Production effects of feeding extruded soybean meal to early-lactation dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate productive and reproductive effects of replacing solvent-extracted soybean meal (SSBM) with extruded soybean meal (ESBM) in a total mixed ration for early-lactation dairy cows. Thirty-four Holstein cows (12 primiparous and 22 multiparous) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment with 17 cows per treatment. Feeding was ad libitum for 5 to 10% refusals. A fresh-cow diet was fed the first 21 d in milk followed by a lactation diet from 22 to 60 d in milk. Milk and dry matter intake data were collected throughout the experiment, and samples were collected for blood chemistry and amino acid profile, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and enteric methane emission using the GreenFeed system (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). Dry matter intake, milk yield, and feed efficiency were not different between SSBM and ESBM. Energy-corrected milk yield and efficiency were also not different between diets. Diet had no effect on milk composition, except that milk true protein yield was decreased by ESBM. Enteric methane emission, yield, and intensity were not different between SSBM and ESBM. Because of its greater fat content, ESBM triggered expected changes in milk fatty acid (FA) profile: decreased sum of C16, saturated, and odd- and branched-chain FA and increased sum of preformed FA, polyunsaturated, and trans FA. The ESBM diet increased or tended to increase some essential amino acids in plasma. In this study, ESBM did not affect dry matter intake and did not improve lactational performance or onset of ovarian function in early-lactation dairy cows, and it decreased milk protein yield, possibly due to greater unsaturated FA intake compared with SSBM.     

Production effects of extruded soybean meal replacing canola meal in the diet of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of extruded soybean meal (ESBM) in comparison with canola meal (CM) fed on an equivalent crude protein (CP) basis on lactational performance and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows. Following a 2-wk covariate period, 48 Holstein cows averaging (±SD): 146 ± 46 d in milk (DIM) and 43 ± 7 kg/d milk yield (MY) were assigned 1 of 2 treatment diets in a randomized complete block design experiment, which included a 2-wk period for dietary treatment adaptation before experimental data were collected. Following the adaptation period, samples and experimental data were collected for a total of 7 wk. Cows were blocked based on parity, DIM, and MY. Treatment diets contained 15.8% CM (containing 41.2% CP) or 13.2% ESBM (with 48.7% CP) of total mixed ration dry matter (DM), with similar inclusion of other feed ingredients. The CM diet was supplemented with canola oil, whereas the ESBM diet was supplemented with soybean hulls to achieve similar ether extract and neutral detergent fiber contents between the diets. Urea and rumen-protected Met and Lys were added to both diets to meet or exceed cow recommendations. Whole-ruminal digesta samples were collected from 10 (5 per treatment) ruminally cannulated cows. Eight cannulated cows were removed during the last week of the experiment to participate in another study. Treatment did not affect DM intake and MY or energy-corrected MY of the cows. Energy-corrected MY, apart from experimental wk 5, was similar between treatments. Apart from experimental wk 3 and 7, milk fat concentration and yield were greater for cows fed ESBM compared with CM. In multiparous cows only, milk true protein yield was greater for cows fed CM compared with ESBM. Ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and the molar proportion of acetate were greater for ESBM, and propionate and valerate were greater in cows fed CM. Acetate to propionate ratio was greater for cows fed ESBM versus CM diet. Compared with the CM diet, the ESBM diet increased plasma concentrations of Ile, Leu, and Phe but not the sum of essential AA. Apparent total-tract digestibility of acid detergent fiber was greater in cows fed ESBM relative to CM. In this experiment, CM and ESBM included on an equal CP basis in the diet of dairy cows, resulted in similar DM intake, MY, and feed efficiency.     

Effects of replacing soybean meal with canola meal or treated canola meal on ruminal digestion,omasal nutrient flow,and performance in lactating dairy cows

Extrusion treated canola meal (TCM) was produced in an attempt to increase the rumen-undegraded protein fraction of canola meal (CM). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with CM or TCM on ruminal digestion, omasal nutrient flow, and performance in lactating dairy cows. To assess performance, 30 multiparous Holstein cows averaging (mean ± SD) 119 ± 23 d in milk and 44 ± 7 kg of milk/d and 15 primiparous cows averaging 121 ± 19 d in milk and 34 ± 6 kg of milk/d were blocked in a randomized complete block design with a 2-wk covariate period and 12-wk experimental period (experiment 1). Dietary ingredients differed only in protein supplements, which were SBM, CM, or TCM. All diets were formulated to contain (dry matter basis) 30% alfalfa silage, 30% corn silage, 4% soy hulls, 2.4% mineral-vitamin premix, and 16% CP. The SBM diet contained 25% high-moisture shelled corn and 8.6% SBM; the canola diets contained 22% high-moisture shelled corn and either 11.2% CM or 11.4% TCM. To assess ruminal digestion and omasal nutrient flow, 6 rumen-cannulated cows were blocked into 2 squares of 3 cows and randomly assigned within blocks to the same 3 dietary treatments as in experiment 1 in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (experiment 2). Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Orthogonal contrasts were used to compare effects of different protein supplements: SBM versus CM + TCM and CM versus TCM. In experiment 1, compared with SBM, apparent total-tract digestibilities of dry matter and nutrients were greater in cows fed both CM diets, and there was a tendency for nutrient digestibilities to be higher in cows fed CM compared with TCM. Diets did not affect milk yield and milk components; however, both canola diets decreased urinary urea N (% of total urinary N), fecal N (% of total N intake), and milk urea N concentration. In experiment 2, compared with SBM, both canola diets increased N intake and tended to increase rumen-degraded protein supply (kg/d) and N truly digested in the rumen (kg/d). Diets did not affect ruminal digestibility, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, and rumen-undegraded protein flow among diets. Results from this experiment indicate that replacing SBM with CM or TCM in diets of lactating cows improved digestibility and may reduce environmental impact. Moreover, under the conditions of the present study, treating CM by extrusion did not improve CM utilization.     

Effects of the method of conservation of timothy on nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows

Six ruminally and duodenally cannulated lactating primiparous Holstein cows were used to study the effects of different methods of conservation of timothy on N metabolism. Cows were assigned randomly to 2 replicated 3 × 3 Latin squares (35-d periods). Because of missing data from 2 cows, data were analyzed as a 3 × 4 Youden square. Diets contained a similar concentrate (44% of total ration on a dry matter basis) plus first-cut timothy conserved as hay, or as restrictively (formic) or extensively fermented silage (inoc). Crude protein contents were 10.4, 13.6, and 14.8% for hay, formic, and inoc, respectively. Hay and formic had a high soluble carbohydrate content (≥8.0% of dry matter) and formic and inoc had a high soluble protein content (≥8.0% of dry matter). Haying and restricting fermentation resulted in increased efficiency of partition to milk N (30.9, 28.2, 24.7% of N intake for hay, formic, and inoc, respectively). Despite a 14% lower N intake with hay, no effects of treatments were detected on microbial protein synthesis and apparent intestinal digestion of essential AA. Haying reduced feed protein degradation in the rumen, whereas this effect was not observed when restricting fermentation in the silage. Haying and restricting fermentation induced a lipogenic fermentation pattern in the rumen (4.55, 4.23, and 3.78 ratio of acetate to propionate for hay, formic, and inoc), but no effects on milk fat yield and plasma glucose were observed. Whole-body protein metabolism was unaffected by treatments.     

Effects of dietary alpha-amylase on metabolism and performance of transition dairy cows

Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows [body weight, 759 kg (SD = 30 kg); body condition score, 3.2 (SD = 0.13)] were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effect of feeding α-amylase during the transition period on rumen fermentation, key metabolic indicators, and lactation performance. Cows were assigned to either a control diet or the control diet supplemented with α-amylase (662 fungal amylase units per gram, AMA) at 0.1% of diet dry matter (DM). Experimental diets were fed from 21 d before expected calving through 21 d in milk. From 22 to 70 d in milk, all cows were fed a similar lactation cow diet. Average pre- and postpartum DM intakes were 12.4 and 17.8 kg/d, respectively, and did not differ between treatments; however, DM intakes during the last week prepartum decreased to a greater degree in AMA than control cows compared with wk −2. Supplementing diets with α-amylase tended to increase proportions of ruminal butyrate prepartum but not postpartum. Treatment differences were not detected for concentrations of insulin in plasma and lipid and glycogen in liver tissue. Prepartum, concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids were increased in cows fed AMA compared with the control diet. Postpartum, concentrations of glucose in plasma tended to be increased by feeding AMA. Increased plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and nonesterified fatty acids pre- but not postpartum and a tendency for increased plasma glucose postpartum demonstrate shifting reliance from lipid- to carbohydrate-based metabolism postpartum in cows fed α-amylase.     

