Effects of different protein supplements on omasal nutrient flow and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows

Eight ruminally cannulated Holstein cows that were part of a larger lactation trial were used in 2 replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares to quantify effects of supplementing protein as urea, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), or canola meal (CM) on omasal nutrient flows and microbial protein synthesis. All diets contained (% of dry matter) 21% alfalfa silage and 35% corn silage plus 1) 2% urea plus 41% high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), 2) 12% SSBM plus 31% HMSC, 3) 14% CSM plus 29% HMSC, or 4) 16% CM plus 27% HMSC. Crude protein was equal across diets, averaging 16.6%. The CSM diet supplied the least rumen-degraded protein and the most rumen-undegraded protein. Microbial nonammonia N flow was similar among the true protein supplements but was 14% lower in cows fed urea. In vivo ruminal passage rate, degradation rate, and estimated escape for the 3 true proteins were, respectively, 0.044/h, 0.105/h, and 29% for SSBM; 0.051/h, 0.050/h, and 51% for CSM; and 0.039/h, 0.081/h, and 34% for CM. This indicated that CSM protein was less degraded because of both a faster passage rate and slower degradation rate. Omasal flow of individual AA, branched-chain AA, essential AA, nonessential AA, and total AA all were lower in cows fed urea compared with one of the true protein supplements. Among the 3 diets supplemented with true protein, omasal flow of Arg was greatest on CSM, and omasal flow of His was greatest on CSM, intermediate on CM, and lowest on SSBM. Lower flows of AA and microbial nonammonia N explained lower yields of milk yield and milk components observed on the urea diet in the companion lactation trial. These results clearly showed that supplementation with true protein was necessary to obtain sufficient microbial protein and rumen-undegraded protein to meet the metabolizable AA requirements of high-producing dairy cows.     

Effects of feeding formate-treated alfalfa silage or red clover silage on the production of lactating dairy cows

In trial 1, 15 Holsteins were fed 3 total mixed rations (TMR) with 33% neutral detergent fiber in 3 × 3 Latin squares (28-d periods). Two TMR contained (dry matter basis): 40% control alfalfa silage (CAS) or 40% ammonium tetraformate-treated alfalfa silage (TAS), 20% corn silage (CS), 33% high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), 6% solvent soybean meal (SSBM), and 18% crude protein (CP); the third TMR contained 54% red clover silage (RCS), 6% dried molasses, 33% HMSC, 6% SSBM, and 16.3% CP. Silages differed in nonprotein N (NPN) and acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN; % of total N): 50 and 4% (CAS); 45 and 3% (TAS); 27 and 8% (RCS). Replacing CAS with TAS increased intake, yields of milk, fat-corrected milk, protein, and solids-not-fat, and apparent dry matter and N efficiency. Replacing CAS with RCS increased intake and N efficiency but not milk yield. Replacing CAS or TAS with RCS lowered milk urea N, increased apparent nutrient digestibility, and diverted N excretion from urine to feces. In trial 2, 24 Holsteins (8 ruminally cannulated) were fed 4 TMR in 4 × 4 Latin squares (28-d periods). Diets included the CAS, TAS, and RCS (RCS1) fed in trial 1 plus an immature RCS (RCS2; 29% NPN, 4% ADIN). The CAS, TAS, and RCS2 diets contained 36% HMSC and 3% SSBM and the RCS1 diet contained 31% HMSC and 9% SSBM. All TMR had 50% legume silage, 10% CS, 27% neutral detergent fiber, and 17 to 18% CP. Little difference was observed between cows fed CAS and TAS. Intakes of DM and yields of milk, fat-corrected milk, fat, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat, and milk fat and protein content were greater on alfalfa silage vs. RCS. Blood urea N, milk urea N, ruminal ammonia, and total urinary N excretion were reduced on RCS, suggesting better N utilization on the lower NPN silage. Apparent N efficiency tended to be higher for cows fed RCS but there was no difference when N efficiency was expressed as kilograms of milk yield per kilogram of total N excreted.     

Effect of varying dietary ratios of alfalfa silage to corn silage on omasal flow and microbial protein synthesis in dairy cows

Eight ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows that were part of a larger production trial were used to study the effects of varying dietary ratios of alfalfa silage (AS) to corn silage (CS) on omasal flow of nutrients and microbial protein. Cows were blocked by DIM and randomly assigned to 2 replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares (28-d periods). Diets fed contained (dry matter basis): A) 51% AS, 43% rolled high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), and 3% solvent soybean meal (SSBM); B) 37% AS, 13% CS, 39% HMSC, and 7% SSBM; C) 24% AS, 27% CS, 35% HMSC, and 12% SSBM; or D) 10% AS, 40% CS, 31% HMSC, and 16% SSBM. Crude protein (CP) contents were 17.2, 16.9, 16.6, and 16.2% for diets A, B, C, and D. All 4 diets were high in energy, averaging 49% nonfiber carbohydrates and 24% neutral detergent fiber. Total microbial nonammonia nitrogen flow was lower on diet D (423 g/d) compared with diets A (465 g/d), B (479 g/d), and C (460 g/d). A significant quadratic effect indicated that microbial protein synthesis was maximal at 38% AS. Supply of rumen-degraded protein decreased linearly from 3,068 g/d (diet A) to 2,469 g/d (diet D). Omasal flow of rumen-undegraded protein did not differ among diets and averaged 1,528 g/d. However, when expressed as a percentage of dry matter intake, rumen-undegraded protein increased linearly from 5.59% (diet A) to 6.13% (diet D), probably because CP from SSBM was more resistant to degradation than CP from AS. Essential AA flow was lowest on diet D, and Lys flow tended to be lower on diet D, which may explain the lower milk and protein yields observed on that diet.     

