Effects of citrus molasses distillers solubles and molasses on rumen parameters and lactation

Effects of dietary citrus molasses distillers solubles (0, 6, 12, and 18% of DM) on diet digestibility and ruminal parameters were studied with four fistulated Holstein cows fed each diet in Latin square sequence. Diets were 25% cottonseed hulls with solubles substituted for corn. Dry matter and organic matter digestibilities were increased curvilinearly with peak at 6%. Crude protein digestibility was depressed linearly and ADF curvilinearly with added solubles. Ruminal acetic acid proportion increased linearly and propionic acid decreased curvilinearly. Change in butyric acid was small with 0, 6, and 12% solubles but it increased dramatically with 18%. In a 36-cow (107 cow-period) lactation experiment with corn silage-based and cottonseed hull-based diets (0, 3, 6, and 9% solubles) milk yield increased; the diet containing 6% solubles gave highest production. We compared cane molasses (3 and 6%), liquid hemicellulose extract (3%, Masonex), and liquid lignin sulfonate (3%, Flambeau) added to cottonseed hull diets. Linear increases in milk yield and FCM were obtained with cane molasses; Flambeau and Masonex effects on production were not different from control. With diets and amounts used in these experiments, citrus molasses solubles and cane molasses each at up to 6% of DM nutritionally were superior to corn.