An examination of the effects of level of fish oil inclusion in the diet on forage intake, milk yield and composition of lactating dairy cattle offered two levels of concentrates

Abstract

Milk quota restricts the volume and butterfat content of milk production within the European Community. Consequently, reducing the butterfat concentration of milk enables greater volumes of milk to be produced within a given quota, provided the national butterfat base has been exceeded, as has occurred in the United Kingdom in recent years. For example, milk volume supplied within a given quota may be increased by 0.18 for each 10 g/kg decrease in butterfat content. Consequently, there is considerable interest in developing strategies to decrease butterfat content whilst maintaining milk output. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of level of fish oil inclusion on the silage intake of, and animal performance from, lactating dairy cows offered two levels of concentrates.