Effects of alfalfa particle size and specific gravity on chewing activity, digestibility, and performance of Holstein dairy cows

Two experiments were carried out to test the effects of alfalfa particle size and functional specific gravity (FSG) on chewing activity, digestibility, rumen kinetics, and production of lactating dairy cows fed corn silage based rations. In experiment 1, water-holding capacity (WHC), insoluble dry matter, hydration rate, and FSG changes were determined in alfalfa hay (varying in particle size) and corn silage. Reduction of particle size increased bulk density, FSG, and the rate of hydration, and decreased WHC of alfalfa. In experiment 2, 9 midlactation Holstein dairy cows fed total mixed rations containing 3 sizes of alfalfa hay (with geometric mean 7.83, 4.04, and 1.14 mm) were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. The diets contained 20, 20, 35, 7, 7.5, 10, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.1% of DM alfalfa, corn silage, barley, soybean meal, beet pulp, wheat bran, dicalcium phosphate, vitamin premix, and salt, respectively. The geometric means (GM) of rations were 3.34, 2.47, and 1.66 mm in long, medium, and fine alfalfa treatments, respectively. Reduction of particle size increased daily NDF intake (kg), but decreased the proportion of physically effective factor (pef) and physically effective NDF (peNDF) in the ingested rations. Reduction of particle size increased the FSG of rations and intake of DM but reduced digestibility of NDF and ash. Reduction of particle size decreased ruminal mean retention time (RMRT), but increased the ruminal particulate passage rate. Milk and FCM yield were not affected by treatments. The rumen pH, total chewing activity, rumination, eating time, and milk fat were reduced as particle size decreased, but milk protein increased. This study showed that reduction of forage particle size increased bulk density, FSG, and hydration rate of alfalfa and was the most influential factor affecting DMI, milk composition, and chewing behavior. Reduction of forage particle size had minimal impact on digestibility and milk production.     

Effects of replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in a total mixed ration on production and rumen conditions of lactating dairy cows

The effects of replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in a total mixed ration containing barley grain and corn silage on production and rumen conditions were investigated. Cows received three diets that all contained (dry matter basis) 38.5% barley grain-based energy supplement, 30.5% corn silage, 17.0% protein supplement, and 4.2% sunflower seeds. One diet contained (dry matter basis) 9.8% of chopped alfalfa hay and no alfalfa silage. One diet contained (dry matter basis) 4.9% chopped alfalfa hay and 4.9% alfalfa silage. One diet contained (dry matter basis) 9.8% of alfalfa silage and no chopped alfalfa hay. Contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and starch, averaged across diets, were 16.7, 41.3, 21.1, and 24.4% DM, respectively, and did not differ significantly among diets. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage decreased the proportion of dietary DM passing through the 8-mm screen of the Penn State Particle Separator from 61.9 to 55.2% dry matter and significantly increased dietary physical effective NDF (peNDF) content, calculated as the NDF retained by the two screens of the Penn State Particle Separator, from 20.1 to 23.3% DM. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage also reduced dietary DM content, increased rumen pH from 6.27 to 6.47, reduced volatile fatty acid concentrations, numerically increased milk fat concentration and milk fat yield. Milk yield, milk protein concentration, dry matter intake, and rumen ammonia concentration were not affected.     

Effects of particle size of alfalfa-based dairy cow diets on site and extent of digestion

Effects of ratio of alfalfa silage to alfalfa hay and forage particle size on nutrient intakes, site of digestion, rumen pools, and passage rate of ruminal contents were evaluated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The diets consisted of 60% barley-based concentrate and 40% forage made up either of 50:50 or 25:75 of alfalfa silage:alfalfa hay and alfalfa hay was either chopped or ground. Lactating dairy cows surgically fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used and offered ad libitum access to a total mixed ration. Intakes of nutrients were increased by increasing ratio of silage to hay but were not affected by particle size of forage. Change in ratio of silage to hay of diets did not affect site and extent of digestion. However, increased forage particle size of the diets improved digestibility of fiber and N in the total tract, and as well as digestibility of organic matter, starch, and acid detergent fiber in the intestine. There was a shift of starch digestion from the rumen to the intestine when forage particle size was increased, although total digestion of starch was not changed. Ruminal microbial protein synthesis and microbial efficiency also improved with increasing forage particle size. Cows fed ground hay versus chopped hay had significantly lower rumen wet mass regardless of the ratio of silage to hay. Reduced forage particle size also lowered ruminal nutrient pool size for cows fed the high silage diet. Ruminal passage rates of liquid and solid were decreased by reducing the ratio of silage to hay, and retention time of solids in the total tract was shortened by reducing forage particle size. These results indicate that manipulating ratio of silage to hay in the diets of dairy cows changed feed intake but had little effect on digestion. In contrast, increased forage particle size in dairy cow diets improved fiber digestion and microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, and shifted starch digestion from the rumen to the intestine. Dietary particle size, expressed as physically effective neutral detergent fiber, was a reliable indication of ruminal microbial protein synthesis and nutrient digestion.     

Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in barley grain and alfalfa-based total mixed rations for lactating dairy cows

The effects of replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage in a fine barley grain and alfalfa-based total mixed ration (TMR) were evaluated. Diets contained (dry matter basis) 53.0% commercial energy supplement, 10.3% commercial protein supplement, and 9.7% corn silage. Diets varied in inclusion of chopped alfalfa hay and alfalfa silage, and contained either 20.0% chopped alfalfa hay and 7.0% alfalfa silage, 10.0% chopped alfalfa hay and 17.0% alfalfa silage, or 27.0% alfalfa silage. Contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, and minerals did not differ among diets. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage decreased dietary dry matter, and increased dietary soluble protein and physical effective NDF calculated as the proportion of dietary NDF retained by the 8- and 19-mm screens of the Penn State Particle Separator (peNDF(NDF)) from 13.3 to 15.6% DM. Replacing chopped alfalfa hay with alfalfa silage did not affect dry matter intake, rumen pH, rumen volatile fatty acids, blood lactate, milk fat, and milk protein percentage, but did decrease blood glucose, tended to increase blood urea, and numerically decreased milk yield and milk protein yield. A wider range in peNDF(NDF) and a higher inclusion of corn silage might have resulted in greater differences in rumen fermentation and milk production among diets. The pH of rumen fluid samples collected 4 h after feeding varied from 5.90 to 5.98, and milk fat percentage varied from 2.50 to 2.60% among diets. These values suggest that mild subacute ruminal acidosis was induced by all diets.     

Effects of physically effective fiber on intake, chewing activity, and ruminal acidosis for dairy cows fed diets based on corn silage

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of physically effective (pe) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of dairy cow diets containing corn silage as the sole forage type on feed intake, meal patterns, chewing activity, and rumen pH. The experiment was designed as a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square using 6 lactating dairy cows with ruminal cannulas. Diets were chemically similar but varied in peNDF content (high, medium, and low) by altering corn silage particle length. The physical effectiveness factors for the long (original), medium (rechopped once), and fine (rechopped twice) silages were determined using the Penn State Particle Separator and were 0.84, 0.73, and 0.67, respectively. The peNDF contents of the diets were 11.5, 10.3, and 8.9%, for the high, medium, and low diets, respectively. Increased forage particle length increased intake of peNDF but did not affect intake of DM or NDF. Number of chews (chews/d) and chewing time, including eating and ruminating time, were linearly increased with increasing dietary peNDF. Meal patterns were generally similar for all treatments, except that number of meals was quadratically increased with increasing dietary peNDF. Mean ruminal pH, area between the curve and a horizontal line at pH 5.8 or 5.5, and time that pH was below 5.8 or 5.5 were not affected by peNDF content. Dietary peNDF content was moderately correlated to number of chews during eating (r = 0.41) and to total chewing time (r = 0.37). The present study demonstrates that increasing the peNDF content of diets increased chewing time, but increased chewing time did not necessarily reduce ruminal acidosis. Models that predict rumen pH should include both peNDF and fermentable OM intake. Dietary particle size, expressed as peNDF, was a reliable indicator of chewing activity.     

