Influence of feeding varying levels of Amaferm on performance of lactating dairy cows.
Amaferm, a fermentation extract of Aspergillus oryzae, was fed as a top-dressing to dairy cows at 0, 1.5, 3, and 6 g/d in two lactation trials using 64 cows in 1989. Lactation trial 1 was conducted in the spring (March to May) and used 40 cows averaging 75 DIM for a 70-d treatment period. Lactation trial 2 was during the summer (June to July). Twenty-four cows averaging 140 DIM were employed in a 60-d study. Measurements included milk yield, feed intake, BW, rectal temperatures, respiration rate, and digestibility of CP, NDF, and DM. None of the levels of Amaferm had a significant effect on milk yield or composition, BW changes, or digestion coefficients in either trial. Cows fed 1.5 g/d of Amaferm had a higher DMI than those receiving 0 or 6 g in trial 1, and respiration rates were significantly higher for cows fed 3 g/d of Amaferm in trial 2. Under the conditions of this study, none of the levels of Amaferm affected the performance of lactating cows. Further elucidation of factors influencing response to Amaferm is needed.
Denigan
M E
ME
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
Huber
J T
JT
Alhadhrami
G
G
al-Dehneh
A
A
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001236:Aspergillus oryzae / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D004063:Digestion; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation; D007774:Lactation; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation