Effects of Rumen-Mate on lactational performance of Holsteins fed a high grain diet.
Three Latin-square trials were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing Rumen-Mate, a commercial buffer containing KCl, NaCl, and Mg and Na carbonates, on lactation performance of Holsteins. Cows were fed a basal ration of 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate in Trials 1 and 2, and 40% corn silage, 55% concentrate, and 5% alfalfa hay in Trial 3 (DM basis). In Trial 1, treatments were: basal diet, or basal diet supplemented with either 1% NaHCO3, or 1, 3, or 4.4% Rumen-Mate. Increasing dietary Rumen-Mate resulted in a linear increase in milk fat production and concentration with no difference between 1% Rumen-Mate and 1% bicarbonate. There was a significant linear decrease in milk protein concentration, but not production, with increasing concentrations of Rumen-Mate. In Trial 2 treatments were: basal diet, or basal diet supplemented with either .8% NaHCO3, 2.6% Rumen-Mate, .5% MgO, .8% NaHCO3 plus .5% MgO, or 1.8% Rumen-Mate plus .8% NaHCO3. Organic matter and CP intakes and milk protein yield and concentration were decreased by Rumen-Mate with a nonsignificant increase in milk fat concentration. Data from Trials 1 and 2 were combined with data from Trial 3, which compared basal diet, 1% bicarbonate, and 3% Rumen-Mate. The combined data showed a larger increase over basal diet in milk fat yield and concentration for 2.6 to 3% Rumen-Mate vs. .8 to 1% bicarbonate. Rumen-Mate did not decrease DM intake or protein yield relative to basal diet but did decrease protein yield 34 g/d compared with that of bicarbonate.
Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
L C
LC
Solorzano
L E
LE
Armentano
R S
RS
Emery
B R
BR
Schricker
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002254:Carbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007774:Lactation; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008892:Milk / Q000032:analysis*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
D002021:Buffers; D002254:Carbonates; D008894:Milk Proteins; C005479:magnesium carbonate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C005686:sodium carbonate; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D008274:Magnesium