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.     

水稻秸整株青贮对荷斯坦奶牛生产性能的影响

采用单因素试验设计，将30头健康的荷斯坦奶牛随机分为3组，水稻秸整株青贮分别以0、25％、50％（干物质基础）3个比例添加饲喂奶牛60d（预试验15d，正式试验45d）探讨水稻秸整株青贮对奶牛生产性能的影响。结果表明，水稻秸整株青贮可以代替一定比例的玉米青贮，并且对奶牛生产性能的影响差异不显著（P〉0．05）。同时水稻秸青贮添加量为25％（II组）和50％（Ⅲ组）的试验组每天每头奶牛的生产成本比玉米青贮的（I组）组生产成本降低了1．92元（人民币）和3．82元（人民币），相对应的收入每天每头牛增加了3．48元（人民币）和4．56元（人民币）。     

Effects of high-sugar ryegrass silage and mixtures with red clover silage on ruminant digestion. 2. Lipids

The experiment investigated the digestion of lipids from different forage silages in beef steers. Six Hereford x Friesian steers prepared with rumen and duodenal cannulas were given ad libitum access to a high-sugar grass silage, control grass silage, red clover silage, or mixtures of the red clover and each of the grass silages (50:50, DM basis). The experiment was conducted as an incomplete 5 x 5 Latin square, with an additional randomly repeated sequence. Total fatty acid and C18:3n-3 concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for the high-sugar grass silage than the control grass silage or the red clover silage. Dry matter and total fatty acid intake were less (P < 0.05) for steers fed the control grass silage than for steers fed the other diets. Duodenal flow of C18:3n-3 was greater (P < 0.05), and flows of C18:0 and total C18:1 trans were less (P < 0.05), for the red clover silage compared with the 2 grass silage diets, with the mixtures intermediate. These results were supported by a reduction (P < 0.05) in biohydrogenation of C18:3n-3 for the red clover silage, with the mixtures again being intermediate. Flows of total branched- and odd-chain fatty acids were greater (P < 0.05) for the high-sugar grass silage diet, possibly as a result of greater microbial flow, because these fatty acids are associated with bacterial lipid. Duodenal flows of the chlorophyll metabolite, phytanic acid, were greater (P < 0.05) for animals fed the high-sugar grass silage treatments compared with the other treatments. These results confirm the potential for modifying the fatty acid composition of ruminant products by feeding red clover silage.     

Utilization of glucose and long-chain fatty acids in lactating dairy cows fed a fat-enriched diet

The fate of carbon from long-chain fatty acids and glucose in dairy cows which were fed with protected fat was studied using stable isotope technique. The experiment was carried out on two groups of dairy cows (n=16 in each group) during the first 15 weeks of the lactation period. The cows were fed isoenergetic and isoproteinogenous diets based on corn silage. About 1.8 kg of tapioca starch in the diet of the starch group was substituted by about 0.7 kg of rumen protected fat (Ca salts of palm oil and soybean oil) in the diet of the fat group. The carbon atoms of dietary fat were naturally depleted in 13C as compared to carbon atoms of starch. Daily milk performance and lactose output were significantly (P < 0.05) higher among the cows fed with fat diet. In comparison to the starch group, the enrichment of milk fat with 13C was significantly lower, while that of breath CO2 was significantly higher in the fat group (P < 0.05). This means the fatty acids were incorporated into milk fat in preference to metabolic oxidation. Further studies showed that blood glucose is oxidized to a lower extent and is used for the synthesis of lactose to a higher proportion if the cows were fed with the fat diet. The glucose entry rate into the body glucose pool was not different between the diets. In conclusion, the dietary fatty acids perform a glucose sparing effect and improve the glucose supply for the mammary gland.     

