Effects of Level and Degradability of Rapeseed Meal in Rations for Dairy Cows. 1. Animal Performance

Abstract

A total of 44 dairy cows of the Swedish Red and White dual-purpose breed were divided into 4 equal groups. Two groups were fed concentrate containing approximately 19% crude protein (high level), while two groups were fed concentrate containing 14.3% crude protein (low level). The differences were obtained by mixing either 25 or 8% 00-rapeseed meal into a basic grain-dominated mixture. Within each protein level, one half of the cows were allotted untreated rapeseed meal and the other half heat-treated rapeseed meal. The heat treatment decreased the effective protein degradability of the rapeseed meal by 20 units from 72 to 52%.

The experiment was commenced as a continuous experiment, where weeks 1–3 of the lactation were a preliminary period in which all cows received the same feeding. The experimental period covered lactation weeks 4–20. When the experiment was analysed, the results from the preliminary period were used as covariates.

Significant treatment effects were reached both for level and degradability. This was mainly due to a significantly lower milk and protein production on the treatment URM - low protein level. This treatment also reached a significantly lower feed energy utilization and a higher fat percentage in milk. It was concluded that evaluating the protein according to the new Nordic AAT/PBV system correlated better to milk production than did crude protein or digestible crude protein.

By using the AAT-PBV system it was possible to minimize the crude protein content in the concentrate without impairing milk production. A general conclusion is that there are benefits in the form of higher milk production and better feed utilization from decreasing protein degradability in rapeseed meal.