Influence of a high roughage diet for dairy cows on rumen fermentation, milk production and quality of milk
2001
Pestevsek, U. | Zust, J. | Vengust, A. (Ljubljana Univ. (Slovenia). Veterinary Fac.)
The rumen fermentation in dairy cows fed mainly on a high roughage diet and its influence on their milk yield and milk quality was investigated. Rumen fluid examinations showed characteristically high pH values of between 6.4 +/- 0.2 and6.8 +/- 0.2, low concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (from 89.3 +/- 15.7 mmol/l to 103.4 +/- 17.4 mmol/l) and a wide lipogenic - glucogenic ratio between (acetic + butyric)/ propionic acid(4.3 +/- 0.6 to 5.0 +/- 0.8). A statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.755 andr = 0.8377, P 0.001) was found between the milk yield, dry matter intake and available net energy for lactation, however, the correlation between dietary crude protein content and milk production was not significant. Greater dry matter intake was positively correlated (P 0.05) with the concentration of propionic acid and negatively with the concentration of acetic acid and the lipogenic - glucogenic ratio of rumen fluid. The relationship between rumen fermentation and milk composition in the postpartum period showed a greater influence of rumen fermentation on the milk yield than on its composition. Simple indigestion occurred in 6.8 % of experimental cows.
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