Effects of feeding lactating dairy cows diets containing whole soybeans and tallow

Four multiparous Holstein cows averaging 133 d postpartum and fitted with ruminal cannulas were utilized in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to investigate the effects of feeding diets containing whole soybeans and tallow. Treatments were 1) control, no added fat; 2) control and 10% whole raw soybeans; 3) control, 10% whole raw soybeans, and 2.5% tallow; and 4) control, 10% whole raw soybeans, and 4.0% tallow. Cows were fed for ad libitum intake a diet of alfalfa haylage, corn silage, and concentrate (45:5:50, DM basis). Intakes of DM and production of milk, milk CP, milk SNF, and 4% FCM were not affected by feeding supplemental fat. Production of milk fat and weight percentages and yields of long-chain fatty acids in milk fat were increased, whereas weight percentages and yields of short- and medium-chain fatty acids were decreased by feeding supplemental fat. Digestibilities of DM, OM, energy, cellulose, and fatty acids were decreased slightly when fat was added to the diet, but utilization of energy and N for production of milk was not altered. Supplemental fats increased concentrations of NEFA and cholesterol in plasma. These data indicate that relatively large amounts of unprotected fat can be added to the diet of lactating dairy cows without deleterious effects on milk composition, ruminal fermentation, or nutrient digestibilities.