lys为瘤胃保护赖氨酸(RPLys),4个日粮配方用相同瘤胃未降解蛋白质来平衡。所有试验奶牛先饲喂2周试验日粮作为预试期,然后开始10周正试期。试验期间,对照组产奶量平均为(31.55±0.9)kg/d,与试验2组和3组的产奶量相似([31.01±0.6)kg/dvs(31.03±0.7)kg/d(]P>0.05);对照组产奶量比试验1组高1.2kg/d(P<0.05)。因此,如果奶牛日粮考虑代谢蛋白质(MP)的数量和质量,16%CP日粮在产奶后期可以维持产奶量。RPLys添加到16%CP日粮中改进MP质量,提高奶产量。     

添加饲料枣、大豆皮或鲜啤酒渣对奶牛产奶性能的影响

将40头荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4个试验组,每组10头奶牛。试验1组的日粮为13.9%粗蛋白质(CP)、产奶净能(NEL)7.23 MJ/kg和0.58%赖氨酸(Lys),添加饲料枣、大豆皮或新鲜啤酒渣,试验2组～4组为CP13.9%、NEL 7.02 MJ/kg和依次0.54%、0.52%0、.52%Lys。所有试验奶牛先饲喂10 d试验日粮作为预试期,然后开始70 d正试期。试验4组产奶量平均为(27.75±1.31)kg/d,略高于试验1组[(27.20±0.69)kg/d]和试验3组[(27.25±0.87)kg/d](P0.05);试验2组产奶量略有下降[(26.65±0.64)kg/d],但差异不显著(P0.05)。因此,日粮CP水平保持在13.9%条件下,适当降低日粮赖氨酸含量,饲料枣和新鲜啤酒渣的快速降解非纤维碳水合化物和瘤胃降解蛋白质弥补了日粮中Lys含量的不足,产生氨基酸节省效应(amino acid-spare effect),有助于提高产奶量,增加产奶纯收入。分别添加饲料枣、新鲜啤酒渣和混合添加饲料枣、大豆皮、新鲜啤酒渣的低成本日粮有利于提高奶牛产奶量、乳成分和经济效益。     

加拿大双低菜粕对奶牛产奶性能的影响

试验主要研究了加拿大双低菜粕对奶牛产奶性能的影响,为加拿大双低油菜籽粕在奶牛生产中的科学应用提供理论依据和实践指导。试验采用单因素完全随机设计,选择32头荷斯坦奶牛,按年龄、体重、胎次、泌乳期与产奶量随机分组。试验包括2部分。第一部分,日粮粗蛋白含量为14.5%,将16头奶牛随机分为对照组与双低菜粕组,每组8头牛,对照组不饲喂双低菜粕,双低菜粕组在精饲料中添加10%的双低菜粕,替代精饲料中全部的豆粕和棉粕。第二部分,日粮粗蛋白含量为12.5%,将16头奶牛随机分为对照组与双低菜粕组,每组8头牛,对照组不饲喂双低菜粕,双低菜粕组在精饲料中添加5%的双低菜粕,替代精饲料中全部的豆粕和棉粕。试验期75 d,其中预饲期15 d,正饲期60 d。结果表明:蛋白含量为14.5%的双低菜粕组可以提高产奶量,在整个试验期内,平均每头奶牛每天多产奶0.76 kg,对乳成分没有显著影响(P0.05),与对照组相比,双低菜粕组的平均乳脂量、乳蛋白量显著增加(P0.05)。在奶牛日粮中蛋白含量为12.5%时,双低菜粕组对奶牛产奶性能没有显著的影响(P0.05)。因此合理使用加拿大双低菜粕提高奶牛产奶性能,从而提高经济效益。     