Effects of feeding time on nitrogen capture by lactating dairy cows grazing rye pasture

The objective of this experiment was to determine whether varying times at which a partial mixed ration was fed, either before or after grazing, affected N utilization from rye pasture and thus affected milk yield and components. Sixteen Holstein cows were fed a partial mixed ration (PMR) either at 0700, 0830, or 1100 h. Cows were milked at 0900 h and turned out to graze at 0930 h. Treatments represented feeding times 2.5 h and 1 h before grazing and immediately after grazing. The study was conducted as a 3 x 3 Latin square with three 17-d periods. There were no significant differences among treatments for pasture intake or yield of milk or milk components. Milk yield, fat %, and protein % were 29.4, 29.6, and 29.3 kg, 3.5, 3.5, and 3.4%, and 3.4, 3.5, and 3.4% for treatments, respectively. The milk urea levels were 15.6, 15.1, and 15.5 mg/dl, and were not different among treatments. Blood samples were collected on the last day of each period at 0645, 0845, 1045, 1200, and 1400 h. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was measured as an indicator of ruminal N capture. Concentrations were not significantly different among diets before grazing; however, they were significantly different among all treatments approximately 1 h after cows were removed from pasture. Cows fed at 0700 h, 2 h before grazing, maintained lower BUN levels across the 7 h during which the blood samples were collected. Cows that ate the PMR immediately after grazing maintained the highest BUN. Feeding a PMR to cows that graze at different times before and after grazing affected the capture of ruminal N, as indicated by differences in the levels of BUN, but there was no effect on yield of milk or milk components.     

Performance of dairy cows fed diets formulated at 2 starch concentrations with either canola meal or soybean meal as the protein supplement

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of substituting corn grain with nonforage fiber sources in diets containing soybean meal (SBM) or canola meal (CM) as the primary protein source. Sixteen Holstein cows were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 28 d each. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 protein sources (SBM and CM) and 2 dietary starch concentrations (21 and 27% dry matter, DM). Diets were formulated to contain 16.5% CP, and the 21% starch diets were obtained by replacing corn grain with soybean hulls and beet pulp. Protein source × starch interactions were observed for DM intake (DMI), milk fat and protein concentrations, milk protein yield, milk urea nitrogen, and feed efficiency. Cows fed CM diets had a higher DMI when dietary starch concentration was 27% compared with 21%, but those cows had DMI similar to that of cows on SBM diets regardless of the starch concentration. Milk fat percentage was decreased in cows fed CM with 27% starch compared with cows fed CM with 21% starch and cows fed SBM with 27% starch. Milk protein percentage and yield and milk lactose percentage were least in cows fed CM with 21% starch compared with the other 3 diets, but feed efficiency was greater for cows fed CM with 21% starch. Milk urea nitrogen was least in cows fed CM with 27% starch compared with the other 3 diets. Cows fed diets with 27% starch produced 2.5 kg/d more milk and 1.9 kg/d more energy-corrected milk compared with cows fed 21% starch. Digestibility of DM and organic matter was higher in cows fed SBM diets than in cows on CM diets, and cows fed 27% starch showed greater DM and organic matter digestibility than cows on 21% starch. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was greater in diets with SBM than in those with CM. Molar proportion of acetate was the lowest for cows fed CM with 21% starch compared with cows fed SBM with 21% starch, with the remaining cows fed being intermediate and similar. However, propionate was highest for cows fed CM with 21% starch than for cows fed SBM with 21% starch, but the remaining treatments were intermediate and similar. Isobutyrate was greater for cows fed CM with 21% starch, which resulted in the lowest acetate:propionate ratio compared with cows fed the remaining treatments. Overall, we confirmed that the interaction of protein with starch in CM diets can sustain similar cow performance as with the SBM diets. Those making decisions about starch concentration and protein source should consider feed price when SBM or CM and different starch levels are being formulated in diets for lactating dairy cows.     

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.     

Effects of injectable calcitriol on mineral metabolism and postpartum health and performance in dairy cows

