Does feeding dairy cattle with different levels of condensed distillers solubles (Protiwanze®) increase the risk of Sara? | Augmenter la supplémentation en CDS dans l'alimentation des vaches laitières augmente-t-il le risque de SARA?

English. INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of Protiwanze® (PW) supplementation, a highly acid (pH = 3.8 ± 0.8) and fermentescible CDS, on ruminal function of dairy cows. MATERIAL AND METHODS PW supplementation was tested in 5 dairy herds (144 cows, DIM: 96 ± 61, daily milk production: 34.69 ± 8.22 L). In Herd 1, TMR was supplemented with 0% or 10% of PW on a dry matter basis for 4 weeks including a 7-day transition period. Each concentration was distributed twice during 2 periods alternatively with the other one, each cow being its own control. PW concentrations were 10 and 15% in Herd 2, 3 and 4. During every period, milk production was measured by the Dairy Herd Improvement and ruminal fluid sampled by a stomach tube (Ruminator®) on 5 cows. Samples were assessed for pH (portable pH meter), redox potential (Methylene blue test) and protozoa (optical microscopy). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Ruminal pH values ranged between 5.94 and 7.74. Even when a correction factor of 0.5 was applied to take into account possible saliva contamination, only 8 pH samples pleaded for SARA although protozoa and methylene blue tests were within norms and cows clinically normal. No significant correlation between pH value, milk production and fat content could be demonstrated. Ruminal pH did neither significantly differ between the different levels of PW supplementation. In conclusion, in this study, PW could be used in dairy cows TMR at a level as high as 15% without increasing the risk of SARA.

Valorisation des solubles de blé liquides co-produits lors de la fabrication de bio-éthanol (ProtiWanze®) dans l’alimentation des bovins en Walloni