日粮赖氨酸含量对奶牛产奶性能的影响

试验选取40头荷斯坦奶牛随机分为4个试验组,每组10头奶牛。试验1组的日粮为14.1%粗蛋白质(CP)和0.60%赖氨酸(Lys),试验2组为14.1%CP和0.45%Lys,试验3组12.6%CP和0.58%Lys及试验4组12.5%CP和0.44%Lys。所有试验奶牛先饲喂10d试验日粮作为预试期,然后开始70d正试期。试验结果表明:试验1组产奶量平均为(22.26±1.50)kg/d,与试验3组([21.98±2.18)kg/d](P0.05);试验1组和3组产奶量均高于试验2组和4组(P0.05);试验2组产奶量([20.83±1.57)kg/d]略高于4组([20.15±1.71)kg/d],差异不显著(P0.05)。因此,奶牛日粮蛋白质从14.1%适当降到12.6%,日粮赖氨酸水平保持在0.60%,奶牛产奶量不受影响,乳蛋白含量有上升趋势;奶牛日粮赖氨酸从0.60%降到0.45%,无论日粮蛋白质水平是否变化,奶牛产奶量下降。     

双低菜粕对泌乳前期奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响

320头泌乳前期荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2组,试验采用交叉设计,研究双低菜粕替代豆粕等蛋白质饲料对奶牛产奶量和乳成分的影响。结果:与对照组相比,双低菜粕组奶牛日粮中组氨酸、蛋氨酸等必需氨基酸水平提高,奶牛产奶量提高了0.21 kg/d,乳蛋白提高了0.19百分点,但差异均不显著(P>0.05);乳尿素氮水平下降了13.51%,差异极显著(P<0.01)。表明双低菜粕替代豆粕棉粕等蛋白质饲料不影响奶牛对饲料的采食量,能够替代奶牛日粮中部分豆粕等蛋白质饲料。     

猪脱酚棉籽蛋白能量及粗蛋白质消化率的比较评定

研究旨在评定猪对脱酚棉籽消化能和粗蛋白表观消化率,并比较脱酚棉籽蛋白(DCP)与豆粕(SBM)之间差异。选用体重(36.2±1.6)kg的杜×长×大三元杂交猪6头,采用套算法、双3×3拉丁方试验设计,试验日粮分别为脱酚棉籽蛋白日粮、豆粕日粮和基础日粮,每个拉丁方阶段包括5 d预饲期、5 d正式期,整个试验共30 d。结果表明,脱酚棉籽蛋白、豆粕消化能含量分别为12.41 MJ/kg、13.62 MJ/kg。脱酚棉籽蛋白、豆粕中粗蛋白表观消率化分别为73.35%、82.05%,表观可消化粗蛋白含量分别为37.92%、35.45%。脱酚棉籽蛋白是新型蛋白质原料,其消化能含量为豆粕的91.11%,粗蛋白表观消率化为豆粕的89.39%,可消化粗蛋白含量为豆粕的106.99%。脱酚棉籽蛋白在猪饲料中的应用具有广阔的前景。     

极低蛋白日粮不同蛋白源对仔猪生长性能和氮代谢的影响

本试验在补充9种晶体氨基酸的极低蛋白(14%)日粮的条件下,研究不同蛋白来源日粮对仔猪生长性能和氮代谢的影响。将36头体重相近(14.62±1.46 kg)的杜×长×大阉公仔猪随机分为4组,分别饲喂蛋白源由豆粕、棉籽粕、豆粕-棉籽粕和鱼粉组成的日粮。结果表明:与豆粕相比,棉籽粕和鱼粉显著降低了末重和平均日增重、增加了饲料增重比(P0.05),豆粕-棉籽粕组与豆粕组差异均不显著(P0.05);棉籽粕和鱼粉都显著降低了血清总蛋白含量(P0.05);棉籽粕和豆粕-棉籽粕显著降低了血清白蛋白的含量(P0.05);棉籽粕显著增加血清中尿素的含量(P0.05),而豆粕-棉籽粕显著降低其含量(P0.05);棉籽粕显著降低粪氮含量(P0.05);棉籽粕能够显著增加尿氮含量(P0.05),鱼粉则显著降低其含量(P0.05);棉籽粕显著降低了氮沉积率(P0.05),而豆粕-棉籽粕和鱼粉显著增加了氮沉积率(P0.05)。因此,补充晶体氨基酸后,以棉籽粕-豆粕为蛋白源的极低蛋白日粮能够获得与豆粕相近的生长性能,且氮排放比豆粕降低10.68%。     