Objectives were to determine the effects of an injectable formulation of calcitriol on Ca concentration, risk of clinical diseases, and performance in dairy cows. Cows were blocked by lactation number (1 vs. >1) and calving sequence and, within block, assigned randomly within 6 h of calving to receive subcutaneously vehicle only (CON, n = 450) or 200 (CAL200, n = 450) or 300 μg of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (CAL300, n = 450). Cows were fed the same acidogenic diet prepartum. Blood was sampled before treatment administration and again during the first 11 d postpartum and analyzed for concentrations of ionized Ca (iCa), total Ca (tCa), Mg (tMg), and P (tP), β-hydroxybutyrate, carboxylated osteocalcin (cOC), and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (uOC). Cows were evaluated for diseases in the first 60 d postpartum. Reproduction and survival were monitored for the first 300 d postpartum. Calcitriol increased concentration of blood iCa (CON = 1.12 vs. CAL200 = 1.23 vs. CAL300 = 1.27 mM), plasma tCa (CON = 2.29 vs. CAL200 = 2.44 vs. CAL300 = 2.46 mM), and plasma tP (CON = 1.72 vs. CAL200 = 2.21 vs. CAL300 = 2.28 mM), and differences were observed during the first 5 d postpartum for iCa and tCa, and the first 7 d postpartum for tP. Concentrations of tMg were lower in calcitriol-treated cows than in CON cows (CON = 0.81 vs. CAL200 = 0.78 vs. CAL300 = 0.75 mM), and differences were observed during the first 5 d postpartum. Calcitriol increased plasma concentrations of cOC (CON = 14.5 vs. CAL200 = 23.0 vs. CAL300 = 19.8 ng/mL) and uOC (CON = 1.6 vs. CAL200 = 3.4 vs. CAL300 = 2.6 ng/mL). Prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia was less in calcitriol-treated cows (CON = 19.0 vs. CAL200 = 4.7 vs. CAL300 = 9.3%); however, benefits on health were only observed in overconditioned cows (n = 270/1,350). Calcitriol reduced incidence of retained placenta (CON = 14.3 vs. CAL200 = 5.1 vs. CAL300 = 5.9%), puerperal metritis (CON = 12.7 vs. CAL200 = 6.1 vs. CAL300 = 2.5%), and morbidity (CON = 72.1 vs. CAL200 = 57.4 vs. CAL300 = 56.9%) in cows with BCS greater than 3.50, but no benefit on health was observed in cows with BCS equal to or less than 3.50 at parturition. Milk yield did not differ among treatments. Pregnancy at first AI did not differ, but pregnancy rate after the first AI was slower for calcitriol-treated cows because of reduced insemination rate and pregnancy per AI. We found that CAL200 reduced death but increased culling in cows without calving problems. Collectively, results indicate that treatment with calcitriol at parturition was effective in improving concentrations of iCa, tCa, and tP, which reduced the risk of hypocalcemia. Pregnancy rate was reduced by calcitriol treatment, and benefits on health performance were limited to overconditioned cows. Thus, treatment of all cows is not supported, and proper identification of cohorts of cows that benefit from postpartum interventions that increase blood calcitriol or calcium is needed.     

Linseed oil and DGAT1 K232A polymorphism: Effects on methane emission,energy and nitrogen metabolism,lactation performance,ruminal fermentation,and rumen microbial composition of Holstein-Friesian cows

Complex interactions between rumen microbiota, cow genetics, and diet composition may exist. Therefore, the effect of linseed oil, DGAT1 K232A polymorphism (DGAT1), and the interaction between linseed oil and DGAT1 on CH₄ and H₂ emission, energy and N metabolism, lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, and rumen bacterial and archaeal composition was investigated. Twenty-four lactating Holstein-Friesian cows (i.e., 12 with DGAT1 KK genotype and 12 with DGAT1 AA genotype) were fed 2 diets in a crossover design: a control diet and a linseed oil diet (LSO) with a difference of 22 g/kg of dry matter (DM) in fat content between the 2 diets. Both diets consisted of 40% corn silage, 30% grass silage, and 30% concentrates (DM basis). Apparent digestibility, lactation performance, N and energy balance, and CH₄ emission were measured in climate respiration chambers, and rumen fluid samples were collected using the oral stomach tube technique. No linseed oil by DGAT1 interactions were observed for digestibility, milk production and composition, energy and N balance, CH₄ and H₂ emissions, and rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations. The DGAT1 KK genotype was associated with a lower proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk fat, and with a higher milk fat and protein content, and proportion of saturated fatty acids in milk fat compared with the DGAT1 AA genotype, whereas the fat- and protein-corrected milk yield was unaffected by DGAT1. Also, DGAT1 did not affect nutrient digestibility, CH₄ or H₂ emission, ruminal fermentation or ruminal archaeal and bacterial concentrations. Rumen bacterial and archaeal composition was also unaffected in terms of the whole community, whereas at the genus level the relative abundances of some bacterial genera were found to be affected by DGAT1. The DGAT1 KK genotype was associated with a lower metabolizability (i.e., ratio of metabolizable to gross energy intake), and with a tendency for a lower milk N efficiency compared with the DGAT1 AA genotype. The LSO diet tended to decrease CH₄ production (g/d) by 8%, and significantly decreased CH₄ yield (g/kg of DM intake) by 6% and CH₄ intensity (g/kg of fat- and protein-corrected milk) by 11%, but did not affect H₂ emission. The LSO diet also decreased ruminal acetate molar proportion, the acetate to propionate ratio, and the archaea to bacteria ratio, whereas ruminal propionate molar proportion and milk N efficiency increased. Ruminal bacterial and archaeal composition tended to be affected by diet in terms of the whole community, with several bacterial genera found to be significantly affected by diet. These results indicate that DGAT1 does not affect enteric CH₄ emission and production pathways, but that it does affect traits other than lactation characteristics, including metabolizability, N efficiency, and the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium. Additionally, linseed oil reduces CH₄ emission independent of DGAT1 and affects the rumen microbiota and its fermentative activity.     

