Intake and Digestibility of Brown-Midrib Corn Silage by Lactating Dairy Cows

<p>Two short-term trials evaluated brown-midrib-3 (bm₃) mutant (low lignin) corn silage for early lactation Holstein cows. In trial 1, five cows per group were individually fed a ration of silage and grain (60:40 ratio, dry matter basis) from week 2 through 8 of lactation. Lignin percentages for bm₃ and normal silages were 4.9 and 6.4. Cattle fed the bm₃ ration consumed 19% more total dry matter as percent of body weight than cows fed normal. Digestibilities of dry matter, cell-wall contents, acid detergent fiber, and energy were 3 to percentage units higher for the bm₃ration. Milk yield was not affected by ration, but milk fat percentage was higher for cows fed the bm3 ration. Total ruminal volatile fatty acids, pH, and ammoniacal nitrogen levels were similar. In trial 2, five cows per group were individually fed a ration of either ~ 3 or normal silage supplemented with a concentrate at an 85:15 silage to concentrate ratio (dry matter basis). Lignin percentages were similar. Lactic acid was higher and pH lower for bm₃ silage. All parameters of daily dry matter intake were higher by cows fed the bm₃ ration. Digestibilities of fiber components, energy, and nitrogen showed little difference between rations. Total digestible energy intake was 21.6% higher for cows fed the bm₃ ration. Milk and milk component yields did not differ between treatments. Total and individual rumen volatile fatty acids were<strong> </strong>higher and pH lower for cows fed the bm₃ ration. No difference existed in rumen ammoniacal nitrogen.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dairy Science

Year dc:date.available

1976

Author dc:creator

• Rook, James Allen

• Dairy Science

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/1284

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-2285