Effects of physically effective fiber on chewing activity and ruminal pH of dairy cows fed diets based on barley silage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) content of dairy cow diets containing barley silage as the sole forage source on feed intake, chewing activity, and ruminal pH. The experiment was designed as a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square using 6 lactating dairy cows with ruminal cannulas. Cows were offered 1 of 3 diets (high, medium, and low peNDF) obtained using barley silage that varied in particle length: long (theoretical cut length of 9.5 mm), medium (equal proportions of long and fine silages), and fine (theoretical cut length of 4.8 mm). The peNDF contents were determined using the Penn State Particle Separator and were 13.8, 11.8, and 10.5%, for the high, medium, and low diets, respectively. The physical effectiveness factors (defined as proportion retained on 19- and 8-mm screens) for the long and fine silages were 0.84 and 0.68, respectively. Increased forage particle size increased intake of peNDF but did not affect intake of DM and NDF. Ruminating and total chewing time were linearly increased with increasing dietary peNDF. Mean ruminal pH, area between the curve and a horizontal line drawn at pH 5.8 or 5.5, and time that pH was below 5.8 or 5.5 were not affected by peNDF content. Intake of peNDF was not correlated to any chewing activity but proportion of long particles on the 19-mm sieve tended to be correlated to ruminating chews (r = 0.36) and ruminating time (r = 0.36). These results indicate that increasing the peNDF content of diets increases chewing time. However, increased chewing time does not always improve ruminal pH status. Increasing chewing time and thus increasing salivary secretion may not fully overcome the effects of feed digestion and the production of fermentation acids that lower rumen pH. The results suggest that dietary peNDF and fermentable OM intake are critical in regulating rumen pH. Dietary particle size, expressed as peNDF, was a reliable indication of chewing activity.     

Effect of fat from whole soybeans on performance of dairy cows fed rations differing in fiber level and particle size.

Two trials were conducted with lactating dairy cows to determine effects on intake, performance, and chewing activity of supplemental fat in early lactation diets that differed in fiber level and particle size. In trial 1, whole raw soybeans were added at 11.6% of ration DM to alfalfa silage-based TMR containing either finely chopped silage or the same silage with 8.1% coarsely chopped alfalfa hay. Each combination of soybeans (0 or 11.6%) and silage (fine or hay added) was fed as an isocaloric, isonitrogenous TMR to eight Holstein cows in early lactation in a replicated Latin square design with 4-wk periods. Addition of soybeans decreased DMI for fine silage. With silage plus hay, soybean addition decreased milk yield and protein content but increased fat test so that FCM was unchanged. Silage plus hay promoted chewing activity with no interaction of forage particle size with fat addition on chewing activity. In trial 2, TMR based on alfalfa and corn silage contained either 25 or 29% NDF and 0 or 11.6% soybeans. Otherwise, trials 1 and 2 were similar. Soybean addition decreased DMI with low NDF diets. Addition of fat from soybeans had no effect on milk yield or composition, but low fiber decreased fat test and chewing activity. When .4 to .5 kg/d of supplemental fat from whole raw soybeans was fed, higher dietary NDF and larger particle size promoted greater intake with no effect on FCM yield.     

Corn Silage Partially Replacing Short Alfalfa Hay to Optimize Forage Use in Total Mixed Rations for Lactating Cows

We theorized that adding corn silage to a total mixed ration with alfalfa hay as the sole dietary forage would improve nutrient intake and chewing activity and thereby improve rumen fermentation and milk production. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of partial replacement of short alfalfa [physically effective (pe) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) >1.18 mm (peNDF_>1.18) = 33.2%] with corn silage (CS, peNDF_>1.18 = 51.9%) in yellow grease-supplemented total mixed rations on feed intake, chewing behavior, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance by dairy cows. Four multiparous (138 ± 3 d in milk) and 4 primiparous (115 ± 10 d in milk) Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with four 21-d periods. Each period had 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of sampling, and parity was the square. Treatments were diets [dry matter (DM) basis] with 1) 40% alfalfa hay (ALF), 2) 24% alfalfa hay + 16% CS (CS40), 3) 20% alfalfa hay + 20% CS (CS50), and 4) 16% alfalfa hay + 24% CS (CS60). Diets had a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 40:60 on a DM basis. Cows had greater intake of DM and thus greater intakes of net energy for lactation, NDF, and peNDF when CS partially replaced alfalfa hay. Replacing alfalfa hay with CS increased daily eating and chewing times in all cows, and increased rumen pH at 4 h postfeeding in multiparous cows. Apparent total-tract digestibility coefficients for crude protein (CP) and NDF were not different among cows fed ALF, CS40, and CS50, but were lower for CS60 than for ALF. Energy-corrected milk yield was greater for CS40 and CS60 than for ALF. Milk protein yield was increased when CS replaced 40, 50, and 60% of alfalfa hay. Milk lactose was greater only for CS60, but milk lactose yield was greater for CS50 and CS60 than for ALF. Milk percentage and yield of fat did not differ among treatments. Therefore, CS partially replacing short alfalfa hay increased DM intake, consequently increased net energy for lactation and physically effective fiber intakes, and thus, improved milk and milk protein and lactose yields.     