花生秧与玉米青贮配比对奶牛生产性能、血液指标及氮素利用的影响

本试验旨在为合理利用花生秧及提高氮素利用率提供理论依据。选择产奶量一致、处于泌乳中期、体重相近、胎次相同的12头中产荷斯坦奶牛,分为3组,每组4个重复。根据3×3拉丁方试验设计,试验分3期进行,每期预饲15d,采样期6d。分别饲喂含有不同花生秧与玉米青贮配比的全混合日粮(TMR),3种TMR中花生秧与玉米青贮的干物质(DM)配比分别为1.0∶3.9(A组)、1.0∶1.2(B组)、1.0∶0.4(C组)。结果表明,1)花生秧与玉米青贮配比对中产荷斯坦奶牛的干物质采食量、生产性能及血液指标没有显著影响(P0.05);2)奶牛的各乳成分组成均没有显著性差异(P0.05),但随着花生秧比例的增加,牛奶体细胞数有降低的趋势,B组较A组的体细胞数下降了35.4%;3)随着日粮中花生秧添加比例的增加,经济效益有所提高;4)日粮B显著降低了粪氮占摄入氮的比例(P0.05)。花生秧与玉米青贮配比在1.0∶1.2时,奶牛氮素利用及经济效益效果最佳。     

Effect of anthocyanin‐rich corn silage on digestibility,milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows

Anthocyanin in purple corn (Zea mays L.) has been reported to show several functional and biological attributes, displaying antioxidant, antiobesity and antidiabetic effects in monogastric animals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding anthocyanin‐rich corn (Zea mays L., Choko C922) silage on digestibility, milk production and plasma enzyme activities in lactating dairy cows. The cows were fed diets based on the control corn or the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage (AR treatment) in a crossover design. The anthocyanin‐rich corn silage‐based diet had a lower starch content, nutrient digestibility and total digestible nutrients content when compared to the control diet. The milk yield, lactose and solids‐not‐fat contents in the AR‐treatment cows were lower than in the control cows. The feeding of the anthocyanin‐rich corn silage led to a reduction in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity and an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the plasma. These data suggest that the anthocyanin‐rich corn has a lowering effect on AST activity with concomitant enhancement of SOD activity in lactating dairy cows. However, a new variety of anthocyanin‐rich corn with good nutritional value is needed for practical use as a ruminant feed.     

Sorghum silage supplemented with crambe meal improves dry matter intake and milk production in crossbred Holstein cows

We studied the feed intake and milk production of Holstein × Zebu crossbred cows fed sorghum silage diets and concentrates, with and without the addition of crambe meal. Using a change-over design for a total of 120 days, eight cows were fed two diets (concentrates + silages with and without crambe meal) in four 30-day periods, with four replications (animals). The crambe meal diet increased (P < 0.05) the dry matter intake (DMI), crude protein intake (CPI), and non-fibrous carbohydrates intake (NFCI) as well as milk production (4.3%). No difference was noted (P > 0.05) for the milk composition between the treatments. Crambe meal as an additive in sorghum silage (100 g/kg in natural matter) showed a great potential for introduction in dairy farming as it substantially increases CP intake, does not reduce food intake, raises animal productivity, and does not affect milk composition.     

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.     

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) silage in dairy cow rations reduces ruminal biohydrogenation and increases transfer efficiencies of unsaturated fatty acids from feed to milk

The effects of replacing grass silage by sainfoin silage in a total mixed ration (TMR) based diet on fatty acid (FA) reticular inflow and milk FA profile of dairy cows was investigated. The experiment followed a crossover design with 2 dietary treatments. The control diet consisted of grass silage, corn silage, concentrate and linseed. In the sainfoin diet, half of the grass silage was replaced by a sainfoin silage. Six rumen cannulated lactating multiparous dairy cows with a metabolic body weight of 132.5 ± 3.6 kg BW^0.75, 214 ± 72 d in milk and an average milk production of 23.1 ± 2.8 kg/d were used in the experiment. Cows were paired based on parity and milk production. Within pairs, cows were randomly assigned to either the control diet or the sainfoin diet for 2 experimental periods (29 d per period). In each period, the first 21 d, cows were housed individually in tie-stalls for adaptation, then next 4 d cows were housed individually in climate-controlled respiration chambers to measure CH₄. During the last 4 d, cows were housed individually in tie stalls to measure milk FA profile and determine FA reticular inflow using the reticular sampling technique with Cr-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dihydrate (EDTA) and Yb-acetate used as digesta flow markers. Although the dietary C18:3n-3 intake was lower (P = 0.025) in the sainfoin diet group, the mono-unsaturated FA reticular inflow was greater (P = 0.042) in cows fed the sainfoin diet. The reticular inflow of trans-9, trans-12-C18:2 and cis-12, trans-10 C18:2 was greater (P ≤ 0.024) in the sainfoin diet group. The cows fed sainfoin diet had a lower (P ≤ 0.038) apparent ruminal biohydrogenation of cis-9-C18:1 and C18:3n-3, compared to the cows fed the control diet. The sainfoin diet group had greater (P ≤ 0.018) C18:3n-3 and cis-9, cis-12-C18:2 proportions in the milk FA profile compared to the control diet group. Transfer efficiencies from feed to milk of C18:2, C18:3n-3 and unsaturated FA were greater (P ≤ 0.0179) for the sainfoin diet. Based on the results, it could be concluded that replacing grass silage by sainfoin silage in dairy cow rations reduces ruminal C18:3n-3 biohydrogenation and improves milk FA profile.     

