Amino acid profiles of rumen undegradable protein: a comparison between forages including cereal straws and alfalfa and their respective total mixed rations

Optimizing the amino acid (AA) profile of rumen undegradable protein (RUP) can positively affect the amount of milk protein. This study was conducted to improve knowledge regarding the AA profile of rumen undegradable protein from corn stover, rice straw and alfalfa hay as well as the total mixed ratio diets (TMR) based on one of them as forage source [forage‐to‐concentrate ratio of 45:55 (30% of corn stover (CS), 30% of rice straw (RS), 23% of alfalfa hay (AH) and dry matter basis)]. The other ingredients in the three TMR diets were similar. The RUP of all the forages and diets was estimated by incubation for 16 hr in the rumen of three ruminally cannulated lactating cows. All residues were corrected for microbial colonization, which was necessary in determining the AA composition of RUP from feed samples using in situ method. Compared with their original AA composition, the AA pattern of forages and forage‐based diets changed drastically after rumen exposure. In addition, the extent of ruminal degradation of analysed AA was not constant among the forages. The greatest individual AA degradability of alfalfa hay and corn stover was Pro, but was His of rice straw. A remarkable difference was observed between microbial attachment corrected and uncorrected AA profiles of RUP, except for alfalfa hay and His in the three forages and TMR diets. The ruminal AA degradability of cereal straws was altered compared with alfalfa hay but not for the TMR diets. In summary, the AA composition of forages and TMR‐based diets changed significantly after ruminal exposure, indicating that the original AA profiles of the feed cannot represent its AA composition of RUP. The AA profile of RUP and ruminal AA degradability for corn stover and rice straw contributed to missing information in the field.     

Metabolic and productive response to ruminal protein degradability in early lactation cows fed untreated or xylose‐treated soybean meal‐based diets

Effects of different dietary rumen undegradable (RUP) to degradable (RDP) protein ratios on ruminal nutrient degradation, feed intake, blood metabolites and milk production were determined in early lactation cows. Four multiparous (43 ± 5 days in milk) and four primiparous (40 ± 6 days in milk) tie‐stall‐housed Holstein cows were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21‐day periods. Each period had 14‐day of adaptation and 7‐day of sampling. Diets contained on a dry matter (DM) basis, 23.3% alfalfa hay, 20% corn silage and 56.7% concentrate. Cows were first offered alfalfa hay at 7:00, 15:00 and 23:00 hours, and 30 min after each alfalfa hay delivery were offered a mixture of corn silage and concentrate. Treatments were diets with RUP:RDP ratios of (i) 5.2:11.6 (control), (ii) 6.1:10.6, (iii) 7.1:9.5 and (iv) 8.1:8.5, on a dietary DM% basis. Different RUP:RDP ratios were obtained by partial and total replacement of untreated soybean meal (SBM) with xylose‐treated SBM (XSBM). In situ study using three rumen‐cannulated non‐lactating cows showed that DM and crude protein (CP) of SBM had greater rapidly degradable fractions. The potentially degradable fractions were degraded more slowly in XSBM. Treatment cows produced greater milk, protein, lactose, solids‐non‐fat and total solids than control cows. Increasing RUP:RDP reduced blood urea linearly. Feed costs dropped at RUP:RDP ratios of 6.1:10.6 and 7.1:9.5, but not at 8.1:8.5, compared with the 5.2:11.6 ratio. Intake of DM and CP, rumen pH, blood glucose, albumin and total protein, faecal and urine pH, changes in body weight and body condition score, and milk lactose and solids‐non‐fat percentages did not differ among treatments. Results provide evidence that increasing dietary RUP:RDP ratio from 5.2:11.6 to 7.1:9.5 optimizes nitrogen metabolism and milk production and reduces feed costs in early lactation cows. Reduced blood urea suggests reprodutive benefits.     

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.     

