Response of lactating dairy cows to steam-flaked sorghum, steam-flaked corn, or steam-rolled corn and protein sources of differing degradability

J Dairy Sci. 1999 Apr;82(4):728-37. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75290-2.

Abstract

Protein sources with different degradabilities were fed to 48 lactating Holstein cows receiving 37 or 39% of dietary dry matter as steam-flaked sorghum (360 g/L), steam-flaked corn (360 g/L), or steam-rolled corn (490 g/L) in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cows were fed an alfalfa-based diet with 7% soybean meal or 5% of an animal-marine protein blend and 37 or 39% grain. Although not significant, cows fed flaked grain yielded a mean of 1.5 kg/d more milk than did those fed rolled grain. Gross feed efficiency was not affected by grain processing or protein source, but diets with the animal-marine protein blend had 9% higher estimated net energy for lactation than did diets with soybean meal. The greater gains in body weight and increased digestibility of the diets with the animal-marine protein blend verify the higher energy concentration of those diets. Yield of milk protein was increased by flaked grain or the animal-marine protein blend, and flaked grain increased percentages of lactose and solids nonfat. Increasing the ratio of rumen-degradable starch to rumen-degradable protein increased milk protein content and yield linearly and increased contents of lactose and solids nonfat. A linear response of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and starch digestibilities was observed as the ratio of rumen-degradable starch to rumen-degradable protein increased. These data show improved performance of dairy cows fed a high rumen-undegradable protein source with diets high in rumen-degradable starch from steam-processed grains.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Cattle / physiology*
  • Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Proteins / metabolism*
  • Digestion
  • Edible Grain*
  • Female
  • Food Handling*
  • Glycine max
  • Hot Temperature
  • Hydrolysis
  • Lactation*
  • Medicago sativa
  • Particle Size
  • Rumen / metabolism
  • Starch / metabolism
  • Zea mays*

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins
  • Starch