Effects of different forage-containing rations on metabolic parameters and milk yield in the peripartum of Holstein cows
Yueksel, S.(Eastern Anatolia Agricultural Research Station, Dadaskent (Turkey))E-mail:[email protected] | Hayirli, A.(Atatuerk Univ., Erzurum (Turkey). Dept. of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Disorders) | Turgut, L.(Atatuerk Univ., Erzurum (Turkey). Animal Sciences and Biochemistry) | Macit, M.(Atatuerk Univ., Erzurum (Turkey). Animal Sciences and Biochemistry) | Dogru, Y.
The effect of different types of forage on milk yield, body weight (BW), dry matter intake (DMI), and some metabolic parameters was evaluated in 24 Holstein cows. The cows were randomly fed one of the diets containing a forage mixture with majority of alfalfa hay (AH), alfalfa silage (AS), or corn silage (CS) during the peripartum period. The diets did not affect prepartum and postpartum BW changes and milk production. During the prepartum, DMI was higher in cows fed hay than in those fed silages. During the postpartum, DMI was the highest in cows fed AH, followed by cows fed CS and AS. The diets did not affect blood serum glucose, Ca, P, and K concentrations. Blood serum urea nitrogen concentrations were lower in cows fed CS than in those fed AS. Cows fed AH had the highest alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Serum cation-anion difference (SCAD) was lower in cows fed AS than in those fed CS. Serum Ca concentration was not correlated with SCAD and ALP values, but Ca : P ratio was negatively correlated with serum K concentrations. The diets did not influence urine pH and the urine cation-anion difference (UCAD) value. Urine Ca concentration and Ca : P ratio were higher in animals fed CS than in those fed AS. Urine pH was positively correlated with urine K concentration and UCAD value. In conclusion, the forage type did not affect prepartum performance. Silage, regardless of the kind, was advantageous over hay during the postpartum period.
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