Effects of the inclusion of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in the diet of dairy cows on milk yield and forage degradation and fermentation patterns in the rumen of steers

The effects of including yeast culture (YC; Saccharomyces cerevisae plus growth medium; 5 x 10(9) organisms/g) in diets for ruminants was examined in two experiments. In Exp. 1, 32 multiparous Friesian dairy cows were fed between wk 7 to 12 of lactation one of four completely mixed diets based on either hay or straw plus rolled barley (mixed to give concentrate:forage ratios of either 50:50 or 60:40, respectively) with or without 10 g YC/d in a 2(3) factorial design. Supplementation with YC increased DM intake of the cows by a mean of 1.2 kg/d (P less than or equal to .062) and increased milk yield by 1.4 liters/d (corrected to 4% butterfat; P less than or equal to .05). There was an interaction (P less than .05) between diet composition and YC addition; effects of YC were greatest in diets containing 60:40 (concentrate:forage) ratio. In Exp. 2, three steers were fed a diet of 50% hay and 50% rolled barley (DM basis). Hay was available for the major part of the day but barley was fed in two meals/d. Addition of YC to the diet increased (P less than .05) ruminal pH for 4 h after the barley meal. This elevation in pH probably was due to a reduction (P less than or equal to .01) in the concentration of L-lactate in the ruminal liquor of steers given YC (1.43 vs 3.55 mM; P less than or equal to .01). Peak ruminal L-lactate concentration (7.75 mM) in the controls coincided with time of minimum pH values (2 h after the meal of barley); this peak was absent in steers given YC. YC had no effect on the concentration of VFA in ruminal liquor, but the ratio of acetate to propionate was reduced (P less than or equal to .01) from 3.3:1 to 2.8:1 in steers given YC. The extent of DM degradation of hay incubated in the rumen of steers fed the hay and rolled barley diet was increased (P less than .05) in the presence of YC at 12 h of incubation, but degradation was similar in all treatment groups after 24 h of incubation. Presence of yeast culture in the rumen had effects on ruminal stoichiometry. An increased rate of forage degradation may have increased forage intake and productivity of these dairy cows.     

Effect of dietary crude protein level and degradability on ruminal fermentation and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effects of two ruminally degradable protein (RDP) levels in diets containing similar ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) and metabolizable protein (MP) concentrations on ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and transfer of ruminal ammonia N into milk protein in dairy cows. Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows were allocated to two dietary treatments in a crossover design. The diets (adequate RDP [ARDP] and high RDP [HRDP]), had similar concentrations of RUP and MP, but differed in CP/RDP content. Ruminal ammonia was labeled with 15N and secretion of tracer in milk protein was determined for a period of 120 h. Ammonia concentration in the rumen tended to be greater (P = 0.06) with HRDP than with ARDP. Microbial N flow to the duodenum, ruminal digestibility of dietary nutrients, DMI, milk yield, fat content, and protein content and yield were not statistically different between diets. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for increased urinary N excretion, and blood plasma and milk urea N concentrations were greater (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively) with HRDP compared with ARDP. Milk N efficiency was decreased (P = 0.01) by the HRDP diet. The cumulative secretion of ammonia 15N into milk protein, as a proportion of 15N dosed intraruminally, was greater (P = 0.003) with ARDP than with HRDP. The proportions of bacterial protein originating from ammonia N and milk protein originating from bacterial or ammonia N averaged 43, 61, and 26% and were not affected by diet. This experiment indicated that excess RDP in the diet of lactating dairy cows could not be efficiently utilized for microbial protein synthesis and was largely lost through urinary N excretion. At a similar MP supply, increased CP or RDP concentration of the diet would result in decreased efficiency of conversion of dietary N into milk protein and less efficient use of ruminal ammonia N for milk protein syntheses.     

Effects of diets containing alfalfa hay or barley flour mixed alfalfa silage on feeding behavior, productivity, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in lactating cows