Effects of feeding wheat or corn-wheat dried distillers grains with solubles in low- or high-crude protein diets on ruminal function,omasal nutrient flows,urea-N recycling,and performance in cows

A study was conducted to determine the effects of including either wheat-based (W-DDGS) or corn-wheat blend (B-DDGS) dried distillers grains with solubles as the major protein source in low- or high-crude protein (CP) diets fed to dairy cows on ruminal function, microbial protein synthesis, omasal nutrient flows, urea-N recycling, and milk production. Eight lactating Holstein cows (768.5 ± 57.7 kg of body weight; 109.5 ± 40.0 d in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods (18 d of dietary adaptation and 10 d of measurements) and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Four cows in one Latin square were ruminally cannulated for the measurement of ruminal fermentation characteristics, microbial protein synthesis, urea-N recycling kinetics, and omasal nutrient flow. The treatment factors were type of distillers co-product (W-DDGS vs. B-DDGS) and dietary CP content [15.2 vs. 17.3%; dry matter (DM) basis]. The B-DDGS was produced from a mixture of 15% wheat and 85% corn grain. All diets were formulated to contain 10% W-DDGS or B-DDGS on a DM basis. No diet effect was observed on DM intake. Yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose, and plasma urea-N and milk urea-N concentrations were lower in cows fed the low-CP compared with those fed the high-CP diet. Although feeding B-DDGS tended to reduce ruminal ammonia-N (NH₃-N) concentration compared with feeding W-DDGS (9.3 vs. 10.5 mg/dL), no differences were observed in plasma urea-N and milk urea-N concentrations. Additionally, dietary inclusion of B-DDGS compared with W-DDGS did not affect rumen-degradable protein supply, omasal flows of total N, microbial nonammonia N (NAN), rumen-undegradable protein, and total NAN, or urea-N recycling kinetics and milk production. However, cows fed the low-CP diet had lower N intake, rumen-degradable protein supply, ruminal NH₃-N concentration, and omasal flows of N, microbial NAN, and total NAN compared with those fed the high-CP diet. Feeding the low-CP compared with the high-CP diet also resulted in lower endogenous urea-N production, urea-N recycled to the gastrointestinal tract, and urea-N excretion in urine. In summary, our results indicate that both W-DDGS and B-DDGS can be included as the major protein sources in dairy cow diets without compromising nutrient supply and production performance. However, feeding the low-CP diet lowered omasal flows of microbial protein and metabolizable protein, which, in turn, resulted in lower milk production compared with feeding the high-CP diet.     

The effects of rumen nitrogen balance on nutrient intake,nitrogen partitioning,and microbial protein synthesis in lactating dairy cows offered different dietary protein sources

The aim was to study the effects of rumen N balance (RNB), dietary protein source, and their interaction on feed intake, N partitioning, and rumen microbial crude protein (MCP) synthesis in lactating dairy cows. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were included in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design comprising four 20-d periods, each with 12 d of adaptation to the experimental diets and 8 d of sampling. The dietary treatments followed a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (i.e., 4 treatments) with 2 main protein sources [faba bean grain (FB) and SoyPass (SP; Beweka Kraftfutterwerk GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany)] offered at 2 dietary RNB levels each [0 g/kg of dry matter, DM (RNB0) and ?3.2 g/kg of DM (RNB?)]. The RNB was calculated as the difference between dietary crude protein (CP) intake and the rumen outflow of undegraded feed CP and MCP and divided by 6.25. Composition of concentrate mixtures was adjusted to create diets with desired RNB levels. Each of these protein sources supplied ≥35% of total dietary CP. Both diets for each protein source were isoenergetic but differed in CP concentrations. The DM intake (kg/d) was lower for RNB? than for RNB0 in diets containing FB, whereas no differences were seen between the RNB levels for SP diets. The RNB? decreased N intake and urinary N excretion but increased milk N use efficiency in both FB and SP diets, with greater differences between the RNB levels for FB diets than for SP diets. Similarly, duodenal MCP synthesis (g/kg of digestible organic matter intake) estimated from purine derivatives in the urine was lower for RNB? than for RNB0 in FB diets but similar between the RNB levels in diets containing SP. Low RNB of approximately ?65 g/d (approximately ?3.2 g/kg of DM) in diets reduced feed intake, N balance, and performance in high-yielding dairy cows with possibly more pronounced effects in diets containing rapidly degradable protein sources.     

