Authors: Metha Wanapat Ruangyote Pilajun Peter Rowlinson
Publish Date: 2012/07/28
Volume: 45, Issue: 2, Pages: 447-453
Abstract
Four earlylactation crossbred cows 825 Holstein were selected to investigate the effect of carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level in the concentrate on rumen fermentation and milk production Cows were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin Square design Factor A was carbohydrate source cassava chip CC and CC + rice bran at a ratio 31 CR31 and factor B was variation in the level of cottonseed meal CM low LCM and high HCM in isonitrogenous diets 180 g CP/kg DM It was found that carbohydrate source did not affect feed intake dry matter digestibility rumen fermentation microbial population milk yield and composition or economic return P 005 However cows fed with CC had a higher population of amylolytic bacteria than cows fed with CR31 P 005 Cows fed with HCM had a higher total feed intake milk yield and composition and milk income when compared with cows fed on LCM although the concentrate and roughage intakes dry matter digestibility rumen fermentation and microbial populations were similar between treatments P 005 In addition the carbohydrate source and cottonseed meal level interactions were not significant for any parameter It could be concluded that cassava chip and high level of cottonseed meal could usefully be incorporated into concentrates for dairy cows without impacting on rumen fermentation or milk production
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