The effects of barley flour on the fermentation parameters of alfalfa silage and on the productivity of dairy cows were investigated. Alfalfa forage was ensiled either with or without barley flour. Barley flour was soaked in water for 24 h before being mixed with alfalfa (12 kg: 100 kg dry matter bases) at ensiling. Eighteen multi-parous cows were assigned to three equal treatment groups using a completely randomized design. Three isocaloric and isonitrogenous total mixed rations containing alfalfa hay, ordinary alfalfa silage or barley flour mixed alfalfa silage were then prepared. The concentrations of ammonia nitrogen, acetic acid and butyric acid were lower in barley flour mixed alfalfa silage compared to that in ordinary alfalfa silage but the concentration of lactic acid was lower in the ordinary alfalfa silage. Feeding behavior, milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolites were measured. Although dry matter intake and milk production were not affected, the effect of preparation of alfalfa influenced feeding behavior and rumen fermentation parameters. Cows on alfalfa silage diets spent longer ruminating compared to those fed alfalfa hay. The ruminal ammonia nitrogen and blood urea were affected by ensiling (alfalfa hay versus alfalfa silages) while both parameters were lower in cows fed on barley flour mixed alfalfa silage than those fed on ordinary silage. Although similar blood glucose was recorded for cows fed on alfalfa silages, it was higher in cows fed on alfalfa hay. It is concluded that the addition of barely flour when making alfalfa silage may improve both the fermentation process during ensilage and the ruminal ammonia nitrogen utilization with no significant effects on productivity.     

Effects of maize grain and lucerne particle size on ruminal fermentation, digestibility and performance of cows in midlactation

This study evaluated the effects of, and interactions between, maize grain particle size (MPS) and lucerne particle size (LPS) on dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, ruminal fermentation, microbial yield, chewing activity and nutrient digestibility in midlactation cows. Four multiparous Holstein cows with ruminal cannulas were assigned randomly to a 4 x 4 Latin square design, averaged 595 kg (SD = 52) of body weight and 121 days in milk (SD = 21) at the start of the experiment. Experimental periods were 21 days in length (14 days of treatment adaptation and 7 days of data collection). All diets were fed as total mixed ration and were formulated to meet or exceed the requirements of a 600 kg multiparous cow producing 20 kg milk/day with 4.0% fat. The ratio of concentrate to forage was 39:61 (dry matter basis). Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; two levels of LPS (2.54 and 6.22 mm) were combined with concentrates based on either ground maize grain (711 mum) or cracked maize grain (1755 mum). Maize grain and LPS did not affect milk production and milk fat percentage. Milk protein percentage increased when MPS was decreased (p = 0.04). Milk urea nitrogen was lower for cows fed ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain (118-134 mg/l, p = 0.05). Estimated microbial N supply increased 41.9 g/day for ground maize grain compared with cracked maize grain. Cows fed long lucerne (LL) hay spent more time ruminating compared with cows fed short lucerne (SL) hay ranging from 293 to 336 min/day (p < 0.001). Total time spent chewing by cows increased from 505 to 574 min/day (p = 0.002) for SL and LL respectively. Based on the results from this study, midlactation cows can be fed diets that contain ground maize grain and SL hay without leading to negative effects on ruminal pH and nutrient digestibility.     

Diet-induced milk fat depression: Association with changes in milk fatty acid composition and fluidity of milk fat

This experiment was designed to examine changes in milk fatty acids during fish oil-induced milk fat depression (MFD) and to test the theory that these changes are related to milk fat fluidity. The experiment was divided into three periods: 1) Baseline: all cows (n = 12) received a high fiber diet without fish oil (FO) for 12 days; 2) Treatment: 4 cows/group received the following treatments for 21 days: a) Low fiber diet without FO (LF), b) High fiber diet + FO (HF + FO) and c) Low fiber diet + FO (LF + FO); 3) Post-treatment: cows returned to the baseline diet and were monitored for 12 days. FO was included at 1.6% DM and HF and LF diets had 40 and 26% NDF, respectively. Milk fat content and yield were unchanged by the LF diet, but were reduced by FO diets at both dietary fiber levels and recovered in the post-treatment period. FO diets caused a pronounced reduction in stearic and oleic acid concentrations in milk fat and an equally pronounced increase in trans-18:1 fatty acid concentrations. Milk fat mean melting point (MMP) was correlated with MFD (r = 0.73) and with milk oleic acid concentration (r = − 0.92). The ratio of oleic:stearic in milk fat increased gradually and consistently in response to FO. Trans-C18:1 isomers with double bounds at carbon ≤ 10 increased with greater MFD and those with double bonds at carbon ≥ 11 decreased with greater MFD. Trans-9 cis-11 CLA explained more than 80% of MFD and was strongly correlated with trans-10 C18:1. Maintenance of MMP below 39–40 °C suggests that the mammary gland was able to secrete only milk fat with adequate fluidity and that MFD could be an adaptation mechanism to prevent secretion of milk with higher MMP.     