Influence of particle size on the effectiveness of the fiber in corn silage

This experiment evaluated the influence of particle size on the effectiveness of fiber in corn silage relative to that in hay crop, which consisted of mostly alfalfa silage. Fifteen multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to five treatments in each of 2 yr. The design was replicated but truncated 5 x 5 Latin squares with three 21-d periods in 1994 and four 21-d periods in 1995. The five diets (2-yr average, dry basis) were a basal, low fiber control with 12% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from hay crop forage (60% of total diet NDF); a high fiber control with 22% NDF from hay crop forage (82% of total diet NDF); and three diets each containing 12% NDF from hay crop forage and 9% NDF from coarse corn silage, fine corn silage, or an equal mixture of the two. An increase in the forage content above the basal amount with either hay crop or corn silage increased rumination and total chewing time. No detectable differences in rumination, total chewing time, or milk fat concentration were detected among the corn silage diets. In yr 1, yield of milk components and dry matter intake were greater for cows fed the four low alfalfa diets, but there was no effect due to particle size of the corn silage. In yr 2, linear increases in milk, fat, and protein yields were observed as the mean particle size of the corn silage decreased. Reduction of corn silage particle size did not affect chewing behavior.     

Effects of dietary neutral detergent fiber concentration and supplementary long hay on chewing activities and milk production of dairy cows

Effects of dietary NDF concentration on chewing and productivity were assessed using silage-based diets with and without supplemental long hay. Twelve Holstein cows (125 d postpartum) were used in a double 6 x 6 Latin square to evaluate six diets formulated using high moisture shelled corn and alfalfa silage (37% DM, 23% CP, 48% NDF) to provide three concentrations of NDF: 26, 30, and 34%. At each concentration, an alternative diet was formulated by substituting 15% of the silage DM with an equivalent amount of long alfalfa grass hay (14% CP, 61% NDF). Cows were fed at 85% of ad libitum intake, and ingredients were allocated separately. Increasing NDF decreased milk yield from 20.8 to 19.9 and 19.1 kg/d, for 26, 30, and 34%, respectively. Supplementing diets with hay increased milk production by .7 kg/d, although milk fat content was not affected. Increasing NDF resulted in a quadratic increase in ruminating and total chewing time from 344 and 558 for 26% NDF, to 413 and 651 for 30%, and 414 and 674 min/d for 34%, respectively. Added hay did not increase daily ruminating and chewing time; ruminating time per unit of NDF intake was reduced by hay supplementation (75.3 vs. 69.4 min/kg).     

Impact of stage of maturity and method of preservation of alfalfa on digestion in lactating dairy cows.

Four multiparous Holstein cows in midlactation were fed 60:40 forage:grain (dry basis) diets containing first-cutting alfalfa harvested at the early bud or early flower stage of maturity. Each of the two maturities was preserved as silage and hay. A 4 x 4 Latin square design experiment (28-d periods) was conducted to measure the impact of alfalfa maturity and method of preservation on milk production and composition, intake, digestion, digesta passage, and particle size of digesta. Milk production and composition were not affected by treatment. Increases in fiber intake resulted from increased maturity and preservation as hay, but this did not appear to limit DMI or milk production. Both increased maturity and preservation as hay resulted in the following effects in cows: more time spent ruminating, greater total chewing time, greater wet and dry rumen fill, and a greater volume of rumen contents. Rumen retention time of La applied to forage was 6 h less, and 0-h disappearance of DM from dacron bags was greater for silage than hay. In situ DM disappearance rates averaged 15%/h for silage and 9.5%/h for hay. Lag time was related inversely to 0-h disappearance. Masticates and mixed rumen samples from cows fed hay showed a greater percentage of DM as particles greater than or equal to 9.5 mm in length. Gross feed efficiency was greater for cows fed alfalfa silage than for those fed alfalfa hay, probably because of more rapid digestion and passage. The potential for rumen fill to limit intake in high producing cows appears to be greater for alfalfa preserved as hay than that preserved as silage.     

