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NutriDense corn grain and corn silage for dairy cows
B C Benefield1, M Liñeiro, I R Ipharraguerre
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801, USA.
Journal of Dairy Science
|April 12, 2006
Summary
NutriDense (ND) and leafy NutriDense (LND) corn hybrids, when fed to lactating dairy cows, showed similar performance to conventional yellow dent (YD) hybrids. These novel corn varieties did not negatively impact milk production or ruminal fermentation.
Area of Science:
- Animal and Dairy Science
- Agronomy
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Novel corn hybrids like NutriDense (ND) and leafy NutriDense (LND) offer potentially altered nutritional profiles compared to conventional yellow dent (YD) hybrids.
- Understanding the impact of these hybrids on ruminant digestion and dairy cow performance is crucial for optimizing feed strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of ND, LND, and YD corn hybrids in whole-plant silage and grain forms on lactating dairy cows.
- To evaluate impacts on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and milk production.
Main Methods:
- A replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with twenty multiparous Holstein cows (4 with ruminal cannulas).
- Diets consisted of 30.6% corn silage and 27.7% corn grain from combinations of YD, ND, and LND hybrids.
- Measurements included dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal parameters, and milk yield and composition.
Main Results:
- ND grain and LND silage had higher crude protein, fiber, and ether extract, but lower nonfibrous carbohydrates and starch than YD counterparts.
- While dry matter intake was similar, ND/LND diets altered nutrient intake profiles, increasing ether extract and decreasing starch.
- Starch digestibility was highest with LND silage and YD grain; ether extract digestibility increased with ND grain and/or LND silage.
- Ruminal ammonia nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen tended to increase with ND/LND feeding.
- Milk production (yield and composition) was not significantly different among diets.
Conclusions:
- ND grain and LND silage can be effectively utilized in lactating dairy cow diets, showing comparable performance to conventional YD hybrids.
- The altered nutrient composition of ND and LND hybrids influences nutrient digestibility and ruminal parameters without compromising milk production.
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