Effects of physically effective fiber in diets based on rice straw and cassava pulp on chewing activity,ruminal fermentation,milk production,and digestibility in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) in rice straw and cassava pulp diets on the chewing activity, ruminal fermentation, milk production, and digestibility in low‐producing dairy cows. Eight lactating Holstein crossbred cows were randomly divided into two groups in a crossover design with two dietary treatments over two 21‐day periods. The difference in peNDF contents was achieved by balancing the ratio of rice straw, cassava pulp, and concentrate. The high cassava pulp diet had 15.5% peNDF and the low cassava pulp diet had 20.2% peNDF. The results showed that feeding the low cassava pulp diet increased the concentrations of milk protein, milk fat, solids‐not‐fat, and total solids in the milk. In contrast, the dry matter intake, milk yield, lactose content, chewing activity, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and pH were not affected by treatments.     

Effects of level of feeding and ruminally undegraded protein on ruminal bacterial protein synthesis, escape of dietary protein, intestinal amino acid profile, and performance of dairy cows.

Six cannulated lactating cows were used in two replicated, concurrently run 3 x 3 Latin square experiment to study the interaction between level of feeding and diets differing in ruminally undegraded protein (RUP) on bacterial protein synthesis, ruminal escape of dietary protein, and flow of total and individual amino acids (AA) to the small intestine. Treatments consisted of three diets formulated to contain 69 g (HL), 53 g (HH), and 48 g (LL) of RUP per kilogram of DM, respectively. Measurements were made in early lactation, at high feeding level (19.3 kg DM/d), and repeated at late lactation (9.8 kg DM/d, low feeding level) with the same animals and diets. Decreasing feed intake increased (P < .05) the apparent digestibility of OM, NDF, and ADF in the rumen and the total tract, decreased (P < .05) ruminal liquid and particulate passage rate and total ruminal VFA concentration, and increased ruminal pH and ammonia concentration. Decreased level of intake reduced the (P < .05) efficiency of bacterial N synthesis (28.1 vs 23.7 g bacterial N/kg OM truly digested in the rumen) and decreased (P < .05) ruminal protein degradation rate measured with an in situ method. Duodenal flow of nonammonia nitrogen (NAN), and total AA were highest (P < .05) for the HL diet and lowest (P < .05) for the LL diet at the high feeding level. However, at the low feeding level, diet composition did not affect the amount of NAN or total AA passing to the small intestine. Diet HL increased the proportion of Met, His (P < .05), and Arg (P < .07) in the duodenal digesta at both feeding levels. When purines were used to calculate bacterial N synthesis, no differences between diets were detected. However, when diaminopimelic acid was used, highest bacterial N synthesis was detected for diet HH at the high feeding level. Diet HL supported the highest (P < .05) milk protein production at the high feeding level, and the highest (P < .05) milk protein content at the low feeding level. In conclusion, level of feeding and amount of RUP altered the amount and composition of AA presented to the cows.     

Effects of source and level of dietary neutral detergent fiber on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, ruminal digestion in situ, and total tract digestion in beef cattle fed pelleted concentrates with or without supplemental roughage.