Effects of forage particle size,forage source,and grain fermentability on performance and ruminal pH in midlactation cows

Our study investigated the effects of, and interactions between, forage particle size, level of dietary ruminally fermentable carbohydrate (RFC), and level of dietary starch on performance, chewing activity, and ruminal pH for dairy cows fed one level of dietary NDF. Twelve cows (48 DIM) were assigned to six treatments in a replicated 6 x 6 Latin square. Treatments were arranged in an incomplete 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Factors were: dry cracked shelled corn (DC, low RFC) or ground high-moisture corn (HMC; high RFC), finely chopped or coarse silage, and alfalfa silage as the only forage or a 50:50 ratio (DM basis) of alfalfa and corn silage. Diets combining HMC with only alfalfa silage were not included in the experiment. Diets were fed for ad libitum intake as a TMR with a concentrate:forage ratio of 61:39. Diets based on only alfalfa silage and diets based on a mix of alfalfa and corn silage averaged 18.6 and 15.8% CP, 25.8 and 24.7% NDF, 17.7 and 14.8% ADF, and 29.1 and 37.3% starch, respectively. Mean particle sizes were 5.3, 2.7, 5.6, and 2.8 mm for coarse alfalfa, fine alfalfa, coarse corn silage, and fine corn silage, respectively. Decreasing forage particle size decreased DMI (23.3 vs. 21.6 kg) and organic matter intake (22.0 vs. 20.2 kg). Increasing RFC decreased DMI (22.8 vs. 21.0 kg) and organic matter intake (21.5 vs. 20.0 kg). Decreasing forage particle size increased energy-corrected milk for alfalfa based diets (34.9 vs. 37.4 kg). Percentage of milk fat decreased with decreasing forage particle size (3.07 vs. 2.90%) and increased level of RFC (3.04 vs. 2.57%). Percentage of protein increased when corn silage partially replaced alfalfa silage (2.84 vs. 2.90%) but decreased when HMC replaced DC (2.90 vs. 2.84%). Apparent total tract digestibility of DM (66.7 vs. 68.5%), OM (65.9 vs. 70.7%), and starch (88.9 vs. 93.4%) increased when level of RFC was increased. Increasing level of RFC decreased mean ruminal pH from 5.82 to 5.67 and decreased minimum pH. Hours per day at which pH was <5.8, and area <5.8, increased when corn silage partially replaced alfalfa silage (2.6 vs. 4.4 h and 8.9 h x pH vs. 11.4 h x pH) and decreased further when level of RFC was increased (4.4 vs. 6.4 h and 11.4 h x pH vs. 14.3 h x pH). Decreasing forage particle size in HMC diets increased hours and area <5.8, but for DC diets, the effect of forage particle size depended on forage source. Interactions were found between level of physically effective fiber, forage source, and level of RFC on production and pH, complicating the inclusion of these effects in dairy ration formulation and evaluation.     

Effects of the chop lengths of alfalfa silage and oat silage on feed intake, milk production, feeding behavior, and rumen fermentation of dairy cows

Effects of chop length (shorter: 6 mm, or longer: 19 mm) of alfalfa silage and oat silage were determined in 16 mid-lactation Holstein cows, 4 of which were rumen cannulated, using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 arrangement of treatments. Experimental periods were 21 d long and consisted of 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of sampling. Cows received a total mixed ration containing [dry matter (DM) basis] 42.0% barley grain-based energy supplement, 10% protein supplement, and 24% of DM longer chop or shorter chop alfalfa silage and 24% of DM longer chop or shorter chop oat silage. Rumen pH was measured continuously, and rumen liquid flow rates were determined in rumen-cannulated cows. Feeding behavior was determined by videotaping, and meal patterns were determined by continuously weighing the feed in the bunk of 8 cows. Reducing the chop length of alfalfa silage and oat silage reduced the average geometric particle length from 14.2 to 10.9 mm and from 13.4 to 10.4 mm, respectively. Reducing the alfalfa chop length did not affect feed intake, whereas reducing the oat silage chop length increased DM intake from to 19.4 to 21.2 kg/d. Reducing the chop lengths of alfalfa silage and oat silage chop length did not affect milk production, rumen fermentation, feeding behavior, meal patterns, and blood metabolites. Daily milk yield, milk fat percentage, and milk protein percentage averaged 36.1 kg/d, 3.00%, and 3.16%, respectively, across diets. The low milk fat percentages suggest that the diets induced subacute ruminal acidosis. This was also substantiated by the rumen pH, which was below 5.6 for more than 122 min/d for all diets. The onset of subacute ruminal acidosis despite apparently adequate dietary neutral detergent fiber content and particle size distribution as well as the long duration of chewing might be attributed to sorting against long feed particles.     

