NutriDense corn grain and corn silage for dairy cows

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.