Feeding the residue from the extraction of cassava starch to dairy cows: Effects on nutrient digestibility and...

The effect of different levels of residue from the extraction of cassava starch (REAM) in the diet of multiparous lactating Holstein cows was investigated. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná. Five multiparous Holstein cows, with mean milk production of 30.65 ± 1.17 kg/day were distributed into five treatments, using Latin squares (5 × 5). Treatments consisted of inclusion (0, 8, 16, 24 and 32% dry matter basis) of REAM in the diet. Intake, digestibility, milk production and composition as well as blood parameters were measured. Except for ether extract and total digestible nutrients, the intake variables did not differ significantly between treatments. Except for the digestibility of crude protein, all digestibility values decreased progressively with inclusion levels of REAM. The inclusion of REAM in feeding of lactating Holstein cows up to 32% of the diet reduced milk production by 15%, however, it did not alter milk production efficiency, fat, total solids and blood parameters. We conclude that up to 16% of REAM can be included in the diet; however, higher levels may lead to a significant fall in productivity.