The effect of corn silage particle size and cottonseed hulls on cows in early lactation

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of reducing forage particle length (FPL) and the inclusion of cottonseed hulls (CSH) on intake, digestibility, chewing activity, and milk production of cows in early lactation. Sixteen multiparous cows averaging 17 +/- 3 d in milk and 677 +/- 58 kg BW were assigned to one of four 4 x 4 Latin squares. One square contained ruminally cannulated cows to evaluate effects of treatment on rumen fermentation and function. During each of the 23-d periods, cows were offered one of four total mixed rations that differed in particle length (long or short corn silage) and CSH inclusion rate (0 or 8% DM). Dietary treatments were: long no CSH (LGNH), long with CSH (LGH), short no CSH (SHNH), and short with CSH (SHH). Total physically effective NDF content, measured as percentage of NDF greater than 1.18 mm, was similar across diets, but mean particle length decreased with reducing FPL and inclusion of CSH. Dry matter intake was not significantly affected by FPL but was significantly increased with the inclusion of CSH. Decreasing FPL and the inclusion of CSH significantly increased neutral detergent fiber intake. Total chewing activity expressed as minutes per day was unaffected by FPL and the inclusion of CSH. Both eating and ruminating efficiency expressed as minutes per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake increased with increasing FPL and decreased with the inclusion of CSH. Milk production did not differ across treatments, but the inclusion of CSH significantly increased percent and yield of milk protein. Reducing FPL tended to reduce percentage milk fat but not yield. Mean ruminal pH was not affected by FPL but was highest on diets containing CSH, even though no treatment effects were observed on total VFA, acetate, or propionate concentration. These resuits indicate that corn silage FPL is a poor predictor of total chewing time and rumen pH but is useful in understanding factors affecting feeding behavior. In addition, the inclusion of CSH, resulted in increased rumination and mean rumen pH even though effects on VFA concentration were not observed.     

Effects of forage particle size and grain fermentability in midlactation cows. II. Ruminal pH and chewing activity

Our study investigated the effects of, and interactions between, level of dietary ruminally fermentable carbohydrate (RFC) and forage particle size on rumen pH and chewing activity for dairy cows fed one level of dietary NDF. Also, correlations between intake, production, chewing, and ruminal pH parameters were investigated. Eight cows (61 days in milk) were assigned to four treatments in a double 4 x 4 Latin square. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; finely chopped alfalfa silage (FS) and coarse alfalfa silage (CS) were combined with concentrates based on either dry, cracked-shelled corn (DC; low RFC) or ground, high-moisture corn (HMC; high RFC). Diets were fed ad libitum as a total mixed rations with a concentrate:forage ratio of 60:40. Diets averaged 18.7% crude protein, 24.0% neutral detergent fiber, 18.3% , acid detergent fiber and 27.4% starch on a DM basis. Mean particle size of the four diets were 6.3, 2.8, 6.0, and 3.0 mm for DCCS, DCFS, HMCCS, and HMCFS, respectively. Decreasing forage particle size decreased ruminal pH from 6.02 to 5.81, and increasing level of RFC decreased pH from 5.99 to 5.85. Minimum daily ruminal pH decreased from 5.66 to 5.47 when level of RFC was increased, and decreased from 5.65 to 5.48 when forage particle size decreased. Time below pH 5.8 per day increased from 7.4 h to 10.8 h when level of RFC increased, and increased from 6.4 h to 11.8 h when forage particle size was decreased. Area below 5.8 showed the same relationship with RFC and forage particle size. Also, forage particle size affected the postprandial pH pattern. Cows spent more time eating when fed CS compared with FS (274 vs. 237 min/d), and time spent eating decreased when level of RFC was increased (271 vs. 241 min/d). Decreasing forage particle size decreased time spent ruminating (485 vs. 320 min/d), rumination periods (15.3 vs. 11.7), and duration of rumination periods (29 vs. 26 min). Increasing level of RFC increased time spent ruminating per kg NDF intake (68.5 vs. 79.5 min/kg). Milk fat percentage was correlated to mean ruminal pH (r = 0.41), time spent below pH 5.8 (r = -0.55), and area below 5.8 (r = -0.57), but not to intake or chewing variables. DMI of particles retained on a screen equivalent in size to the top screen of the Penn State particle separator was the intake parameter explaining most of the variation in mean ruminal pH (r = 0.27) and was correlated to time spent ruminating (r = 0.61) and chewing (r = 0.61).     