不同比例棉籽粕替代豆粕在樱桃谷鸭日粮中的应用

试验主要研究棉籽粕3%、6%、9%替代豆粕配制日粮对樱桃谷鸭生长及屠宰性能,心、肝、胰、脾指数及甲状腺激素含量的影响,评价棉籽粕的适宜替代比例。试验选320只14日龄樱桃谷鸭随机分成4组,对照组、3%、6%、9%组分别用0%、3%、6%、9%棉籽粕替代豆粕配制日粮。试验期为14～35日龄,共21d。试验结果表明:3%、6%组鸭的各项生长及屠宰指标,心、肝、胰、脾指数未见显著影响,T3含量均比对照组显著降低,T4含量均比对照组显著增加;9%组鸭35d平均体重比对照组降低7.17%(P<0.05),肝脏指数比对照组提高9.40%(P<0.05)。综合考虑试验结果及饲料成本,6%棉籽粕替代豆粕最好,3%次之,9%最差。     

日粮蛋白质和赖氨酸水平对奶牛产奶性能的影响

试验选择40头泌乳中期的荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为4组,饲喂4种不同蛋白质和赖氨酸水平的日粮,以测定4种日粮对奶牛产奶性能的影响.预试期10 d,正式期70 d.试验I组(日粮CP 14.1%,Lys 0.60%)和试验Ⅲ组(日粮CP 12.6%,Lys 0.58%)产奶量明显高于试验Ⅱ组(日粮CP 14.1%,Lys 0.45%)和试验Ⅳ组(日粮CP 12.5%,Lys 0.44%)(P<0.05);试验I组产奶量略高于试验Ⅲ组,试验Ⅱ组产奶量高于试验Ⅳ组但差异不显著(P>0.05).各试验组之间的乳脂率、乳蛋白、乳糖、总固形物和体细胞(SCC)基本无变化(P>0.05).综合分析表明,日粮CP水平从14.1%下降到12.6%时,维持相同的赖氨酸水平,奶牛产奶性能不受影响.奶牛日粮赖氨酸水平从0.60%降到0.45%,无论日粮蛋白质水平是否变化,奶牛产奶量下降.     

低发酵棉粕日粮对奶牛产奶量及乳成分的影响

试验选用20头4胎次产奶量约32 kg,泌乳时间接近的健康荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为2处理组,即对照组和试验组,各10头牛,用发酵棉粕等量替代日粮20%的棉籽粕,试验进行6周,每5 d测定一次产奶量和乳成分。试验结果表明:添加20%的发酵棉粕对奶牛产奶量及乳成分无显著影响(P0.05)。     

Effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate: IV. Feed intake, rumen fermentation and milk production in milking cows

Four early-lactation crossbred cows (82.5 % Holstein) were selected to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate on rumen fermentation and milk production. Cows were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a 2?×?2 factorial arrangement in a 4?×?4 Latin Square design. Factor A was carbohydrate source: cassava chip (CC) and CC + rice bran at a ratio 3:1 (CR3:1), and factor B was variation in the level of cottonseed meal (CM): low (LCM) and high (HCM) in isonitrogenous diets (180 g CP/kg DM). It was found that carbohydrate source did not affect feed intake, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, microbial population, milk yield and composition, or economic return (P?>?0.05). However, cows fed with CC had a higher population of amylolytic bacteria than cows fed with CR3:1 (P?<?0.05). Cows fed with HCM had a higher total feed intake, milk yield and composition, and milk income when compared with cows fed on LCM although the concentrate and roughage intakes, dry matter digestibility, rumen fermentation, and microbial populations were similar between treatments (P?>?0.05). In addition, the carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level interactions were not significant for any parameter. It could be concluded that cassava chip and high level of cottonseed meal could usefully be incorporated into concentrates for dairy cows without impacting on rumen fermentation or milk production.     