Effects of feeding grass or red clover silage cut at two maturity stages in dairy cows. 1. Nitrogen metabolism and supply of amino acids

This study investigated the effects of plant species (red clover vs. timothy-meadow fescue) and forage maturity at primary harvest (early vs. late cut silage) on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion, and nitrogen metabolism including omasal canal AA flow and plasma AA concentration in lactating cows. Five dairy cows equipped with rumen cannulas were used in a study designed as a 5 × 5 Latin square with 21-d periods. The diets consisted of early-cut and late-cut grass and red clover silage, respectively, and a mixture of late-cut grass and early-cut red clover silages given ad libitum with 9 kg/d of a standard concentrate. Grass silage dry matter intake tended to decrease but that of red clover silages tended to increase with advancing maturity. Milk yields were unchanged among treatments, milk protein and fat concentrations being lower for red clover than for grass silage diets. Rumen fluid pH was unchanged but volatile fatty acid and ammonia concentrations were higher for red clover than for grass silage diets. Intake of N, and omasal canal flows of total nonammonia N (NAN), microbial NAN, and dietary NAN were higher for red clover than for grass silage diets but were not affected by forage maturity. However, microbial NAN flow and amount of N excreted in the feces decreased with advancing maturity for grass diets but increased for red clover diets. Apparent ruminal N degradability of the diets was unchanged, but true ruminal N degradability decreased and efficiency of microbial synthesis increased with red clover diets compared with grass silage diets. Omasal canal flows of AA, except those for Met and Cys, were on average 20% higher for red clover than grass silage diets. Omasal canal digesta concentrations of Leu, Phe, branched-chain, and essential AA were higher but those of Met lower for red clover than for grass silage diets. Plasma AA concentrations, except for His (unchanged) and Met (lower), were higher for red clover than for grass diets. However, none of these AA-related variables were affected by forage maturity. Total digestibility of N and excretion of N in the urine were higher for red clover than for grass diets and decreased with advancing maturity. It was concluded that despite the higher total AA supply of cows fed red clover versus grass silage diets, further milk production responses on red clover diets were compromised by an inadequate supply of Met as evidenced by lower Met concentration in the AA profile of omasal digesta and plasma.     

Utilization of protein in red clover and alfalfa silages by lactating dairy cows and growing lambs

Feeding trials were conducted with lactating cows and growing lambs to quantify effects of replacing dietary alfalfa silage (AS) with red clover silage (RCS) on nutrient utilization. The lactation trial had a 2 × 4 arrangement of treatments: AS or RCS fed with no supplement, rumen-protected Met (RPM), rumen-protected Lys (RPL), or RPM plus RPL. Grass silage was fed at 13% of dry matter (DM) with AS to equalize dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein contents. All diets contained (DM basis) 5% corn silage and 16% crude protein. Thirty-two multiparous (4 ruminally cannulated) plus 16 primiparous Holstein cows were blocked by parity and days in milk and fed diets as total mixed rations in an incomplete 8 × 8 Latin square trial with four 28-d periods. Production data (over the last 14 d of each period) and digestibility and excretion data (at the end of each period) were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Although DM intake was 1.2 kg/d greater on AS than RCS, milk yield and body weight gain were not different. However, yields of fat and energy-corrected milk as well as milk content of fat, true protein, and solids-not-fat were greater on AS. Relative to AS, feeding RCS increased milk and energy-corrected milk yield per unit of DM intake, milk lactose content, and apparent N efficiency and reduced milk urea. Relative to AS, apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, NDF, and acid detergent fiber were greater on RCS, whereas apparent and estimated true N digestibility were lower. Urinary N excretion and ruminal concentrations of ammonia, total AA, and branched-chain volatile fatty acids were reduced on RCS, indicating reduced ruminal protein degradation. Supplementation of RPM increased intake, milk true protein, and solids-not-fat content and tended to increase milk fat content. There were no silage × RPM interactions, suggesting that RPM was equally limiting on both AS and RCS. Supplementation of RPL did not influence any production trait; however, a significant silage × RPL interaction was detected for intake: RPL reduced intake of AS diets but increased intake of RCS diets. Duplicated metabolism trials were conducted with lambs confined to metabolism crates and fed only silage. After adaptation, collections of silage refusals and excreta were made during ad libitum feeding followed by feeding DM restricted to 2% of body weight. Intake of DM was not different when silages were fed ad libitum. Apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, NDF, and hemicellulose was greater in lambs fed RCS on both ad libitum and restricted intake; however, acid detergent fiber digestibility was only greater at restricted intake. Apparent and estimated true N digestibility was substantially lower, and N retention was reduced, on RCS. Results confirmed greater DM and fiber digestibility in ruminants and N efficiency in cows fed RCS. Specific loss of Lys bioavailability on RCS was not observed. Based on milk composition, Met was the first-limiting AA on both silages; however, Met was not limiting based on production and nutrient efficiency. Depressed true N digestibility suggested impaired intestinal digestibility of rumen-undegraded protein from RCS.     