Nutrient demand interacts with grass particle length to affect digestion responses and chewing activity in dairy cows

Effects of grass particle length on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, ruminal fermentation and pool sizes, digestion and passage kinetics, and chewing activity and the relationship of these effects with preliminary DMI (pDMI) were evaluated using 15 ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein cows in a crossover design with a 14-d preliminary period and two 18-d treatment periods. During the preliminary period, pDMI of individual cows ranged from 22.6 to 29.8 kg/d (mean=25.8 kg/d) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield ranged from 29.2 to 56.9 kg/d (mean=41.9 kg/d). Experimental treatments were diets containing orchardgrass silage chopped to either (a) 19-mm (long) or (b) 10-mm (short) theoretical length of cut as the sole forage. Grass silages contained approximately 46% neutral detergent fiber (NDF); diets contained 50% forage, 23% forage NDF, and 28% total NDF. Preliminary DMI, an index of nutrient demand, was determined during the last 4 d of the preliminary period when cows were fed a common diet and used as a covariate. Main effects of grass particle length and their interaction with pDMI were tested by ANOVA. Grass particle length and its interaction with pDMI did not affect milk yield, milk composition, or rumen pH. Long particle length tended to decrease DMI compared with short particle length, which might have been limited by rumen fill or chewing time, or both. Passage rates of feed fractions did not differ between long and short particle lengths and were not related to level of intake. As pDMI increased, long particles decreased ruminal digestion rate of potentially digestible NDF at a faster rate than short particles. As a result, long particles decreased or tended to decrease rates of ruminal turnover for NDF, organic matter, and dry matter and increased their rumen pools compared with short particles for cows with high pDMI. Long particles increased eating time, which affected cows with high intake to the greatest extent, and total chewing time compared with short particles. As intake increased, ruminal digestion (kg/d) and digestibility (%) of starch decreased, rumen pool size of starch increased, and postruminal digestion and digestibility of starch increased quadratically. When grass silage was the only source of forage in the diet, increasing chop length from 10 to 19 mm tended to decrease DMI but did not negatively affect productivity of cows, which were fed adequate fiber.     

Effect of fiber content and particle size of alfalfa silage on performance and chewing behavior.

A low NDF drought-stressed 1988 alfalfa silage (32.6% NDF) and a higher fiber 1988 alfalfa silage (46.4% NDF) were fed to lactating cows to evaluate effects on feed intake, fat test, and chewing behavior. Two groups of Holstein cows, 16 primiparous housed in tie stalls and 16 multiparous in free stalls, were assigned to diets based on parity and milk yield. The low NDF silage was fed for 6 wk in a TMR with 21.5% NDF and was compared with a TMR with 31.9% NDF. During an additional 4-wk period, one-half of each dietary group was fed a ration in which one-half of each silage was rechopped to reduce particle size. All rations contained a 1:1 ratio of forages to concentrates (DM basis) and were fed for ad libitum intake. Diets with 21.5% NDF and reduced particle size had no influence on milk fat percentage, 4% FCM yield, or plasma glucose. Cows fed these diets had reduced chewing time, due largely to decreased rumination time. Rumination and total chewing times per unit DMI and FCM also were lowest on these diets. Intake of DM on a BW basis was lowest for cows fed the low NDF rechopped silage diet. Cows fed in tie stalls had more eating bouts than those in free stalls, but total eating times were similar. Sufficient amounts of effective fiber appeared to be present in low NDF and rechopped silage diets to prevent the systemic events leading to milk fat depression but not to prevent a reduction in chewing time.     