Dairy cows fed on tropical legume forages: effects on milk yield,nutrients use efficiency and profitability

Two trials with multiparous dairy cows were conducted. Experiment 1 tested the effects of increasing forage proportion in the diet (500, 600, and 700 g/kg DM) when a mixed sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and jackbean (Cannavalia ensiformis) silage was used as forage. Experiment 2 studied the substitution of sorghum silage and soybean meal by jackbean silage or fresh cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) forage in the diet. All diets were iso-energetic and iso-proteic. In each experiment, 30 cows were used and separated into three groups. In experiment 1, there were no differences in dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield (MY), or apparent total tract digestibility (aTTd) among the three diets, but milk fat content increased with increasing forage proportion, even though the similar neutral detergent fiber of all diets. Nitrogen use efficiency was highest in the diet containing 600 g forage/kg DM, and some evidence was observed for a better profitability with this forage proportion. In experiment 2, feeding legumes increased DMI despite no effects on aTTd. Milk yield increased in line with DMI, with a larger increase for the fresh cowpea. Nitrogen use efficiency and milk composition were not affected by the diets. The increased MY and lower feed costs increased the economic benefits when feeding legumes, particularly when feeding fresh cowpea. Feeding fresh cowpea or jackbean silage to dairy cows appears to be an alternative to soybean as protein source, ideally at a forage proportions of 600 g/kg DM, without altering milk yield and quality and increasing the farm profitability.     

Effect of ensiling and silage additives on fatty acid composition of ryegrass and corn experimental silages

Two experiments were conducted using laboratory mini-silos to study the effect of ensiling and silage additives on fatty acid (FA) composition, including minor or unusual FA, of ryegrass and corn silages. Ryegrass was ensiled for 12 wk with no additives, with the addition of a bacterial inoculant or formic acid. Corn was ensiled for 9 wk without additives, with the addition of a bacterial inoculant or calcium formate. Ensiling affected both total FA content and FA composition of ryegrass silages. Total FA concentration increased (P < 0.001) during ryegrass ensiling. The proportions (g/100 g of total FA) of the major unsaturated FA, 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6, were not affected (P > 0.05) by ensiling. However, their concentration (mg/g of DM) in silages was greater (P=0.017 and P=0.001, respectively) than in fresh ryegrass. Two 18:2 FA (trans-11,cis-15 and cis-9,cis-15) that were not originally present in the fresh ryegrass were detected in silages. Silage additives affected the FA composition of ryegrass silages, mostly by increasing the proportions of SFA, but not on total FA concentration. Ensiling did not affect (P=0.83) total FA content of corn silages; however, FA composition was affected, mostly by decreasing the proportions of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. Silage additives had no effect on corn silage FA composition. Exposing corn silages to air resulted in no oxidation of FA or reduction in total FA content or composition.     

Effect of processing flax in beef feedlot diets on performance, carcass characteristics, and trained sensory panel ratings

