title: Molasses supplementation for dual-purpose cows during the dry season in subtropical Mexico.
abstract: The effect of including 9 % of molasses in supplements offered to dual purpose cows, during dry season in subtropical Mexico was determined. Forage availability in pastures during the dry season is reduced and of low quality. Molasses is a readily available source of energy that may improve forage utilization and could have a positive effect on cow's milk production and calves daily weight gain (CDWG). Twelve multiparous Brown Swiss cows (409 ± 33 kg of body weight and 136 ± 73 days in milk), and their calves were randomly assigned to two supplements (six cows per treatment). Control supplement (COS) consisted of cracked maize ears (CME), soybean meal and urea (14 % CP), and experimental supplement in which 9 % of CME was replaced by molasses (MOS). Cows received 4.5 kg/cow/day dry matter (DM) of supplement. Experiment lasted 10 weeks divided in five experimental periods (EP). Animal responses (milk yield, milk composition, body weight, body condition score and CDWG) were recorded at the end of every EP. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the data as a complete random design. Net profits from milk and beef due to supplements were estimated using partial budget approach. Average milk yield was 7 (kg/cow/day) with 30.6, 30.4 and 42.5 (g/kg milk) of fat, protein and lactose, respectively. Average cow weight was 422 kg and CDWG was 0.8 kg/day. No significant responses on animal production variables were found when 9 % of MOS was included in the supplement; however, total net income increased on 4 %, due to higher CDWG.
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario UAEM Temascaltepec, Instituto Literario #100. P. C. 50000. Col. Centro, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Isela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Salvador-Loreto
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales (ICAR), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100. P. C. 50000. Col. Centro, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos Manuel
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Arriaga-Jordán
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales (ICAR), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario #100. P. C. 50000. Col. Centro, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Julieta Gertrudis
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Estrada-Flores
authors.affiliation: Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario (SERIDA), Carretera Oviedo s/n. P. C. 33300, Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vicente-Mainar
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario UAEM Temascaltepec, Instituto Literario #100. P. C. 50000. Col. Centro, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Anastacio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario UAEM Temascaltepec, Instituto Literario #100. P. C. 50000. Col. Centro, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico. balbarranp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Benito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albarrán-Portillo
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003612:Dairying; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008800:Mexico; D008965:Molasses; D012621:Seasons
keywords: Beef; Dry season; Economic performance; Milk; Molasses; Subtropical