Effects of different corn silage: Alfalfa silage ratios and full fat extruded soybeans on milk composition, conjugated linoleic acids content in milk fat and performance of dairy cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different corn silage : alfalfa silage ratios and full fat extruded soybeans on milk composition, especially that of conjugated linoleic acids content in milk fat and performance of dairy cows. Sixty Holstein cows were divided into 6 groups for a 12 week study. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with 0 or 5% full fat extruded soybeans meal (dry matter basis) and three forage treatments (dry matter basis): (1) 13.5% corn silage, (2) 10.1% corn silage and 4.1% alfalfa silage, (3) 6.8% corn silage and 7.8% alfalfa silage. Full fat extruded soybeans addition increased the ether extract in diets and content of conjugated linoleic acids in milk, but it had no effect on fat, protein and lactose content in milk. Milk fat and lactose were not affected by replacing corn silage with alfalfa silage in diets. Increasing alfalfa silage content in the diets increased milk yield and milk content of conjugated linoleic acids and protein. Results from this study suggested that more alfalfa silage can be used in the diet of cow as a good source of forages.

Keywords: Conjugated linoleic acid, alfalfa silage, corn silage, full fat extruded soybeans

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5465-5464, 16 August, 2010