To assess the effects of flax addition and flax processing on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics, 128 yearling beef heifers (360 +/- 14 kg of initial BW) were blocked by weight and assigned randomly to feedlot diets that included no flax (control), whole flax (WHL), rolled flax (RLD; 1,300 microm), or ground flax (GRD; 700 microm). Heifers were fed a growth diet (31% corn, 30% corn silage, 18% barley malt pellets, 14% alfalfa, 4% linseed meal, and 3% supplement; DM basis) for 56 d, after which they were adapted to a finishing diet (79% corn, 7% corn silage, 7% alfalfa, 4.75% linseed meal, and 2.25% supplement; DM basis). In WHL, RLD, and GRD, flax replaced all linseed meal and partially replaced corn at 8% of diet DM. All diets provided 0.5 mg of melengestrol acetate, 2,000 IU of vitamin E, and 232 mg of monensin per heifer daily. Cattle were slaughtered by block after 96, 97, and 124 (2 blocks) d on feed. At 24 h postmortem, carcass data were collected, and a portion of the loin was removed, vacuum-packaged, and aged for 14 d. After aging, 2 steaks were removed from each loin for Warner-Bratzler shear force measurement, sensory panel evaluation, and fatty acid analysis (approximately 100 g of muscle was collected). Flax inclusion (WHL, RLD, and GRD vs. control) did not affect DMI (P = 0.79), fat thickness over the 12th rib (P = 0.32), or LM area (P = 0.23). Flax inclusion increased ADG (P = 0.006), G:F (P = 0.006), and USDA yield grade (P = 0.01). Flax processing (RLD and GRD vs. WHL) increased ADG (P = 0.05), G:F (P = 0.08), and apparent dietary NEm and NEg (P = 0.003). Muscle from heifers fed flax had greater phospholipid 18:3n-3 (P < 0.001), 20:5n-3 (P < 0.001), 22:5n-3 (P < 0.001), and 22:6n-3 (P = 0.02) fractions, and greater neutral lipid 18:3n-3 (P < 0.001). Feeding 8% flax to feedlot heifers increased gain and efficiency, and processing flax increased available energy and resulted in increased efficiency of gain. Feeding 8% flax also increased levels of n-3 fatty acids in fresh beef.     

Effects of length of cut and mechanical processing on utilization of corn silage harvested at the black line stage of maturity by lactating dairy cows

The effects of length of cut and mechanical processing on corn silage utilization by dairy cows were evaluated. Corn silage treatments were harvested at the black line stage of maturity and chopped at a theoretical length (TLC) of 9.5 mm without processing (Control) or at a TLC of 19 mm with processing at roller clearances of 1, 3, or 5 mm. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were assigned in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21‐day periods. Corn silage treatments were fed in diets containing 78.3% corn silage and 21.7% soybean meal (DM basis). Treatments had no significant effects on DMI, milk and 4% FCM production. The efficiency of converting DMI to FCM tended to be greater with processing at a roller clearance of 1 and 3 mm than at other clearances. Apparent total tract digestibility of starch tended to be lowest for cows fed control silage, and increased as roller clearance decreased. Ruminal ammonia concentrations in cows fed control silage were numerically higher than in cows fed proccesed silages. These results suggest that when corn silage is harvested at the black line of maturity, roller clearance should be 3 mm or less with a TLC of 19 mm.     

Inoculants for ensiling low-dry matter corn crop: a midlactation cow perspective

In many regions, optimum dry matter (DM) content of corn crop pre-ensilage cannot be ensured for management, agronomical and climatic reasons. Under such conditions, corn crops are harvested at low DM, and are easily exposed to unfavourable fermentation pathways and plant spoilage and wastage. Thus, it is a major question for dairy agriculturists whether certain microbial inoculants application to low-DM corn crop pre-ensilage affects silage quality and cow performance. The objective was to determine effects of adding microbial inoculants to low-DM corn crop at ensiling on silage quality, rumen fermentation and milk production of eight Holstein cows fed the treated silages. Whole corn plant was harvested at milk stage of maturity with 204 g DM/kg of fresh crop, cut to a theoretical particle length of 2 cm, filled in 60 t bunker silos, and treated layer by layer with either no inoculant (control), inoculant 'E' (100 000 cfu/g of fresh crop) containing mainly Lactobacillus plantarum, inoculant 'B' (100 000 cfu) containing mainly Pediococcus pentosanus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Propionibacter freudenreichii or a mixture of inoculants 'E' and 'B' (200,000 cfu). Inoculants were mixed with water and sprayed on thin layers of corn chops layer by layer followed by rolling to ensure proper oxygen outage and even microbial distribution throughout the plants. Eight multiparous lactating Holstein cows at 100 ± 20.5 days in milk were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 20-day periods including 14 days of adaptation and 6 days of sampling. Dietary treatments were mixed rations containing corn silages with or without the inoculants. The basal diet contained 32.9% corn silage, 14.3% alfalfa hay and 52.8% concentrate on a DM basis. Inoculants did not affect silage pH or content of DM, CP, lactate, acetate, ash and total volatile fatty acids (VFA). Applying 'B' to corn crop resulted in higher water soluble carbohydrates (47.7 g/kg vs 29.8 g/kg) and lower neutral detergent fibre (494.1 g/kg vs 464.0 g/kg) compared with control. The combined inoculants increased silage butyrate relative to other treatments. The mixture of 'E + B' and 'B' moderately decreased rumen pH, when compared to 'E'. The 'E + B' increased rumen VFA concentrations relative to 'E' and control silage. Dry matter intake increased when corn crop was ensiled with 'E' than with control and 'E + B', but this had little impact on milk production or its energy concentrations. Milk energy yield tended to decrease when 'B' but not 'E' was applied alone, compared with control and 'E + B'. The estimated proportion of the consumed energy secreted in milk increased when inoculants were applied together compared with when they were used separately. Results suggest positive effects of Lactobacillus plantarum containing inoculant on feed intake, some effects on corn silage water soluble carbohydrates, fibre and butyrate contents, rumen pH and VFA concentrations; but no significant effects on total tract nutrient digestibility or productivity of Holstein cows fed diets with 329 g corn silage/kg of diet DM.     