Dietary grain source and oil supplement: Feeding behavior and lactational performance of Holstein cows

Effects of grain source and dietary oil supplement on dry matter intake (DMI), feeding, chewing behavior, and production performance of lactating dairy cows were evaluated using eight multiparous Holstein cows (77±22.1 days in milk; mean±SD) in a duplicated 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental diets contained either ground barley or ground corn supplemented with either fish oil or soybean oil at 2% of dietary dry matter (DM). Geometric mean particle size of dietary treatments was 4.1 mm. Dry matter intake tended (P=0.09) to be greater for barley- vs. corn-based diets (23.2 vs. 22.3 kg/d), but was reduced for the fish oil compared to soybean oil supplemented diets (21.1 vs. 24.3 kg/d; P<0.001). This reduction in DMI was attributed to smaller meal size (1.24 vs. 1.55 kg of DM; P=0.004) and slower eating rate (0.082 vs. 0.098 kg of DM/min; P<0.001) for fish oil compared to soybean oil supplemented diets. Main treatment effects interacted (P=0.005) for DMI of particles retained on 19 mm sieve but not for sorting index. Eating rate (0.090 kg of DM/min) was similar between barley- and corn-based diets, however, rumination time was greater for barley- compared to corn-based diets as result of longer rumination bout duration (32.5 vs. 28.5 min/bout; P=0.01). Barley- compared to corn-based diets increased total chewing time by 71 min (709 vs. 638 min) for cows fed fish oil, but not for cows fed soybean oil. Grain source did not affect milk yield or milk composition. Compared to soybean oil, fish oil negatively affected milk yield (40.4 vs. 43.4 kg/d; P=0.01), and thereby, both milk fat (0.91 vs. 1.26 kg/d; P<0.001) and protein (1.23 vs. 1.33 kg/d; P=0.007) production. However, feed efficiency (milk yield/DMI) was greater in fish oil compared to soybean oil supplemented diets (1.94 vs. 1.80; P=0.003). Results indicated that grain source and oil supplement can interact to affect feeding and chewing behavior, but not lactational performance of lactating cows.     

Effect of partly replacing cottonseed cake with Mucuna spp. (var. Ghana) hay on feed intake and digestibility, milk yield and milk composition of zebu cows

The effect of partly replacing cottonseed cake with Mucuna hay (Mucuna spp. var. Ghana) on feed intake, digestibility and milk production of dairy cows was studied using six Zebu cows randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a replicated Latin square design. All cows were fed hay from natural pastures ad libitum and 1.1 kg molasses as a basal diet, which was supplemented with: (1) 2 kg cottonseed cake (control diet), (2) 1.5 kg cottonseed cake and 1.2 kg Mucuna hay (low Mucuna, LM), and (3) 1.0 kg cottonseed cake and 3.3 kg Mucuna hay (high Mucuna, HM). Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake were similar for all the diets. The addition of Mucuna significantly increased DM and organic matter digestibility, whereas CP, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre digestibility were similar among the diets. The treatments had no effect on daily milk yield (3.38, 3.43 and 3.38 kg milk) or milk composition (41.1, 43.7 and 42.7 g fat/kg milk; 35.1, 36.4 and 35.9 g protein/kg milk; and 46.1, 45.8 and 45.3 g lactose/kg milk, respectively, for cows fed control, LM and HM diets). The treatments had no significant effect on live weight changes. The results showed that replacing 50% of the cottonseed cake with Mucuna hay had no negative effects on feed intake and digestibility, milk yield or milk composition.     

