Even if fresh forage is a valuable feed resource for dairy farms, in Italy it is not utilized in diets of high production dairy cows. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of partial substitution of total mixed ration (TMR) with fresh forage in the diet of high production dairy cows on milk production and composition. Two trials were performed, comparing an Italian Friesian cow diet based on TMR with high percentage of maize silage and concentrates (TMR) with ones where TMR were partially replaced with fresh forage (TMR+F). In trial 1, the fresh forage was utilized during an advanced stage of maturity, whereas in trial 2 the fresh forage was utilized during an early stage of maturity. In both trials, during the experimental periods the dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were measured, and TMR, fresh forage and milk were sampled. Chemical composition of feeds and milk composition were determined. In both trials, the inclusion of fresh forage in the cow diet did not affect the milk production, and milk contents of fat, protein and casein. In both trials, fresh forage affected the milk fatty acid (FA) composition, increasing the vaccenic and linolenic acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) contents. The inclusion of fresh forage in cow diet can modify the nutritional properties of milk without change the milk production
Effects of fresh forage inclusion in diet of high performance dairy cows on milk production and composition
TABACCO, Ernesto;BORREANI, Giorgio
2012-01-01
Abstract
Even if fresh forage is a valuable feed resource for dairy farms, in Italy it is not utilized in diets of high production dairy cows. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of partial substitution of total mixed ration (TMR) with fresh forage in the diet of high production dairy cows on milk production and composition. Two trials were performed, comparing an Italian Friesian cow diet based on TMR with high percentage of maize silage and concentrates (TMR) with ones where TMR were partially replaced with fresh forage (TMR+F). In trial 1, the fresh forage was utilized during an advanced stage of maturity, whereas in trial 2 the fresh forage was utilized during an early stage of maturity. In both trials, during the experimental periods the dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were measured, and TMR, fresh forage and milk were sampled. Chemical composition of feeds and milk composition were determined. In both trials, the inclusion of fresh forage in the cow diet did not affect the milk production, and milk contents of fat, protein and casein. In both trials, fresh forage affected the milk fatty acid (FA) composition, increasing the vaccenic and linolenic acids and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) contents. The inclusion of fresh forage in cow diet can modify the nutritional properties of milk without change the milk production
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