Effect of feeding a reduced-starch diet with or without amylase addition on lactation performance in dairy cows.
The objective of this study was to determine lactation performance responses of high-producing dairy cows to a reduced-starch diet compared with a normal-starch diet and to the addition of exogenous amylase to the reduced-starch diet. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows (51+/-22 DIM and 643+/-49kg of body weight at trial initiation) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments in a completely randomized design: a 3-wk covariate adjustment period during which the cows were fed the normal-starch diet, followed by a 12-wk treatment period during which the cows were fed their assigned treatment diets. The normal-starch TMR did not contain exogenous amylase (NS-). The reduced-starch diets, formulated by partially replacing corn grain with soy hulls, were fed without (RS-) and with (RS+) exogenous amylase added to the TMR. Starch and NDF concentrations averaged 27.1 and 30.6%, 21.8 and 36.6%, and 20.7 and 36.6% (dry matter basis) for the NS-, RS-, and RS+ diets, respectively. Dry matter intake for cows fed the RS- diet was 2.4 and 3.2kg/d greater than for cows fed the NS- and RS+ diets, respectively. Intake of NDF ranged from 1.19 to 1.52% of body weight among the treatments, with the RS- diet being 28% greater than the NS- diet and 13% greater than the RS+ diet. Milk yield averaged 50.4kg/d and was unaffected by treatment. Fat-corrected milk yield was 2.9kg/d greater for cows fed the RS- diet than for cows fed the NS- diet. Body weight and body condition score measurements were unaffected by treatment. Fat-, solids-, and energy-corrected milk feed conversions (kilograms/kilogram of DMI) were 12 to 13% greater for cows fed the RS+ diet than for cows fed the RS- diet. Dry matter and nutrient digestibilities were lowest for cows fed the NS- diet and greatest for cows fed the RS+ diet, and were greater for cows fed the RS+ diet than for cows fed the RS- diet, with the exception of starch digestibility, which was similar. Greater conversion of feed to milk for dairy cows fed reduced-starch diets that include exogenous amylase may offer potential for improving economic performance.
Gencoglu
H
H
Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1675 Observatory Dr., Madison 53706, USA.
Shaver
R D
RD
Steinberg
W
W
Ensink
J
J
Ferraretto
L F
LF
Bertics
S J
SJ
Lopes
J C
JC
Akins
M S
MS
D000681:Amylases / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002417:Cattle; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D010316:Particle Size; D011897:Random Allocation; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D013213:Starch; D000681:Amylases