Utilization of Bt corn residues by grazing beef steers and Bt corn silage and grain by growing beef cattle and lactating dairy cows

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-11 transformation event in two parental corn hybrids differing in date of maturity on beef and dairy cattle performance. Sixteen lactating Holstein dairy cows in replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares were assigned to four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: Bt vs non-Bt trait and early- vs late-maturing corn hybrids. The diets contained 40% of the test corn silage plus 28% corn grain from the same corn hybrid (DM basis). There was no effect of the Bt trait on efficiency of milk production, ruminal pH, acetate:propionate ratio, or in situ digestion kinetics of NDF. The early-maturing corn hybrids resulted in greater total VFA concentrations in the rumen and efficiency of 4% fat-corrected milk production than the later-maturing hybrids (P < 0.05). Sixty-seven steer calves were used in a 70-d corn residue grazing trial for the late-maturing corn hybrids only. Daily BW gain of steers was similar for those grazing Bt and non-Bt corn residues, and the steers exhibited no grazing preference between Bt and non-Bt corn residue. One hundred twenty-eight steer calves were assigned to four silage-based growing diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: Bt vs non-Bt trait and early- vs late-maturing corn hybrids. The diets contained 90% corn silage and 10% supplement (DM basis). The DMI was higher for steers fed Bt compared with non-Bt hybrids (P < 0.02). An interaction (P < 0.03) was observed for feed efficiency between hybrid genotype and incorporation of the Bt trait. Feed efficiency was greater (P < 0.05) for steers fed the later-maturing non-Bt hybrid compared with the later-maturing Bt hybrid; however, feed efficiency was similar between steers fed early-maturing Bt and non-Bt corn silages. Steers fed the early-maturing hybrid gained 11% faster and were 7% more efficient compared with those fed the late-maturing hybrid. These latter results agree with the dairy experiment in which the early-maturing hybrid resulted in 5% greater efficiency of milk production than the later-maturing corn hybrid. In all experiments, incorporation of the Bt trait into corn had no consistent effect on cattle performance. In addition, background genetics of the corn hybrids appeared to have a more consistent impact on performance than did presence of the Bt trait.     

Effects of Forage Species on Milk Protein Production by Lactating Dairy Cows

Eighteen multiparous early lactation Holstein cows were assigned to a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square with 28-d periods to evaluate milk protein production potential when corn silage (CS) or small grain silage (SGS) was added to diets based on alfalfa silage (AS). Treatments consisted of all AS, a mixture of AS and CS, or a mixture of AS and SGS. Treatment diets were isonitrogenous, isofibrous, and contained maximal amounts of carbohydrates to challenge the milk protein production of cows under intensive milk production systems fed these forages. Lactation performance, milk composition, nutrient intakes, and diet digestibilities were measured. There were no significant differences in milk yield of the cows fed diets containing AS, CS, or SGS. Cows fed diets containing all AS-produced milk with a higher fat percentage than did cows fed CS, and cows fed diets containing all AS produced more milk fat and protein than cows fed CS or SGS. There were no significant differences in the percentage of casein, whey protein, or true protein in milk when cows were fed AS, CS, or SGS. There were also no significant differences in the percentage or production of lactose or solids-not-fat when cows were fed diets containing different silages. Similarly, there were no significant differences in DMI or dietary DM digestibility by cows when fed diets containing different silages. Data suggest that adding CS or SGS to AS-based diets does not improve DMI, lactation performance, or milk protein production of lactating cows.     

