Effects of Mulberry Branch and Leaves Silage on Microbial Community, Rumen Fermentation Characteristics, and Milk Yield in Lactating Dairy Cows

This study investigated the effects of mulberry branch and leaves (MBL) silage on milk yield, ruminal fermentation, and bacteria composition in dairy cows. Thirty-six mid-lactation cows were selected and randomly allocated into three groups. The control group (C) was fed on a total mixed ratio (TMR) diet, while the experimental groups were fed on TMR supplemented with 5% (L) and 10% (H) MBL silage. The experiment lasted for eight weeks, including two weeks of adaption. The results showed that Group H had an increased milk yield, milk fat content (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and 4% feed conversion ratio (<i>p</i> = 0.10). In addition, rumen propionic acid was significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05), while acetate/propionate was significantly decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the high MBL silage group. The microbiome analysis showed that Bacteroides, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the predominant phyla. Compared with Group C, the abundance of Bacteroides was significantly decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were increased but not significantly different in Groups L and H. <i>Prevotella</i> was significantly decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the MBL silage groups, and <i>Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-001</i> was increased in Group H. The correlation analysis showed that eight bacterial species belonging to Firmicutes were positively correlated with propionic acid. However, four bacterial species belonging to the Bacteroides group were negatively correlated with propionic acid. In conclusion, feed supplementation with about 5–10% of MBL silage could modulate the rumen microbiota and fermentation, and increase the abundance of fiber-digesting, propionic acid synthesis and milk fat-related microorganisms, thus improving milk yield in dairy cows.