Milk yield and quality in Guernsey cows fed cottonseed cake-based diets partially substituted with baobab (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Adansonia digitata</Emphasis> L.) seed cake

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of partially substituting cottonseed cake with graded levels of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed cake (BSC) on milk yield and quality in Guernsey cows. Sixteen cows in mid-lactation and in their third parity were allocated to diets containing 0% (control), 5%, 10%, and 15% BSC in a completely randomized design. Each cow was given a daily feed ration of 6 kg and a basal diet of soya bean stover ad libitum. There were no differences in daily feed intake (P > 0.05), but basal intake differed among all treatment groups with cows on the control diet having the highest intake (30 ± 0.34 kg/day). Mean daily milk yield differed (P < 0.05) among all treatment groups. However, the control had higher milk yield of 12.1 ± 0.73 kg/day, and the 15% BSC had the least yield of 7.46 ± 0.73 kg/day. Cows on the control diet had higher milk butterfat content (6.12%; P < 0.05) than those on the BSC-based diets. Protein content differed (P < 0.05) across all treatment groups with cows on 15% BSC producing the highest protein content (3.43%) while the control had the least (2.6%). The concentration of milk total solids for cows fed on 15% BSC was higher (P < 0.05) than that from cows on other diets. Lactose content was not affected by the diets (P > 0.05). These results indicate that BSC can substitute soya bean cake in dairy diets, but milk production and butterfat content are compromised.     

饲粮粗蛋白质水平对中国荷斯坦奶牛产奶性能、氮利用及血液激素的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮粗蛋白质（ＣＰ）水平对中国荷斯坦奶牛产奶性能、氮利用及血液激素的影响。采用重复 ４×４拉丁方设计,８头经产中国荷斯坦奶牛随机分为 ４个处理。４个处理的饲粮 ＣＰ水平分别为 １２．５６％、１３．９６％、１５．５３％和 １６．９３％。试验分为 ４个周期,每个周期１８ｄ。在 ４ｄ收集期内,全量收集粪、尿,每天测量产奶量、乳成分和干物质摄入量（ＤＭＩ）,并在收集期最后 １ｄ采集血样。结果表明：４个饲粮处理的 ＤＭＩ基本相同（Ｐ＞０．０５）;饲粮 ＣＰ水平１２．５６％的产奶量和能量校正奶（ＥＣＭ）明显低于饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １３．９６％至 １６．９３％（Ｐ＜０．０５）,饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １３．９６％至 １６．９３％的产奶量和 ＥＣＭ 基本相同,其中饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １３．９６％和１６．９３％的产奶量分别为２８．１８和２８．７２ｋｇ／ｄ,ＥＣＭ分别为３２．６４和３２．０４ｋｇ／ｄ;乳成分中仅乳蛋白率随着饲粮 ＣＰ水平增加而提高（Ｐ＜０．０５）;饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １２．５６％和 １３．９６％的乳氮效率明显高于饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １５．５３％和 １６．９３％（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）;随着饲粮 ＣＰ水平的提高,尿氮排出量不断增加,乳氮排出量也缓慢上涨,体内氮沉积显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５或 Ｐ＜０．０１）,只有饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １６．９３％的粪氮排出量明显增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）;饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １２．５６％的血液瘦素浓度最高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,催乳素（ＰＲＬ）、生长激素（ＧＨ）、胰岛素样生长因子 １（ＩＧＦ １）、血糖、非酯化脂肪酸（ＮＥＦＡ）和 β－羟丁酸（ＢＨＢＡ）浓度较高;而饲粮 ＣＰ水平 １６．９３％的血浆尿素氮（ＰＵＮ）浓度最高（Ｐ＜０．０１）,胰岛素和 ＧＨ浓度较高,ＩＧＦ １浓度较低。由此可见,饲粮 ＣＰ水平１３．９６％适合中国荷斯坦奶牛产奶量２８ｋｇ／ｄ或 ＥＣＭ３２ｋｇ／ｄ的泌乳性能、氮利用和内分泌调节。     