Effects of intraruminal urea-nitrogen infusions on feed intake,nitrogen utilization,and milk yield in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation of protein deficient diet with increasing amounts of urea-N on feed intake, milk yield, rumen fermentation, and nutrient digestibility in dairy cows. The hypothesis was that low rumen ammonia-N concentrations provide suboptimal conditions for rumen microbes and these conditions can be alleviated by urea-N that increases rumen ammonia-N concentrations. To evaluate this hypothesis, the diet was formulated slightly deficient with respect to rumen-degradable protein. To supplement the diet with rumen degradable N, 5 levels of urea-N (0, 17, 33, 49, and 66 g/d) were continuously infused into the rumen of 5 dairy cows according to a 5 × 5 Latin square. Increasing levels of urea-N infusion increased N intake and N excretion in urine and feces in a linear manner and tended to increase milk and milk protein yields. Feed intake and fiber digestibility were not affected by urea-N infusion levels. Rumen ammonia-N concentrations remained low (3.5 mg/100 mL) and did not respond to urea-N infusions levels between 0 to 49 g/d, whereas the highest level of urea-N (66 g/d) increased rumen ammonia-N concentration to 5.1 mg/100 mL (quadratic effect). These observations suggested that rumen microbes efficiently captured ammonia-N from rumen fluid until sufficient intracellular ammonia-N concentrations were attained, after which ammonia-N concentrations started to increase in extracellular rumen fluid. In contrast, milk urea-N concentrations increased in a curvilinear manner (cubic effect) from 4.4 to around 6 mg/100 mL for the medium levels of urea-N and then to 7.9 mg/100 mL for the highest level of urea-N infusion. The current results indicated that 18% of supplementary N intake was secreted in milk and 53% in urine. In spite of low rumen ammonia-N concentrations observed for the basal diet, it was estimated that only 43% of supplementary N was captured by rumen microbes. Estimated true digestibility for supplementary N (93%) provided further evidence that urea-N stimulated microbial N synthesis. The current results indicate that rumen ammonia-N concentration was an insensitive indicator of N deficiency at low levels of diet CP, whereas milk urea-N was responsive to diet CP concentrations at all urea-N infusion levels.     

The effect of partial substitution of rapeseed meal and faba beans by Spirulina platensis microalgae on milk production,nitrogen utilization,and amino acid metabolism of lactating dairy cows

Alternative protein sources such as microalgae and faba beans may have environmental benefits over rapeseed. We studied the effects of rapeseed meal (RSM) or faba beans (FB) as a sole protein feed or as protein feeds partially substituted with Spirulina platensis (spirulina) microalgae on milk production, N utilization, and AA metabolism of dairy cows. Eight multiparous Finnish Ayrshire cows (113 ± 36.3 d in milk; mean ± SD) were used in a balanced, replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments and 21-d periods. Four cows in one Latin square were rumen cannulated. Treatments were 2 isonitrogenously fed protein sources, RSM or rolled FB, or one of these sources with half of its crude protein substituted by spirulina (RSM-SPI and FB-SPI). Cows had ad libitum access to total mixed rations consisting of grass silage, barley, sugar beet pulp, minerals, and experimental protein feed. The substitution of RSM with FB did not affect dry matter intake (DMI) but decreased neutral detergent fiber intake and increased the digestibility of other nutrients. Spirulina in the diet decreased DMI and His intake. Spirulina had no effect on Met intake in cows on RSM diets but increased it in those on FB diets. Energy-corrected milk (ECM) and protein yields were decreased when RSM was substituted by FB. Milk and lactose yields were decreased in cows on the RSM-SPI diet compared with the RSM diet but increased in those on FB-SPI compared with FB. The opposite was true for milk fat and protein concentrations; thus, spirulina in the diet did not affect ECM. Feed conversion efficiency (ECM:DMI) increased in cows on FB diets with spirulina, whereas little effect was observed for those on RSM diets. The substitution of RSM by FB decreased arterial concentration of Met and essential AA. Spirulina in the diet increased milk urea N and ruminal NH₄-N and decreased the efficiency of N utilization in cows on RSM diets, whereas those on FB diets showed opposite results. Met likely limited milk production in cows on the FB diet as evidenced by the decrease in arterial Met concentration and milk protein yield when RSM was substituted by FB. The results suggest the potential to improve milk production response to faba beans with supplementation of Met-rich feeds such as spirulina. This study also confirmed spirulina had poorer palatability than RSM and FB despite total mixed ration feeding and lower milk production when spirulina partially replaced RSM.     

