The effect of steam-flaked or dry ground corn and supplemental phytic acid on phosphorus partitioning and ruminal phytase activity in lactating cows

The effect of starch source and phytic acid (PA) supplementation on phosphorus (P) partitioning and ruminal phytase activity was evaluated in eight midlactation cows (four ruminally cannulated). Cows were randomly assigned to treatments in replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares with four 18-d periods. Diets included dry ground corn (DG) or steam-flaked corn (SF), with no supplemental P (L; 0.33% P) or supplemental purified PA (0.44% P) to provide additional P from a nonmineral source. Total collection of milk, urine, and feces was conducted on d 16 to 18 of each period. Ruminal fluid was sampled and ruminal pH measured every 8 h on d 17 and 18. Milk yield was unaffected by starch source, despite lower DMI by cows fed SF. Cows fed SF had increased DM digestibility compared with those fed DG, and tended to have higher efficiency of milk yield (1.40 vs. 1.35 kg of milk/kg of DMI). Intake and fecal excretion of P was lower in cows fed SF than in cows fed DG. In cows fed SF, milk P as a percentage of P intake increased compared with cows fed DG. Ruminal pH was unaffected by diet, but milk fat content was lower for cows fed SF. Milk yield, DMI, and feed to milk ratio were not affected by supplementation with PA. Although cows fed PA had increased P intake compared with cows fed low P diet, increased P excretion resulted in no differences in apparent P digestibility. Phosphorus balance tended to be higher in cows fed PA, but milk P as a percentage of intake was reduced. The interaction of starch source and PA affected ruminal phytase activity. Altering starch source to improve efficiency of milk yield in lactating dairy cows may help reduce P losses from dairy farms.