Performance of dairy cows fed diets formulated at 2 starch concentrations with either canola meal or soybean meal as the protein supplement

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of substituting corn grain with nonforage fiber sources in diets containing soybean meal (SBM) or canola meal (CM) as the primary protein source. Sixteen Holstein cows were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 4 periods of 28 d each. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 protein sources (SBM and CM) and 2 dietary starch concentrations (21 and 27% dry matter, DM). Diets were formulated to contain 16.5% CP, and the 21% starch diets were obtained by replacing corn grain with soybean hulls and beet pulp. Protein source × starch interactions were observed for DM intake (DMI), milk fat and protein concentrations, milk protein yield, milk urea nitrogen, and feed efficiency. Cows fed CM diets had a higher DMI when dietary starch concentration was 27% compared with 21%, but those cows had DMI similar to that of cows on SBM diets regardless of the starch concentration. Milk fat percentage was decreased in cows fed CM with 27% starch compared with cows fed CM with 21% starch and cows fed SBM with 27% starch. Milk protein percentage and yield and milk lactose percentage were least in cows fed CM with 21% starch compared with the other 3 diets, but feed efficiency was greater for cows fed CM with 21% starch. Milk urea nitrogen was least in cows fed CM with 27% starch compared with the other 3 diets. Cows fed diets with 27% starch produced 2.5 kg/d more milk and 1.9 kg/d more energy-corrected milk compared with cows fed 21% starch. Digestibility of DM and organic matter was higher in cows fed SBM diets than in cows on CM diets, and cows fed 27% starch showed greater DM and organic matter digestibility than cows on 21% starch. Digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was greater in diets with SBM than in those with CM. Molar proportion of acetate was the lowest for cows fed CM with 21% starch compared with cows fed SBM with 21% starch, with the remaining cows fed being intermediate and similar. However, propionate was highest for cows fed CM with 21% starch than for cows fed SBM with 21% starch, but the remaining treatments were intermediate and similar. Isobutyrate was greater for cows fed CM with 21% starch, which resulted in the lowest acetate:propionate ratio compared with cows fed the remaining treatments. Overall, we confirmed that the interaction of protein with starch in CM diets can sustain similar cow performance as with the SBM diets. Those making decisions about starch concentration and protein source should consider feed price when SBM or CM and different starch levels are being formulated in diets for lactating dairy cows.