Effect of increasing dietary protein with constant lysine:methionine ratio on production and omasal flow of nonammonia nitrogen in lactating dairy cows

Eight lactating cows were fed 4 diets in which dietary crude protein (CP) was increased in steps of approximately 2 percentage units from 11 to 17% of DM by replacing high-moisture corn with soybean meal supplemented with rumen-protected Met to maintain a Lys:Met ratio of 3:1 in metabolizable protein. Trial design was a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square; experimental periods lasted 28 d, with data and sample collection being performed during wk 3 and 4 of each period. Digesta samples were collected from the rumen as well as the omasum to measure metabolite concentrations and ruminal outflow of N fractions using infusion of ¹⁵N-enriched ammonia to quantify microbial nonammonia N (NAN) and nonmicrobial NAN. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). There were linear increases in the yields of milk and true protein and concentration of milk urea N, and a linear decrease in N efficiency, with increasing dietary CP. Apparent ruminal and total-tract N digestibility increased linearly with increasing dietary CP, but estimated true total-tract N digestibility was not affected. Apparent digestibility of the other macronutrients was not influenced by diet. Ruminal ammonia, total AA and peptides, and branched-chain VFA also increased linearly with dietary CP. The ¹⁵N enrichment of liquid- and particle-associated microbes linearly declined with increasing dietary CP due to decreasing ¹⁵N enrichment of the ammonia pool. Although no effect of dietary CP on nonmicrobial NAN flow was detected, total NAN flow increased linearly from 525 g/d at 11% CP to 637 g/d at 17% CP due to the linear increase in microbial NAN flow from 406 g/d at 11% CP to 482 g/d at 17% CP. Under the conditions of this study, when dietary CP was increased by adding soybean meal supplemented with rumen-protected Met, improved milk and protein yields were driven not by RUP supply but by increased ruminal outflow of microbial protein.     

Effect of source of rumen-degraded protein on production and ruminal metabolism in lactating dairy cows

Twenty-eight (8 with ruminal cannulas) lactating Holstein cows were assigned to seven 4 × 4 Latin squares in a 16-wk trial to study the effects on production and ruminal metabolism of feeding differing proportions of rumen-degraded protein (RDP) from soybean meal and urea. Diets contained [dry matter (DM) basis] 40% corn silage, 15% alfalfa silage, 28 to 30% high-moisture corn, plus varying levels of ground dry shelled corn, solvent- and lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal, and urea. Proportions of the soybean meals, urea, and dry corn were adjusted such that all diets contained 16.1% crude protein and 10.5% RDP, with urea providing 0, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.7% RDP (DM basis). As urea supplied greater proportions of RDP, there were linear decreases in DM intake, yield of milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, fat, protein, and solids-not-fat, and of weight gain. Milk contents of fat, protein, and solids-not-fat were not affected by source of RDP. Replacing soybean meal RDP with urea RDP resulted in several linear responses: increased excretion of urinary urea-N and concentration of milk urea-N, blood urea-N, and ruminal ammonia-N and decreased excretion of fecal N; there was also a trend for increased excretion of total urinary N. A linear increase in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, probably due to digestion of NDF-N from lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal, was observed with greater urea intake. Omasal sampling revealed small but significant effects of N source on measured RDP supply, which averaged 11.0% (DM basis) across diets. Increasing the proportion of RDP from urea resulted in linear decrease in omasal flow of dietary nonammonia N (NAN) and microbial NAN and in microbial growth efficiency (microbial NAN/unit of organic matter truly digested in the rumen). These changes were paralleled by large linear reductions in omasal flows of essential, nonessential, and total amino acids. Overall, these results indicated that replacing soybean meal RDP with that from urea reduced yield of milk and milk components, largely because of depressed microbial protein formation in the rumen and that RDP from nonprotein-N sources was not as effective as RDP provided by true protein.     

Effects of essential oils on digestion, ruminal fermentation, rumen microbial populations, milk production, and milk composition in dairy cows fed alfalfa silage or corn silage

Four Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design (28-d periods) with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate the effects of addition of a specific mixture of essential oil compounds (MEO; 0 vs. 750 mg/d) and silage source [alfalfa silage (AS) vs. corn silage (CS)] on digestion, ruminal fermentation, rumen microbial populations, milk production, and milk composition. Total mixed rations containing either AS or CS as the sole forage source were balanced to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. In general, no interactions between MEO addition and silage source were observed. Except for ruminal pH and milk lactose content, which were increased by MEO supplementation, no changes attributable to the administration of MEO were observed for feed intake, nutrient digestibility, end-products of ruminal fermentation, microbial counts, and milk performance. Dry matter intake and milk production were not affected by replacing AS with CS in the diet. However, cows fed CS-based diets produced milk with lower fat and higher protein and urea N concentrations than cows fed AS-based diets. Replacing AS with CS increased the concentration of NH₃-N and reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio in ruminal fluid. Total viable bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, and protozoa were not influenced by MEO supplementation, but the total viable bacteria count was higher with CS- than with AS-based diets. The apparent digestibility of crude protein did not differ between the AS and CS treatments, but digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were lower when cows were fed CS-based diets than when they were fed AS-based diets. Duodenal bacterial N flow, estimated using urinary purine derivatives and the amount of N retained, increased in cows fed CS-based diets compared with those fed AS-based diets. Feeding cows AS increased the milk fat contents of cis-9, trans-11 18:2 (conjugated linoleic acid) and 18:3 (n-3 fatty acid) compared with feeding cows CS. Results from this study showed limited effects of MEO supplementation on nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, and milk performance when cows were fed diets containing either AS or CS as the sole forage source.     

