Effect of hydrogenated fat on feed intake, nutrient digestion, and lactation performance of dairy cows

Eight lactating Holstein cows were fed four diets in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine how hydrogenation affects fats as supplements for dairy rations. Four isonitrogenous diets contained either no added fat, 5% yellow grease, or 3 or 5% hydrogenated yellow grease. Only yellow grease reduced DM intake compared with DM intake of the control diet. Diets supplemented with fat had lower digestibilities of fiber, nitrogen, energy, and fatty acids than the control diet did. Ruminal acetate concentration and acetate to propionate ratio were higher for the hydrogenated fat than for yellow grease. However, fatty acid digestibilities were lower for diets containing hydrogenated fat. Milk yields of fat-supplemented diets, whether actual or 4% FCM, did not exceed the control diet except for 5% hydrogenated yellow grease. This study shows that hydrogenated fats have fewer negative effects on food intake, milk fat content, and ruminal fermentation but have lower digestibilities than other fats. Hydrogenation improved milk yield compared with yellow grease fed at the same amount of supplementation.