The effects of source and level of dietary NDF on intake, ruminal digestion in situ, ruminal fermentation, and total tract digestion were evaluated in Hereford steers using a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design. Diets contained 62 to 64% TDN and included 1) 80% control concentrate (contained pelleted ground grains) and 20% timothy hay (traditional diet), 2) 80% control concentrate and 20% alfalfa cubes, 3) 90% control concentrate and 10% cubes, 4) a completely pelleted diet using corn cobs as the primary NDF source, and 5) 80% textured (rolled instead of ground grains) concentrate and 20% hay. Dry matter intake differed (P less than .05) between the traditional and cube diets due to limited acceptance of alfalfa cubes. Increased (P less than .05) ruminal osmolality, total VFA, and NH3 N and lower (P less than .01) ruminal pH in steers fed corn cob and cube diets relative to steers fed the traditional diet were due to preferential consumption of concentrate over supplemental roughage and the resultant rapid fermentation of concentrates. Potentially degradable DM in the traditional diet exceeded (P less than .06) all other diets, resulting in the increased (P less than .10) extent of DM disappearance despite a slower (P less than .05) rate of DM disappearance. Rate of NDF disappearance and all in situ starch disappearance parameters were similar between the traditional, corn cob, and cube diets. All ruminal digestion parameters involving NDF disappearance were similar between hay diets and between cube diets, whereas rate and extent of starch disappearance differed (P less than .05) between hay diets. Although formulation of diets with different sources of dietary NDF did not affect total tract digestion of nutrients, nutrient availability and ruminal fermentation were altered due to dietary differences in sources of dietary NDF and preferential selection of feedstuffs by steers.     

Milk production performance of Friesian-Holstein cows fed diets containing Medicago sativa, Centrosema pubescens, or groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea)

To investigate the effect of feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay, centrosema hay, and groundnut haulms (crop residue) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, and milk composition, nine multiparous Friesian-Holstein cows in their mid-lactation stage were used in a 3?×?3 crossover design replicated three times. Dairy cows fed lucerne hay had significantly (p?<?0.001) higher DMI than dairy cows fed centrosema hay. DMI for cows fed groundnut haulms and lucerne hay was not significantly different. Daily milk yield for dairy cows fed diet containing lucerne hay was significantly (p?<?0.01) higher than that for dairy cows fed diets containing groundnut haulms or centrosema hay. Milk composition and body condition scores of the cows were not significantly affected by either lucerne hay, groundnut haulms, or centrosema hay. Overall, the results in this study indicated that feeding dairy cows diets containing lucerne hay increased milk yield.     

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.     

Effect of replacing corn with brown rice grain in a total mixed ration silage on milk production,ruminal fermentation and nitrogen balance in lactating dairy cows

Nine multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to determine the effects of substituting corn grain with brown rice (BR) grain in total mixed ration (TMR) silage on milk yield, ruminal fermentation and nitrogen (N) balance. The TMR silages were made from the ensiling of TMR containing (dry matter basis) 50.1% forage in rice silage and corn silage combination, and 49.9% concentrate. The grain portion of the diets contained 31.2% steam‐flaked corn, 31.2% steam‐flaked BR or an equal mixture of corn and BR. Dietary treatments did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat, protein and lactose yields. The ruminal pH and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment. The urinary N excretion decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in response to increased levels of BR, with no dietary effect on N intake, N secretion in milk and fecal N excretion. Our results indicate that steam‐flaked BR is a suitable replacement for steam‐flaked corn in dairy cow diets, and that it can be included in rations to a level of at least 31.2% of dry matter without adverse effects on milk production, when cows were fed rice silage and corn silage‐based diets.     