Form of rumen-degradable carbohydrate and nitrogen on microbial protein synthesis and protein efficiency of dairy cows

Sixteen multiparous lactating Holstein cows (four with rumen cannulae) were fed diets varying in the content and form of ruminally degradable carbohydrates and N to examine dietary effects on microbial protein synthesis (MPS) and whole animal N efficiency, and to evaluate the use of a model based on milk urea N (MUN) for predicting urinary N excretion and N utilization efficiency (NUE). A replicated Latin square design (consisting of diet and experimental period) was employed. The four diets consisted of two low protein diets with either 20% ground corn (diet LP) or 13.5% ground corn plus 3% sucrose (diet LP sucrose) and two high protein diets with 13.5% corn and 3% sucrose with either urea (diet HP urea) or soybean meal (diet HP SBM) as supplemental rumen-degradable protein sources. The intakes of dry matter and N were increased by increasing dietary crude protein (CP) level. However, the yields of milk and milk protein were not affected by CP level. Yield of microbial protein was reduced by sucrose and increased by CP level. There were no differences between urea and SBM supplementation on DM intake, milk yield, or MPS. Mean urinary N excretion for all cows (252 g/d) was underestimated by 55 g/d or overestimated by 25 or 33 g/d using alternative equations based on MUN. Subsequently, NUE (mean = 22.4%) was underestimated by 7.5, 3.2, or 2.9%, using a previously published set of equations. Urinary N excretion and NUE could be predicted within 10 and 14% of observed values, respectively, using a set of equations incorporating MUN. Therefore, MUN appears to be a useful tool to help assess N losses from lactating cows.     

Effect of varying dietary ratios of alfalfa silage to corn silage on production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows

Twenty-eight (8 ruminally cannulated) lactating, multiparous Holstein cows were blocked by DIM and randomly assigned to 7 replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares (28-d periods) to investigate the effects of different dietary ratios of alfalfa silage (AS) to corn silage (CS) on production, N utilization, apparent digestibility, and ruminal metabolism. The 4 diets contained (dry matter basis): A) 51% AS, 43% rolled high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), and 3% solvent soybean meal (SSBM); B) 37% AS, 13% CS, 39% HMSC, and 7% SSBM; C) 24% AS, 27% CS, 35% HMSC, and 12% SSBM; and D) 10% AS, 40% CS, 31% HMSC, and 16% SSBM. Dietary crude protein contents were 17.2, 16.9, 16.6, and 16.2% for diets A, B, C, and D. All 4 diets were high in energy, averaging 49% nonfiber carbohydrates and 24% neutral detergent fiber. Intake of dry matter, yield of milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk and fat, milk fat content, and apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber all decreased linearly when CS replaced AS. Effects on fiber digestion and milk fat may have been due to increasing fluctuation in ruminal pH and time the pH remained <6.0 when CS replaced AS. Milk protein content increased linearly with increasing CS, but there were no differences in protein yield. There were linear increases in apparent N efficiency and decreases in N excreted in urine and feces when CS replaced AS. Production was depressed on the diet highest in CS. Quadratic analysis indicated that milk and protein yields were maximal at dietary AS:CS ratios of, respectively, 37:13 and 31:19. No diet minimized N excretion without negatively affecting production. Diet C, with an AS:CS ratio of 24:27, was the best compromise between improved N efficiency and sustained production. Because CS is complementary with AS, it is recommended that CS be fed in AS-based diets to maintain milk yield while improving N utilization.     

Replacing corn silage with different forage millet silage cultivars: Effects on milk yield,nutrient digestion,and ruminal fermentation of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of dietary replacement of corn silage (CS) with 2 cultivars of forage millet silages [i.e., regular millet (RM) and sweet millet (SM)] on milk production, apparent total-tract digestibility, and ruminal fermentation characteristics of dairy cows. Fifteen lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square experiment and fed (ad libitum) a high-forage total mixed ration (68:32 forage:concentrate ratio). Dietary treatments included CS (control), RM, and SM diets. Experimental silages constituted 37% of each diet DM. Three ruminally fistulated cows were used to determine the effect of dietary treatments on ruminal fermentation and total-tract nutrient utilization. Relative to CS, RM and SM silages contained 36% more crude protein, 66% more neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 88% more acid detergent fiber. Cows fed CS consumed more dry matter (DM; 24.4 vs. 22.7 kg/d) and starch (5.7 vs. 3.7 kg/d), but less NDF (7.9 vs. 8.7 kg/d) than cows fed RM or SM. However, DM, starch and NDF intakes were not different between forage millet silage types. Feeding RM relative to CS reduced milk yield (32.7 vs. 35.2 kg/d), energy-corrected milk (35.8 vs. 38.0 kg/d) and SCM (32.7 vs. 35.3 kg/d). However, cows fed SM had similar milk, energy-corrected milk, and solids-corrected milk yields than cows fed CS or RM. Milk efficiency was not affected by dietary treatments. Milk protein concentration was greatest for cows fed CS, intermediate for cows fed SM, and lowest for cows fed RM. Milk concentration of solids-not-fat was lesser, whereas milk urea nitrogen was greater for cows fed RM than for those fed CS. However, millet silage type had no effect on milk solids-not-fat and milk urea nitrogen levels. Concentrations of milk fat, lactose and total solids were not affected by silage type. Ruminal pH and ruminal NH₃-N were greater for cows fed RM and SM than for cows fed CS. Total-tract digestibility of DM (average = 67.9%), NDF (average = 53.9%), crude protein (average = 63.3%), and gross energy (average = 67.9%) were not influenced by dietary treatments. It was concluded that cows fed CS performed better than those fed RM or SM likely due to the higher starch and lower NDF intakes. However, no major differences were noted between the 2 forage millet silage cultivars.     

