Related Experiment Videos
Digestibility and associative effects of protected tallow
Journal of Dairy Science
|April 1, 1980
Summary
Protected tallow supplementation in heifer diets improved energy and fat digestibility but showed negative effects on fiber, calcium, and magnesium. Further research is needed to determine optimal inclusion levels for protected tallow in cattle feed.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Ruminant Physiology
- Feed Science
Background:
- Protected fats are used to increase the energy density of diets for dairy cows.
- Understanding the digestibility and associative effects of protected fats is crucial for ration formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the digestibility of a protected tallow product and its associative effects when included in corn silage-based diets for growing heifers.
- To determine the energy value and impact on nutrient utilization of protected tallow.
Main Methods:
- Two Guernsey heifers were fed three dietary treatments including corn silage with varying levels of concentrate and protected tallow.
- Food intake, fecal output, and body weight changes were measured to calculate nutrient digestibilities using simultaneous equations.
- Gross and digestible energy of the protected tallow were determined.
Main Results:
- Protected tallow exhibited high digestibility for dry matter (78%), energy (83%), fat (91%), and protein (86%).
- Digestible energy of protected tallow was calculated at 5.28 Mcal/kg.
- Negative associative effects were observed on acid-detergent fiber (-24%), calcium (76%), and magnesium (5%) digestibility.
Conclusions:
- Protected tallow can effectively increase dietary energy density for heifers.
- Negative impacts on fiber, calcium, and magnesium utilization suggest potential limitations for high inclusion rates.
- Further investigation is required to establish safe and effective inclusion levels of protected tallow in cattle rations.