A note on the use of sugar-beet pulp silage and molasses in the diet of lactating dairy cows

• Published in: Animal feed science and technology Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 13 - 18
• Main Authors: Karalazos, A., Giouzeljannis, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.1988; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Milk and cheese industries. Ice creams; Animal feeding; Silage; Quality; Use; Molasse; Milk
• ISSN: 0377-8401; 1873-2216
• DOI: 10.1016/0377-8401(88)90123-X

Eighteen Holstein dairy cows in their first and second lactation were used in a change-over design experiment with 3 periods, each of 4-weeks duration. The aim of the experiment was to examine 3 isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets based on concentrates and wheat straw (A), maize silage and concentrates (B) and sugar-beet pulp silage, molasses and concentrates (C) on milk yield and milk composition. Milk yields (kg day−1) for cows offered Diets A, B and C were 18.4, 19.3 and 21.3, respectively. Fat contents of milk (g kg−1) for the same cows and diets were also 36.2, 37.1 and 34.3, respectively. Milk yield for cows offered Diet C was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than that of cows offered Diets A or B and milk yield for cows offered Diet B was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that for cows offered Diet A. Fat and solids-not-fat concentrations of milk were similar in all 3 treatments A, B and C. Finally, liveweight change of cows was not significantly different among treatments.