Interactions between forage and wet corn gluten feed as sources of fiber in diets for lactating dairy cows

Twelve early lactation Holstein cows (4 fistulated) were used in replicated 4x4 Latin squares with 4-wk periods to determine the effective neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content of wet corn gluten feed and to measure the effect of forage particle size on ruminal mat consistency and passage rate of wet corn gluten feed. Diets were 1) 23.3% NDF (17.4 percentage units of NDF from alfalfa silage), 2) diet 1 plus 11.1 additional percentage units of NDF from alfalfa silage, 3) diet 1 plus 10.7 percentage units of NDF from wet corn gluten feed, and 4) 8.6 percentage units of NDF from alfalfa silage plus 8.9 percentage units of NDF from coarsely chopped alfalfa hay and 10.7 percentage units of NDF from wet corn gluten feed. The calculated effective NDF factor for wet corn gluten feed, using change in milk fat concentration per unit change in NDF, was 0.74 compared with an assumed 1.0 for alfalfa silage. Rumination activity was measured to calculate a physically effective NDF factor for wet corn gluten feed, which was only 0.11 compared with 1.0 for alfalfa silage. Physically effective NDF also was determined for wet corn gluten feed by wet sieving; 22% of the particles were retained on the 3.35-mm screen or greater. Ruminal mat consistency increased and passage rate of wet corn gluten feed decreased with added hay. The inclusion of chopped alfalfa hay to a diet containing wet corn gluten feed increased ruminal mat consistency, rumination activity, and slowed passage rate, resulting in greater ruminal digestion of NDF from wet corn gluten feed. Depending on the response variable, the effectiveness of NDF from wet corn gluten feed varied from 0.11 to 0.74.     

Silage chop length and hay supplementation on milk yield, chewing activity, and ruminal digestion by dairy cows

The effects of whole-plant corn silage (CS) particle size and long unprocessed grass hay (LH) supplementation on milk yield, chewing activity, and ruminal digestion in dairy cows were evaluated in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, corn silage harvested at fine (6 mm; FCS) or coarse (23 mm; CCS) theoretical cut length were fed to 22 lactating Holstein cows. Treatments were 2 total mixed rations containing 58% of dry matter (DM) as FCS or CCS. Diet DM intake tended to be higher in cows fed FCS than those fed CCS (23.4 vs. 22.1 kg/d). However, milk yield and composition, body condition score, and plasma metabolite concentrations were not affected by the dietary treatments. In the second experiment, 5 cannulated Holstein cows were used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design to evaluate the effects of the addition of LH to the diets evaluated in Experiment 1 on chewing activity and ruminal digestion. Treatments were 5 total mixed rations: FCS-based diet plus the addition of 0, 5, or 10% LH (DM basis) and CCS-based diet plus 0 or 5% LH. Long hay addition linearly decreased DM intake in cows fed FCS-based diets (25.0 to 21.7 kg/d), but increased DM intake in those fed CCS-based diets (22.7 to 27.1 kg/d). The intake of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased with LH addition in CCS-based diets (7.6 vs. 9.4 kg/d). Rumination time increased (16.8 to 21.0 min/kg of DM intake) when LH was added to FCS-based diets, but it decreased when included in CCS-based diets (18.8 vs. 12.9 min/kg of DM intake). Ruminal pH was higher (5.9 vs. 5.7) and lag-time for in situ NDF disappearance was shorter (3.5 vs. 8.7 h) for cows fed CCS compared with cows fed FCS. The rate of NDF disappearance tended to be higher for the CCS-based diet with 5% LH than for the diet with 0% LH (2.0 vs. 4.4%/h), but solids passage rate was not affected by the treatments. These results suggest that addition of LH to FCS-based diets does not affect ruminal environment or digestion, but depressed DM intake. In contrast, addition of LH to CCS-based diets may improve ruminal NDF digestion, increasing DM intake by reducing filling effect and time needed for rumination.