Influence of replacing corn silage with barley silage in the diets of buffalo cows on milk yield and quality

A 150-day trial was carried out on 40 Italian Mediterranean buffalo cows that, immediately after calving, were equally divided into two homogeneous groups (M and O) based on the number of calving events and previous milk yield. The animals were fed (16 kg dry matter (DM)/head) two isoenergy/isoprotein diets (NEl: 6.39 MJ/kg DM; 15.4 CP% DM), composed of corn (diet M) or barley silage (diet O) concentrate, alfalfa hay, and a vitamin-mineral supplement. The fermentation characteristics of both silage diets were evaluated by an in vitro gas production technique, and their nutritional values were calculated as follows: NEl (MJ/kg DM) = 0.54 + 0.0959 GP + 0.0038 CP + 0.0001733 CP², where GP is the gas production after 24 h of incubation (ml/200 mg DM) and CP is the protein content of silage (g/kg DM). The nutritional values of the silages were slightly different (4.16 vs. 4.14 MJ/kg DM for M and O, respectively) likely due to the high content of hemicellulose in the O diet (22.0 vs. 16.9%). Average milk yield did not differ between the groups; instead, milk fat (8.39 vs. 9.06%; P < 0.01) and protein (4.41 vs. 4.60%; P < 0.01) levels were significantly higher in the O group. The results elicit great interest in southern Italy where corn cultivation is adversely affected by the high cost of irrigation.

     

Effects of feeding alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw-based diets on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation, and production responses by mid-lactation dairy cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of feeding different levels of alkaline hydrogen peroxide-treated wheat straw (AHP-WS) in the diet on feed intake, nutrient digestion, ruminal fermentation, and production responses in mid-lactation dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows, averaging 147 d postpartum, were used in two replications of a 4 x 4 Latin square design. Complete mixed diets consisted of 70% forage and 30% concentrate (DM basis) with various levels of AHP-WS, alfalfa haylage, and corn silage as forage sources. Treatments contained 0 (control), 20.0, 40.1, or 60.0% AHP-WS in the diet. A quadratic effect (P = .08) of AHP-WS level on DMI was noted, with values of 2.16, 22.3, 20.8, and 18.9 kg/d for the control, 20.0, 40.1, and 60.0% AHP-WS treatments, respectively. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, and ADF were not affected (P greater than .10) by replacing haylage and corn silage with increasing amounts of AHP-WS in the diet, but there was a linear increase (P = .03) in NDF digestibility (44% for control vs 59% for the 60.0% AHP-WS diet) and a parallel decrease (P less than .05) in cell content digestibility (82 vs 70% for these two diets). Yields of milk and 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) were decreased (quadratic; P = .0001) as the level of AHP-WS increased in the diet. The addition of AHP-WS to the diet decreased the milk fat percentage from 3.72 to 3.60% (quadratic; P = .05) and decreased milk protein percentage from 3.27 to 3.13% (linear; P = .0001). Cows fed the higher levels of AHP-WS had linear increases (P = .0001) in ruminal concentrations of total VFA (128.0 mM for control vs 136.0 mM for the 60.0% AHP-WS treatment) and molar proportion of acetate, resulting in a quadratic effect (P less than .0001) on the acetate:propionate ratio. These data indicate that feeding the 40.1 and 60.0% AHP-WS diets lowered digestible DM and OM intakes, which resulted in reduced 4% FCM yield as nutrient intakes were decreased compared with cows fed the 20.0% AHP-WS diet or the control diet containing alfalfa haylage and corn silage. Although substituting AHP-WS for haylage and corn silage increased NDF digestibility and tended to increase digestible NDF intake, milk production was depressed because digestible DMI decreased.     

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.     

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。