Effect of tannins and saponins in Samanea saman on rumen environment,milk yield and milk composition in lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tannins and saponins in Samanea saman on rumen fermentation, milk yield and milk composition in lactating dairy cows. Four multiparous early‐lactating dairy cows (Holstein‐Friesian cross‐bred, 75%) with an initial body weight (BW) of 405 ± 40 kg and 36 ± 8 day in milk were randomly assigned to receive dietary treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The four dietary treatments were unsupplemented (control), supplemented with rain tree pod (S. saman) meal (RPM) at 60 g/kg, supplemented with palm oil (PO) at 20 g/kg, and supplemented with RPM at 60 g/kg and PO at 20 g/kg (RPO), of total dry matter (DM) intake. Cows were fed with concentrate diets at a ratio of concentrate to milk yield of 1:2, and chopped 30 g/kg of urea‐treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. The RPM contained condensed tannins and crude saponins at 88 and 141 g/kg of DM respectively. It was found that s upplementation with RPM and/or PO to dairy cows diets did not show negative effect on ruminal pH, blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen concentration (p > 0.05). However, supplementation with RPM resulted in lower ammonia nitrogen (NH₃‐N) concentration (p < 0.05). In addition, propionic acid and milk production increased while acetic acid, acetic to propionic ratio, methane production, methanogens and protozoal population decreased with RPM and/or PO supplementation. Furthermore, addition of PO and RPO in the diets increased milk fat while supplementation of RPM resulted in greater milk protein and Fibrobacter succinogenes numbers (p < 0.05). The population of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus were not affected by any treatments. The findings on the present study showed that supplementation with RPM and RPO to diets of cows improved the rumen environment and increased milk yield, content of milk protein and milk fat.     

Effect of monensin and vitamin E on milk production and composition of lactating dairy cows

Feeding unsaturated oils to lactating dairy cows impair ruminal biohydrogenation (BH) of unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) and increase ruminal outflow of BH intermediates such as trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA that are considered to be potent inhibitors of milk fat synthesis. Supplementing lactating dairy cow’s rations containing plant origin oils with monensin and/or vitamin E may minimise the formation of trans‐10 isomers in the rumen, thereby preventing milk fat depression. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of monensin and vitamin E supplementation in the diets of lactating dairy cows containing whole cottonseed, as the main source of FA on feed intake, milk production and composition, milk fatty acid profile, efficiency of nitrogen (N) utilisation, efficiency of net energy (NE) utilisation and nutrients digestibilities. Four multiparous Holstein lactating dairy cows (86 ± 41 days in milk) were assigned to a balanced 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 21 days with a 14 days of treatment adaptation and a 7 days of data collection. The control diet was a total mixed ration (TMR) consisted of 430 g/kg forage and 570 g/kg of a concentrate mixture on dry matter (DM) basis. Cows were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments including control diet (C), control diet supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin E/kg of DM (E), control diet supplemented with 24 mg of monensin/kg of DM (M) and control diet supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin E and 24 mg of monensin/kg of DM (EM). Dry matter intake (DMI) ranged from 19.1 to 19.5 kg/d and was similar among the dietary treatments. Dietary supplementation with vitamin E or monensin had no effect on milk production, milk fat, protein and lactose concentrations, efficiency of utilisation of nitrogen and net energy for lactation (NE_L). Digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) was not affected by the dietary treatments. Digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) was higher in cows fed with the M and EM diets in relation to those fed the C and E diets. The concentrations of C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, trans‐10‐16:1, cis‐9‐16:1, 17:0, 18:0, trans‐11‐18:1, cis‐9‐18:1, cis‐9, trans‐11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), trans‐10, cis‐12 CLA, and 18:3n‐3 FA in milk fat were not affected by the dietary supplementations. While feeding the M diet tended to decrease milk fat concentration of C16:0, the milk fat concentration of C18:2n‐6 FA tended to be increased. Dietary supplementation with vitamin E or monensin had no effect on milk fat concentrations of saturated, unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, short chain and long chain FA, but feeding the M diet numerically decreased milk fat concentration of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). The results showed that vitamin E and/or monensin supplementations did not improve milk fat content and did not minimise the formation of trans‐10 FA isomers in the rumen when whole cottonseed was included in the diet as the main source of fatty acids.     

