Effect of feeding a reduced-starch diet with or without amylase addition on lactation performance in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to determine lactation performance responses of high-producing dairy cows to a reduced-starch diet compared with a normal-starch diet and to the addition of exogenous amylase to the reduced-starch diet. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows (51±22 DIM and 643±49kg of b...

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Published inJournal of dairy science Vol. 93; no. 2; pp. 723 - 732
Main Authors Gencoglu, H., Shaver, R.D., Steinberg, W., Ensink, J., Ferraretto, L.F., Bertics, S.J., Lopes, J.C., Akins, M.S.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.02.2010
Elsevier
American Dairy Science Association
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Summary:The objective of this study was to determine lactation performance responses of high-producing dairy cows to a reduced-starch diet compared with a normal-starch diet and to the addition of exogenous amylase to the reduced-starch diet. Thirty-six multiparous Holstein cows (51±22 DIM and 643±49kg of body weight at trial initiation) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments in a completely randomized design: a 3-wk covariate adjustment period during which the cows were fed the normal-starch diet, followed by a 12-wk treatment period during which the cows were fed their assigned treatment diets. The normal-starch TMR did not contain exogenous amylase (NS−). The reduced-starch diets, formulated by partially replacing corn grain with soy hulls, were fed without (RS−) and with (RS+) exogenous amylase added to the TMR. Starch and NDF concentrations averaged 27.1 and 30.6%, 21.8 and 36.6%, and 20.7 and 36.6% (dry matter basis) for the NS−, RS−, and RS+ diets, respectively. Dry matter intake for cows fed the RS− diet was 2.4 and 3.2kg/d greater than for cows fed the NS− and RS+ diets, respectively. Intake of NDF ranged from 1.19 to 1.52% of body weight among the treatments, with the RS− diet being 28% greater than the NS− diet and 13% greater than the RS+ diet. Milk yield averaged 50.4kg/d and was unaffected by treatment. Fat-corrected milk yield was 2.9kg/d greater for cows fed the RS− diet than for cows fed the NS− diet. Body weight and body condition score measurements were unaffected by treatment. Fat-, solids-, and energy-corrected milk feed conversions (kilograms/kilogram of DMI) were 12 to 13% greater for cows fed the RS+ diet than for cows fed the RS− diet. Dry matter and nutrient digestibilities were lowest for cows fed the NS− diet and greatest for cows fed the RS+ diet, and were greater for cows fed the RS+ diet than for cows fed the RS− diet, with the exception of starch digestibility, which was similar. Greater conversion of feed to milk for dairy cows fed reduced-starch diets that include exogenous amylase may offer potential for improving economic performance.
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ISSN:0022-0302
1525-3198
DOI:10.3168/jds.2009-2673