Feeding lower-protein diets based on red clover and grass or alfalfa and corn silage does not affect milk production but improves nitrogen use efficiency in dairy cows

Reducing the dietary crude protein (CP) concentration can decrease the financial cost and lower the environmental impact of milk production. Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of reducing the dietary CP concentration on animal performance, nutrient digestibility, milk fatty acid (FA) profile, and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE; milk N/N intake) in dairy cows fed legume silage-based diets. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows that were 76 ± 14 (mean ± SD) days in milk and 698 ± 54 kg body weight were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design in each of 2 studies, with 3 periods of 28 d. In study 1, cows were fed diets based on a 50:50 ratio of red clover to grass silage [dry matter (DM) basis] containing 1 of 3 dietary CP concentrations: high (H) = 175 g of CP/kg of DM; medium (M) = 165 g of CP/kg of DM; or low (L) = 150 g of CP/kg of DM. In study 2, cows were fed 175 g of CP/kg of DM with a 50:50 ratio of alfalfa to corn silage (H50) or 1 of 2 diets containing 150 g of CP/kg of DM with either a 50:50 (L50) or a 60:40 (L60) ratio of alfalfa to corn silage. Cows in both studies were fed a total mixed ration with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 52:48 (DM basis). All diets were formulated to meet the MP requirements, except L (95% of MP requirements). In study 1, cows fed L ate 1.6 kg of DM/d less than those fed H or M, but milk yield was similar across treatments. Mean milk protein, fat, and lactose concentrations were not affected by diet. However, the apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility was decreased in cows fed L. The NUE was 5.7 percentage units higher in cows fed L than H. Feeding L also decreased milk and plasma urea concentrations by 4.4 mg/dL and 0.78 mmol/L, respectively. We found no effect of dietary treatment on the milk saturated or monounsaturated FA proportion, but the proportion of polyunsaturated FA was increased, and milk odd- and branched-chain FA decreased in cows fed L compared with H. In study 2, DM intake was 2 kg/d lower in cows receiving L50 than H50. Increasing the alfalfa content and feeding a low-CP diet (L60) did not alter DMI but decreased milk yield and milk protein concentration by 2 kg/d and 0.6 g/kg, respectively, compared with H50. Likewise, milk protein and lactose yield were decreased by 0.08 kg/d in cows receiving L60 versus H50. Diet had no effect on apparent nutrient digestibility. Feeding the low-CP diets compared with H50 increased the apparent NUE by approximately 5 percentage units and decreased milk and plasma urea concentrations by 7.2 mg/dL and 1.43 mmol/L, respectively. Dietary treatment did not alter milk FA profile except cis-9,trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, which was higher in milk from cows receiving L60 compared with H50. We concluded that reducing CP concentration to around 150 g/kg of DM in red clover and grass or alfalfa and corn silage-based diets increases the apparent NUE and has little effect on nutrient digestibility or milk performance in dairy cows.     

Effects of tallow in diets based on corn silage or alfalfa silage on digestion and nutrient use by lactating dairy cows