Mesquite pod meal as an additive increases milk total solids,lactose, fat and protein content in dairy cows

The objective was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition of cows fed mesquite pod meal (MPM). Five crossbred dairy cows, with an average body weight of 450?±?5 kg and producing 10?±?1 kg of milk/day were distributed in a 5?×?5 Latin square arrangement with five periods of 20 days each, comprised of 15 days for adaptation to the experimental diets (T1?=?0%, T2?=?1.5%, T3?=?3.0%, T4?=?4.5% and T5?=?6.0% MPM) and 5 days for data collection. Variables were assessed by analysis of variance and regression at P?<?0.01 and P?<?0.05 of significance, using the Student’s test. Animals were kept on pastures and the concentrates were provided at 6 kg/animal divided in two meals per day. The inclusion of 3.0% mesquite pod meal did not affect the intake, digestibility of nutrients and milk yield, but it changed milk composition. The dietary inclusion of 3.0% mesquite pod meal as a palatability enhancer increases the percentage of milk solids, lactose, fat and protein. Therefore, mesquite pod meal can be included in diets for dairy cows to improve the nutritive value of milk.

     

Effect of mixed maize-legume silages on milk quality and quantity from lactating smallholder dairy cows

The study investigated the effect of the following maize:legume (70:30) mixed crop silages: maize:cowpea, maize:velvet bean, and maize:lablab on milk production during the 2016 dry season. Using a 5?×?5 double Latin square design, five Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows in early lactation (30?±?15 days) and five Jersey crossbred cows in early lactation (25?±?10 days) were given the supplementary mixed crop silage diets at 0.5 kg/l of milk produced over 105 days. Commercial dairy meal and sole maize silage were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Milk yield was significantly higher (P?< 0.05) in cows given the dairy meal compared to mixed crop silages; however, milk yield was also significantly higher (P?< 0.05) for cows given the three mixed crop silages compared to cows given sole maize silage. Cows given mixed crop silages produced milk of significantly higher protein content (P?< 0.05) than those given sole maize silage. There was no significant difference (P?> 0.05) in butterfat content of milk across all the dietary treatments. The dietary cost of producing 1 l of milk was highest at 0.31USD/l for cows given commercial dairy meal and lowest for cows given maize:velvet bean and maize:cowpea silage at 0.19USD/kg. The highest dietary gross margins of 68% were observed when cows were given maize:velvet mixed silage compared to commercial dairy meal (47%) and sole maize silage (57%). The 70:30 maize:legume mixed crop silages showed the capability to increase milk quantity and quality at very low production costs in smallholder dairy schemes.     

Effect of brewer's grain on rumen fermentation, milk production and milk composition in lactating dairy cows

Six lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups (n = 3) and used in a double reversal trial with three periods of 14 days each to evaluate the rumen fermentation, milk production and milk composition of cows fed brewer's grain (BG). The control diets contained 14% chopped Sudangrass hay, 24% corn silage, 18% alfalfa hay cube, 34% concentrate mixture‐1 and 10% concentrate mixture‐2 (wheat bran, soybean meal and cottonseed). In the experimental diet, wet BG replaced the concentrate mixture‐2. The protozoal population, concentration of ammonia‐N and volatile fatty acids in the ruminal fluid did not differ between the control and BG diets. The molar percentage of acetic acid was significantly higher (P < 0.05) with the BG diet at 5 h after feeding. The milk yield, the percentage of protein, lactose, solids not‐fat and somatic cell counts of milk did not differ between the two diets. The percentage of milk fat tended to increase with the BG diet. The BG diet significantly increased the proportions of C18:0 and C18:1 in milk fat (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively) and tended to increase that of conjugated linoleic acid.