Studies on the Use of Wet Sorghum Distiller's Grains in Lactating Cows

Chiou, P. W. S.; Chang, S. H.; Chiang, J. K.; Yu, B.; Chen, C. R.

doi:1999.12.6.895

Article

Ruminant Nutrition and Forage Utilization

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 1999;12(6): 895-900.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.1999.895 Published online September 1, 1999.

Studies on the Use of Wet Sorghum Distiller's Grains in Lactating Cows

P. W. S. Chiou, S. H. Chang, J. K. Chiang, B. Yu, C. R. Chen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporating wet sorghum distiller`s grains (WSDG) as part of their diet on the lactating performance of dairy cows. Twenty-seven Holstein milking cows were selected, all in the early lactating stage, with an average weight of 550kg, and producing an average of 30kg of milk daily. The cows were divided into three groups according to milk yield and lactation and were fed different total mixed rations. The diets were formulated according to NRC (1989) recommendations in three rations to (1) control diet, (2) 15% WSDG diet and (3) 30% WSDG diet. The three different diets were all formulated as iso-nitrogen and iso-energetic diets. After one week adaptation period, the experimental feeding was conducted for 8 weeks. Three ruminal cannulated cows were also examined in order to investigate ruminal fermentation of the three total mixed rations. The results showed that the milk yield, as corrected to the 4.0% fat standard, had no significant difference among the control, 15% WSDG and 30% WSDG treatment groups (p>0.05). The daily dry matter intake of the control group was higher than the other groups (p<0.05). with respect to milk composition, milk fat, milk protein and total solids, there was no significant difference among the treatment groups (p>0.05). The energy efficiency of the 30% WSDG group were significantly higher than the other treatment groups (p<0.05). Ruminal pH value showed no difference among the treatment groups (p<0.05). Ammonia-nitrogen concentration in the control group was higher than the other treatment groups (p<0.05). The concentration of total ruminal volatile fatty acid was similar in all three dietary groups.

Keywords: Sorghum Distiller`s Grains; Lactation; Dairy Cattle; Rumen Characteristics