燕麦干草与全株玉米青贮不同组合对绵羊瘤胃发酵的影响

本试验旨在明确燕麦干草与全株玉米青贮按不同比例组合对绵羊瘤胃发酵的影响。选用9头体重为(70.24±2.03)kg、体况相似且装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的杂种(美利奴×蒙古羊♀)公羊作为试验动物,按过渡期称重结果分成3组,每组3只。按燕麦干草和全株玉米青贮占粗饲料比例(干物质基础)将饲粮分为A1(100%全株玉米青贮)、A2(50%全株玉米青贮+50%燕麦干草)和A3(100%燕麦干草)3种,3种饲粮精粗比均为35∶65。采用3×3拉丁方设计,进行3期试验,每期22 d(预试期15 d,正试期7 d),正试期最后3 d采样。结果显示:1)与100%全株玉米青贮相比,以50%全株玉米青贮+50%燕麦干草或100%燕麦干草为粗饲料对绵羊瘤胃液p H和总氮浓度平均值没有产生显著影响(P0.05),但显著降低了瘤胃液氨态氮(NH3-N)、尿素氮和血浆尿素氮浓度平均值(P0.05),同时以50%全株玉米青贮+50%燕麦干草为粗饲料还显著提高了瘤胃液蛋白氮浓度平均值(P0.05)。此外,A2组的瘤胃液p H和总氮浓度平均值稍高于A3组,瘤胃液蛋白氮浓度平均值较A3组增加了8.97%,瘤胃液和血浆尿素氮浓度平均值稍低于A3组,但差异均不显著(P0.05),而瘤胃液NH3-N浓度平均值则显著低于A3组(P0.05)。2)粗饲料中燕麦干草的加入并未显著改变绵羊瘤胃液总挥发性脂肪酸浓度和丙酸摩尔比平均值(P0.05),升高了瘤胃液乙酸、丁酸摩尔比以及乙酸/丙酸平均值,且A3组与A1组差异显著(P0.05)。由此可知,在精料相同、精粗比为35∶65的条件下,用50%全贮玉米青贮和50%燕麦干草混合作为粗饲料可以改善绵羊的瘤胃内环境而适宜瘤胃微生物生长,提高瘤胃微生物活性及其对氨(NH3)的利用率,有助于微生物蛋白的合成,升高瘤胃乙酸的摩尔比及乙酸/丙酸。     

热应激条件下粗饲料组合对奶牛氮素利用的影响

为了研究粗饲料组合对热应激奶牛氮素利用的影响,试验选取20头胎次和泌乳天数相似的健康荷斯坦奶牛,随机分成2组,每组10头,分别饲喂2种粗饲料组合饲粮:玉米青贮+苜蓿(0.92∶1.00,AF组)和玉米秸秆(CS组)。2组饲粮精料相同,精粗比均为63.7∶36.3。预试期1周,正试期8周。结果表明:1)与CS组相比,AF组奶牛产奶量及能量校正乳、4%脂肪校正乳、乳蛋白和乳糖产量显著或极显著升高(P0.01或P0.05)。2)奶牛对AF组饲粮粗蛋白质表观消化率极显著高于CS组(P0.01)。3)与CS组相比,AF组瘤胃微生物蛋白产量显著升高(P0.05),而尿液和血液尿素氮浓度极显著降低(P0.01)。4)与CS组相比,AF组氮摄入量和乳中氮产量极显著升高(P0.01),但氮转化效率显著降低(P0.05)。结果提示,与玉米秸秆相比,玉米青贮+苜蓿的组合能提高饲粮粗蛋白质水平,增加热应激奶牛粗蛋白质表观消化率,促进瘤胃微生物蛋白和乳蛋白的合成,但氮的转化效率有待提高。     

Effect of feeding different levels of foliage of Moringa oleifera to creole dairy cows on intake, digestibility, milk production and composition

An experiment was conducted in Nicaragua to determine the effect of feeding different levels of foliage from Moringa oleifera Lam (synonym: Moringa pterygosperma Gaertner) to dairy cows on intake, digestibility, milk production and milk composition. The treatments were: Brachiaria brizantha hay ad libitum, either unsupplemented or supplemented with 2 kg or 3 kg of Moringa on a dry matter (DM) basis. Six Bos indicus cows of the Creole Reyna breed, with a mean body weight of 394 ± 24 kg were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. Supplementation with Moringa increased (P < 0.05) DM intake from 8.5 to 10.2 and 11.0 kg DM day^− 1 and milk production from 3.1 to 4.9 and 5.1 kg day^− 1 for B. brizantha hay only and supplementation with 2 kg and 3 kg DM of Moringa, respectively. Milk fat, total solids and crude protein and organoleptic characteristics, smell, taste and colour, were not significantly different between the diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF increased (P < 0.05) in the diets supplemented with Moringa compared with B. brizantha hay alone. The results showed that the inclusion of Moringa as a protein supplement to low quality diets improved DM intake and digestibility of the diet and increased milk production but did not affect milk composition.     

