Effect of buffer addition to high grain total mixed rations on rumen pH, feed intake, milk production, and milk composition.
Lactating Holstein cows (n = 56) were fed high grain TMR in three feeding experiments to determine the effects of two rumen buffers on feed intake, milk production, and milk composition. The basal diet in Experiment 1 was 40% grass silage, 12% whole cottonseed, and 48% concentrate with treatments of 1) control (no added buffer), 2) 1.5% of dietary DM as Alkaten, and 3) 1.5% of dietary DM as Rumen 8. In Experiment 2, diets consisted of 12% corn and sunflower silage, 20% whole cottonseed, and 68% concentrate with treatments as in Experiment 1. The diets in Experiment 3 were identical to those in Experiment 2, except that buffers were increased to 2.2% of dietary DM. The DMI was greater for cows fed buffered diets than control diets in Experiments 2 and 3. Milk production was unaffected by treatment. Milk fat percentage was unaffected by diet in Experiment 1 and averaged 3.8%. Milk fat depression was alleviated for cows fed buffered diets in Experiments 2 and 3. No differences in rumen fluid pH or molar percentage of VFA were significant among treatments.
Xu
S
S
Department of Animal Sciences, Dairy-Forage Facility, Washington State University, Puyallup 98371.
Harrison
J H
JH
Riley
R E
RE
Loney
K A
KA
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003369:Cottonseed Oil; D004435:Eating; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006368:Helianthus; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D012417:Rumen / Q000502:physiology*; D012820:Silage; D003313:Zea mays
D002021:Buffers; D003369:Cottonseed Oil; D008055:Lipids