Contrasted effects of dietary extruded linseed supplementation on carotenoid and liposoluble vitamin status in lactating Holstein or Montbéliarde cows fed hay or corn silage

Cow milk and dairy products have a good nutritional value that could be improved by increasing the concentrations of several compounds such as carotenoids and liposoluble vitamins A and E. Their concentrations in milk are dependent on their respective dietary intakes, but the transfer from feeds to milk seems to be limited by dietary, digestive, or metabolic factors linked to lipids that could differ between dairy breeds. The effect of dietary fat supplement (provided as extruded linseed) on carotenoid, vitamin E, and vitamin A status as well as their transfer from diet to milk were explored in mid-lactating dairy cows (Holstein or Montbéliarde breed) receiving either corn silage or hay as the main forage. Carotenoid and tocopherol status were higher in cows fed hay than in those fed corn silage, both at the plasma and milk level. The transfer rate for carotenoids was the same regardless of forage, whereas the transfer rate for tocopherols was greater (1.71 vs. 1.20%, respectively) for cows fed hay compared with corn silage. Cows fed extruded linseed had greater plasma concentrations of tocopherols (+25%) compared with those that did not, regardless of forage, but linseed treatment only changed xanthophyll (+35%) concentrations. This would suggest that the lipid supplement increased the availability of xanthophylls and tocopherols for the cows. However, carotenoid transfer into milk remained low and unaffected by the lipid supplement, whatever the forage nature, suggesting a limiting unknown process. Carotenoid status was marginally different between breeds because plasma concentrations were higher in Montbéliarde cows besides lower intakes. In milk, 13-E-β-carotene concentration was also higher for Montbéliarde cows because of a 2-fold higher transfer rate than for Holstein cows. In contrast, Holstein cows had higher transfer rates of α-tocopherol and vitamin A activity, linked to higher milk fat yield. For the first time, this study proposed an evaluation of the transfer rate of lipid micronutrients from diet to milk in cows. The study highlighted that these compounds follow distinct patterns of regulation during their transfer. However, in these experimental conditions, it was not possible to show that a dietary fat supplement could increase the concentration of these compounds in milk fat.     

Non-aureus staphylococci in fecal samples of dairy cows: First report and phenotypic and genotypic characterization

The aims of this study were to determine whether non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) are present in rectal feces of healthy dairy cows, and if so, to delineate species to which they belong and to study several phenotypic and genotypic traits as a first step toward determining the potential impact of fecal shedding of NAS on bovine udder health. Fecal samples were aseptically collected from the rectum of 25 randomly selected clinically healthy dairy cows in a commercial dairy herd using an automated milking system. Fecal NAS were isolated and then identified at the species level using transfer RNA-intergenic spacer PCR and sequencing of the 16S rRNA housekeeping gene. Strain typing was performed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. The antimicrobial resistance profiles, biofilm formation, and growth and inhibitory characteristics of all NAS isolates were evaluated. Half of the cows were shedding NAS, resulting in 31 NAS isolates belonging to 11 different species. The most prevalent species were Staphylococcus rostri (23%, n = 7), Staphylococcus cohnii (16%, n = 5), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (13%, n = 4) with all Staphylococcus agnetis, Staphylococcus chromogenes, and Staph. rostri isolates belonging to the same strain according to RAPD banding patterns. Acquired antimicrobial resistance was observed in 28 of the 31 NAS isolates, mainly due to β-lactamase production. Most of the isolates (84%, n = 27) had a weak biofilm-forming potential, but only 2 contained the bap gene. The ica and aap genes were not detected in any of the isolates. In vitro growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus dysgalactiae was inhibited by Staph. agnetis isolates, and Staph. chromogenes isolates were able to inhibit the growth of Strep. dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis. All fecal isolates were able to grow when oxygen and iron were limitedly available, mimicking the growth conditions in the mammary gland.     

Ruminal degradability and lysine bioavailability of soybean meals and effects on performance of dairy cows

Evaluations of 4 soybean meal (SBM) products were conducted in 3 experiments. The 4 products were 1) solvent SBM (SSBM), 2) SSBM treated with 0.05% baker's yeast and toasted at 100°C (YSBM), 3) expeller SBM (ESBM), and 4) lignosulfonate-treated SBM (LSBM). Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 32; 152 ± 63 d in milk; body weight = 708 ± 77 kg; producing 41 ± 7 kg/d of milk at the beginning of the study) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods to investigate cow responsiveness to supplemental ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) from the SBM products. Dietary treatments were formulated by substituting all of the SSBM and part of the ground corn with YSBM, ESBM, or LSBM to yield isonitrogenous diets. Diets were formulated to provide adequate ruminally degradable protein, but deficient RUP and metabolizable protein supplies. No differences among dietary treatments were observed for dry matter intake, body weight gain, milk and component yields, or efficiency of milk production. The lack of response to changes in SBM source was likely due to an adequate RUP and metabolizable protein supply by all the diets. In situ ruminal degradations of YSBM and LSBM were slower than those of SSBM or ESBM; thus, RUP contents of YSBM and LSBM were greater than those of SSBM or ESBM. The RUP of all SBM products had similar small intestinal digestibility. Available Lys contents, estimated chemically or by using a chick growth assay, were less for YSBM and LSBM than for SSBM or ESBM, suggesting deleterious effects of processing on Lys availability in YSBM and LSBM.     

Varying protein and starch in the diet of dairy cows. II. Effects on performance and nitrogen utilization for milk production

The main objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of the percentage and source of crude protein (CP) and the amount of starch in the diet of dairy cows on the lactational performance and use of N for milk production. Sixty multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 210-d lactational trial with a completely randomized design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Two sources of CP [solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) and a mixture of SBM and a blend of animal-marine protein supplements plus ruminally protected Met (AMB)] and 3 levels of dietary CP (means = 14.8, 16.8, and 18.7%) were combined into 6 treatments. On a dry matter (DM) basis, diets contained 25.0% corn silage, 20.0% alfalfa silage, 10.0% cottonseed, 26.7 to 37.0% corn grain, and 4.8 to 13.5% protein supplement, plus minerals and vitamins. Across the 210 d of lactation, the productive response of dairy cows to the source of supplemental CP depended on the concentration of CP in the diet. At 18.7% CP, cows fed SBM consumed more DM and produced more milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, fat, and true protein, but had lower efficiency of feed use and body condition score than cows fed AMB. At 16.8% CP, cows fed AMB produced more 3.5% fat-corrected milk, fat, and true protein than cows fed SBM. At 14.8% CP, cows fed SBM consumed more DM but produced less true protein and had lower feed efficiency than cows fed AMB. Across CP sources, cows fed 14.8% CP produced less fat-corrected milk and true protein than cows fed 16.8 and 18.7% CP. Across CP percentages, cows fed AMB produced more fat-corrected milk per kilogram of DM consumed than cows fed SBM. Despite these interactions, improvements in the gross efficiency of N use for milk production were achieved through reductions in the intake of N independently of the source of CP. Data suggest that the intake of N by high-producing dairy cows that consume sufficient energy and other nutrients to meet their requirements can be decreased to about 600 to 650 g daily if the source of RDP and RUP are properly matched with the source and amount of carbohydrate in the diet.     

Effects of induced weight shift in the hind limbs on claw loads in dairy cows

The modern dairy industry is plagued by a high prevalence of claw horn lesions in cows, which cause lameness, affect well-being, limit milk production, and are responsible for premature removal of cows from the herd. The lateral hind claws are primarily affected, and this has been linked to a relatively higher load being exerted on the lateral claws when cows shift weight from one hind limb to the other. The vertical ground reaction forces and mean and maximum pressures under the claws were measured in 40 nonlame dairy cows before and during a shift in weight from one hind limb to the other, which was accomplished by applying pressure manually to one side of the pelvis. During square standing on firm ground, about two-thirds of the entire hind limb load was exerted on the 2 lateral claws, and the remaining one-third was exerted on the medial claws combined. At the moment of maximum weight shift, the lateral claw of the loaded limb bore almost two-thirds of the entire load of both hind limbs, with the heel zone bearing almost half of the load of both hind limbs. Subsequently, the load of the lateral claw of the contralateral hind limb decreased, as did the load of both medial claws. Thus, the weight redistribution had occurred predominantly between the lateral hind claws. The high load exerted on a lateral hind claw during weight shift and at maximum weight shift is assumed to play a role in the pathogenesis of claw horn lesions, particularly when accentuated by a softened claw horn and hard flooring.     