Digestion in steers and lactational performance of Jersey cows fed diets varying in natural protein level continuously or on alternate days

Five crossbred beef steers (515 kg) were used in a Latin square experiment and 36 lactating Jersey cows (12 primiparous, 310 kg; 24 multiparous, 365 kg) were used in a completely randomized design study to determine effects on characteristics of digestion and lactational performance of daily alternation of the dietary level of natural protein (NP). In Experiment 1, steers were fed diets of 50% bermudagrass hay and 50% concentrate. Concentrate was approximately 18% crude protein (CP), formulated to be 60, 80 or 100% NP (varying proportions of soybean meal, urea and ground corn), and was fed at 1.5% body weight (dry matter basis). These concentrates were fed daily or ones with 60 and 100% NP were fed on alternate days. Alternate day feeding did not markedly affect characteristics of digestion, including ruminal escape of feed protein, and NP level of concentrate fed continuously had no effects either. In Experiment 2, cows were subjected to treatments similar to those in Experiment 1, and performance on d 20-40 of lactation was measured. Concentrate was given at 1 kg (as fed)/2.15 kg milk produced, yielding a dietary concentrate level of approximately 40% (dry matter basis). Alternate feeding depressed (P less than 0.05) overall milk fat percentage. Alternate feeding increased production of milk and protein and body weight of primiparous cows but caused little change with multiparous cows. Besides increasing the dietary level of concentrate, perhaps alternate feeding regimes have utility to lower milk fat level without impairing milk production. Level of NP in concentrate fed continuously did not affect performance by multiparous cows though primiparous cow performance was generally enhanced, possibly because CP intake was adequate for multiparous cows but marginal for primiparous cows. However, overall, efficiency of production of solids-corrected milk rose slightly with increasing NP.     

Effect of supplemental niacin or niacinamide and soybean source on ruminal bacterial fermentation in continuous culture

Effects of niacin or niacinamide in diets containing either soybean meal, raw whole soybeans or whole soybeans extruded at 132 and 149 C on ruminal bacterial fermentation were examined with a dual-flow continuous culture system. In Exp. 1, soybean sources each provided 50% of total crude protein in diets comprised of 52% concentrate mix, 36% corn silage and 12% alfalfa hay (dry-matter basis). Each diet was supplemented with 0 or 100 mg/kg niacin. Niacin supplementation increased (P less than .05) total nonstructural carbohydrate digestibility and lowered (P less than .05) butyrate concentration. There was also an increase (P less than .10) in amino acid effluent flow from 8,413.3 to 8,665.3 mg/d with addition of niacin to the diet. In Exp. 2, diets were supplemented with 0 or 100 mg/kg of niacin or niacinamide. The total mixed diet was comprised of 60% concentrate mix, 20% corn silage and 20% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis). Acid detergent fiber and cellulose digestibilities and total amino acid effluent flow were higher (P less than .10) with niacinamide supplementation. Niacin or niacinamide had no effect on dry matter and organic matter digestibilities, ammonia-N, total VFA concentration or crude protein degradation. Contrary to results found in other studies, niacin or niacinamide supplementation had no effect on bacterial protein synthesis.     

Reduced energy density of close‐up diets decrease ruminal pH and increase concentration of volatile fatty acids postpartum in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of reduced energy density of close‐up diets on ruminal fermentation parameters in transition cows. Fourteen Holstein dry cows were blocked and assigned randomly to three groups fed a high energy density diet (HD, 1.62 Mcal of net energy for lactation (NE_L)/kg dry matter (DM)), or a middle energy density diet (MD, 1.47 Mcal NE_L/kg DM), or a low energy density diet (LD, 1.30 Mcal NE_L/kg DM) prepartum, and were fed the same diet postpartum. The reduced energy density diets decreased the average dry matter intake (DMI) prepartum and tended to increase the DMI postpartum. The ruminal pH of the LD group was significantly higher prepartum and lower during the first week of lactation compared with the other two groups. The reduced energy density diet depressed the average ruminal concentration of propionate and butyrate prepartum, and increased the average concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) postpartum. The LD group had higher populations of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Ruminococcus flavefaciens relative to HD and MD groups on 7 days in milk. In conclusion, the cows fed reduced energy density diet prepartum had higher VFA concentration, but were more susceptible to subacute ruminal acidosis postpartum.