Six multiparous Holstein cows (average 31 days in milk; 36.3 kg/d of milk) fitted with ruminal cannulas were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square with 21-d periods to investigate the effects of diets that varied in forage source and amount of supplemental tallow. Isonitrogenous diets in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement were based on either high corn silage (40:10 corn silage to alfalfa silage, % of dry matter) or high alfalfa silage (10:40 corn silage to alfalfa silage, % of dry matter) and contained 0, 2, or 4% tallow. Intakes of dry matter and total fatty acids were lower when cows were fed the high corn silage diet. Tallow supplementation linearly decreased dry matter intake. Milk yield was unaffected by diet; yields of milk fat and 3.5% fat-corrected milk were higher for the high alfalfa silage diet but were unaffected by tallow. Milk fat percentage was higher for the high alfalfa silage and tended to decrease when tallow was added to the high corn silage diet. Contents of trans-C18:1 isomers in milk fat were increased by high corn silage and tallow, and tended to be increased more when tallow was fed in the high corn silage diet. Ruminal pH and acetate:propionate were lower when high corn silage was fed. Ruminal acetate:propionate decreased linearly as tallow increased; the molar proportion of acetate was decreased more when tallow was added to the high corn silage diet. Ruminal liquid dilution rates were higher for the alfalfa silage diet; ruminal volume and solid passage rates were similar among diets. Total tract apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, starch, energy, and total fatty acids were unaffected by diet. Digestibilities of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and cellulose were lower when high corn silage was fed. The high alfalfa silage diet increased intakes of metabolizable energy and N, and increased milk energy and productive N. Tallow decreased the amount of N absorbed but had few other effects on utilization of energy or N. Tallow linearly increased concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and cholesterol in plasma; cholesterol was increased by high alfalfa silage. Overall, forage source had more pronounced effects on production and metabolism than did tallow supplementation. Few interactions between forage source and tallow supplementation were detected except that ruminal fermentation and milk fat content were affected more negatively when tallow was fed in the high corn silage diet.     

Effect of dietary level of rumen-degraded protein on production and nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows

Twenty-eight (8 with ruminal cannulas) lactating Holstein cows were assigned to 4 × 4 Latin squares and fed diets with different levels of rumen-degraded protein (RDP) to study the effect of RDP on production and N metabolism. Diets contained [dry matter (DM) basis] 37% corn silage, 13% alfalfa silage, and 50% concentrate. The concentrate contained solvent and lignosulfonate-treated soybean meal and urea, and was adjusted to provide RDP at: 13.2, 12.3, 11.7, and 10.6% of DM in diets A to D, respectively. Intake of DM and yield of milk, fat-corrected milk, and fat were not affected by treatments. Dietary RDP had positive linear effects on milk true protein content and microbial non-ammonia N (NAN) flow at the omasal canal, and a quadratic effect on true protein yield, with maximal protein production at 12.3% RDP. However, dietary RDP had a positive linear effect on total N excretion, with urinary N accounting for most of the increase, and a negative linear effect on environmental N efficiency (kg of milk produced per kg of N excreted). Therefore, a compromise between profitability and environmental quality was achieved at a dietary RDP level of 11.7% of DM. Observed microbial NAN flow and RDP supply were higher and RUP flow was lower than those predicted by the NRC (2001) model. The NRC (2001) model overpredicted production responses to RUP compared with the results in this study. Replacing default NRC degradation rates for protein supplements with rates measured in vivo resulted in similar observed and predicted values, suggesting that in situ degradation rates used by the NRC are slower than apparent rates in this study.     

Inclusion of wheat and triticale silage in the diet of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to partially replace corn silage with 2 alternative forages, wheat (Triticum aestivum) or triticale (X Triticosecale) silages at 10% of the diet dry matter (DM), and investigate the effects on dairy cow productivity, nutrient utilization, enteric CH₄ emissions, and farm income over feed costs. Wheat and triticale were planted in the fall as cover crops and harvested in the spring at the boot stage. Neutral- and acid-detergent fiber and lignin concentrations were higher in the wheat and triticale silages compared with corn silage. The forages had similar ruminal in situ effective degradability of DM. Both alternative forages had 1% starch or less compared with the approximately 35% starch in corn silage. Diets with the alternative forages were fed in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with three 28-d periods and 12 Holstein cows. The control diet contained 44% (DM basis) corn silage. In the other 2 diets, wheat or triticale silages were included at 10% of dietary DM, replacing corn silage. Dry matter intake was not affected by diet, but both wheat and triticale silage decreased yield of milk (41.4 and 41.2 vs. 42.7 ± 5.18 kg/d) and milk components, compared with corn silage. Milk fat from cows fed the alternative forage diets contained higher concentrations of 4:0, 6:0, and 18:0 and tended to have lower concentrations of total trans fatty acids. Apparent total-tract digestibility of DM and organic matter was decreased in the wheat silage diet, and digestibility of neutral-and acid-detergent fiber was increased in the triticale silage diet. The wheat and triticale silage diets resulted in higher excretion of urinary urea, higher milk urea N, and lower milk N efficiency compared with the corn silage diet. Enteric CH₄ emission per kilogram of energy-corrected milk was highest in the triticale silage diet, whereas CO₂ emission was decreased by both wheat and triticale silage. This study showed that, at milk production of around 42 kg/d, wheat silage and triticale silage can partially replace corn silage DM and not affect DM intake, but milk yield may decrease slightly. For dairy farms in need of more forage, triticale or wheat double cropped with corn silage may be an appropriate cropping strategy.     