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 dietary N-carbamoylglutamate on milk production and nitrogen utilization in high-yielding dairy cows

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG) supplementation on milk production and nitrogen (N) utilization in Chinese Holstein dairy cows. Sixty multiparous cows (78 ± 17.3 d in milk, 635 ± 61.00 kg of body weight, and 41.9 ± 7.9 kg/d milk yield; mean ± SD) were blocked by parity, days in milk, and milk yield and randomly allocated to 1 of 4 groups, each of which was fed a dietary treatment containing 0 (control), 10, 20, or 30 g of NCG/d. Milk yield was recorded weekly. Dry matter intake, milk composition, plasma variables, and urea N contents in plasma, urine, and milk were determined every other week. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein. Rumen microbial protein synthesis was estimated based on the purine derivatives in the urine. Dry matter intake was found to be similar between the treatments. Addition of 20 g of NCG/d tended to increase milk yield (40.2 vs. 38.1 kg/d) and increased the content (2.83 vs. 2.74%) and yield (1.12 vs. 1.02 kg/d) of milk protein compared with the control. The yield and content of milk fat were similar between the treatments, whereas the contents of lactose and total solids increased linearly with an increase in NCG. Dietary supplementation of NCG linearly increased the plasma nitric oxide level and decreased the plasma ammonia N level. Compared with the control, the plasma Arg concentration in cows fed 10, 20, and 30 g of NCG/d was increased by 1.1, 10.4, and 16.0%, respectively. The urea N concentrations in the milk, plasma, and urine decreased with the addition of NCG, although the lowest urea N concentrations were observed with the addition of 20 g of NCG/d. The conversion of dietary crude protein to milk protein exhibited quadratic trends of improvement by NCG supplementation, with a peak at 20 g of NCG/d. The rumen microbial protein synthesis was not altered by NCG supplementation, but the metabolizable protein tended to show a quadratic increase in cows fed 20 g of NCG/d. In conclusion, supplementation of 20 g of NVG/d may alter the plasma metabolites, optimize the AA profile, increase the metabolizable protein utilization, and thereby improve the lactation performance and N utilization of high-yielding dairy cows.     

Interactions between barley grain processing and source of supplemental dietary fat on nitrogen metabolism and urea-nitrogen recycling in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of methods of barley grain processing and source of supplemental fat on urea-N transfer to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the utilization of this recycled urea-N in lactating dairy cows. Four ruminally cannulated Holstein cows (656.3 ± 27.7 kg of BW; 79.8 ± 12.3 d in milk) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. Experimental diets contained dry-rolled barley or pelleted barley in combination with whole canola or whole flaxseed as supplemental fat sources. Nitrogen balance was measured from d 15 to 19, with concurrent measurements of urea-N kinetics using continuous intrajugular infusions of [¹⁵N¹⁵N]-urea. Dry matter intake and N intake were higher in cows fed dry-rolled barley compared with those fed pelleted barley. Nitrogen retention was not affected by diet, but fecal N excretion was higher in cows fed dry-rolled barley than in those fed pelleted barley. Actual and energy-corrected milk yield were not affected by diet. Milk fat content and milk fat yield were higher in cows fed dry-rolled barley compared with those fed pelleted barley. Source of supplemental fat did not affect urea-N kinetics. Urea-N production was higher (442.2 vs. 334.3 g of N/d), and urea-N entering the GIT tended to be higher (272.9 vs. 202.0 g of N/d), in cows fed dry-rolled barley compared with those fed pelleted barley. The amount of urea-N entry into the GIT that was returned to the ornithine cycle was higher (204.1 vs. 159.5 g of N/d) in cows fed dry-rolled barley than in pelleted barley-fed cows. The amount of urea-N recycled to the GIT and used for anabolic purposes, and the amounts lost in the urine or feces were not affected by dietary treatment. Microbial nonammonia N supply, estimated using total urinary excretion of purine derivatives, was not affected by diet. These results show that even though barley grain processing altered urea-N entry into the GIT, the utilization of this recycled urea-N for microbial production was unaffected as the additional urea-N, which entered the GIT was returned to ureagenesis.