Effects of different protein supplements on milk production and nutrient utilization in lactating dairy cows

Sixteen (8 ruminally cannulated) multiparous and 8 primiparous lactating Holstein cows were used in 6 replicated 4 × 4 Latin squares to test the effects of feeding supplemental protein as urea, solvent soybean meal (SSBM), cottonseed meal (CSM), or canola meal (CM) on milk production, nutrient utilization, and ruminal metabolism. All diets contained (% of DM) 21% alfalfa silage and 35% corn silage plus 1) 2% urea plus 41% high-moisture shelled corn (HMSC), 2) 12% SSBM plus 31% HMSC, 3) 14% CSM plus 29% HMSC, or 4) 16% CM plus 27% HMSC. Crude protein was equal across diets, averaging 16.6%. Intake and production were substantially reduced, and milk urea, blood urea, and ruminal ammonia were increased on urea vs. the diets supplemented with true protein. Although intake was lower in cows fed SSBM compared with CM, no differences were observed for milk yield among SSBM, CSM, and CM. Yields of fat and protein both were lower on CSM than on CM, whereas SSBM was intermediate. Milk urea and milk protein contents also decreased when CSM replaced SSBM or CM. Diet did not affect ruminal volatile fatty acids except that isobutyrate concentration was lowest on urea, intermediate on CSM, and greatest on SSBM and CM. Urinary excretion of urea N and total N was greatest on urea, intermediate on SSBM and CM, and lowest on CSM. Apparent N efficiency (milk N/N intake) was lower on the CSM diet than on the SSBM diet. Overall, production and N utilization were compromised when the diets of high-yielding dairy cows were supplemented with urea rather than true protein and the value of the true proteins, from most to least effective, was in the order CM > SSBM > CSM.     

Effects of a commercial fermentation byproduct or urea on milk production,rumen metabolism,and omasal flow of nutrients in lactating dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a fermentation byproduct on rumen fermentation and microbial yield in high producing lactating dairy cattle. Eight ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows averaging (mean ± standard deviation) 60 ± 10 d in milk and 637 ± 38 kg of body weight were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment sequences in a switchback design. Treatment diets contained (dry matter basis) 44% corn silage, 13% alfalfa silage, 12% ground corn, and 31% premix containing either a control mix of urea and wheat middlings (CON) or a commercial fermentation byproduct meal (Fermenten, Arm and Hammer Animal Nutrition, Princeton, NJ) at 3% diet inclusion rate (EXP). Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric, with similar levels of neutral detergent fiber and starch. The trial consisted of three 28-d experimental periods, where each period consisted of 21 d of diet adaptation and 7 d of data and sample collection. Omasal nutrient flows were determined using a triple-marker technique and double-labeled ¹⁵N¹⁵N-urea. The EXP diet provided 18 g/d more nonammonia N versus the CON diet, representing 3.0% of total N intake. Energy-corrected milk yield (41.7 and 43.1 kg/d for CON and EXP, respectively), milk fat, and protein yield and content did not differ between treatments. Total dry matter intake was similar between treatments (25.5 and 26.4 kg/d for CON and EXP, respectively). Ammonia N concentration and pool size in the rumen was greater in cows fed the EXP diet. No differences were observed in rumen or total-tract dry matter, organic matter, or neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Ruminal degradation of feed N was 15% lower in cows fed EXP diets, resulting in differences in omasal N flows. Results demonstrated the fermentation byproduct meal had a sparing effect on degradable feed protein, but did not increase microbial N flow from the rumen.     

Effect of alfalfa silage storage structure and roasting corn on production and ruminal metabolism of lactating dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine if feeding roasted corn would improve production and nutrient utilization when supplemented to lactating cows fed 1 of 3 different alfalfa silages (AS). Forty-two lactating Holstein cows (6 fitted with ruminal cannulas) averaging 77 d in milk and 43 kg of milk/d pretrial were assigned to 2 cyclic changeover designs. Treatments were AS ensiled in bag, bunker, or O₂-limiting tower silos and supplemented with ground shelled corn (GSC) or roasted GSC (RGSC). Silages were prepared from second-cutting alfalfa, field-wilted an average of 24 h, and ensiled over 2 d. Production and N utilization were evaluated in 36 cows during four 28-d periods, and ruminal fermentation was evaluated with 6 cows during five 21-d periods. Experimental diets contained 40% AS, 15% corn silage, and 35% of either GSC or RGSC on a dry matter basis. No significant interactions between AS and corn sources were detected for any production trait. Although the chemical composition of the 3 AS was similar, feeding AS from the O₂-limited tower silo elicited positive production responses. Yields of 3.5% fat-corrected milk and fat were increased 1.7 kg/d and 150 g/d, and milk fat content was increased 0.3% when cows were fed diets based on AS from the O₂-limiting silo compared with the other 2 silages. The responses in milk fat were paralleled by an average increase in acid detergent fiber digestibility of 270 g/d for cows fed AS from the O₂-limiting tower silo. However, ruminal concentrations of lipogenic volatile fatty acids were unchanged with AS source. Cows fed RGSC consumed 0.6 kg/d more dry matter and yielded 30 g/d more protein and 50 g/d more lactose than cows fed GSC diets. There was no evidence of increased total tract digestibility of organic matter or starch, or reduced ruminal NH₃ concentration, when feeding RGSC. Free amino acids increased, and isovalerate decreased in rumen fluid from cows fed RGSC diets. However, responses in production with roasted corn were mainly due to increased dry matter intake, which increased the supply of energy and nutrients available for synthesis of milk and milk components.