Distillers dried grains with solubles compared with rapeseed meal in rations of dairy cows

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess if similar performances of high-yielding dairy cows can be achieved with a high proportion of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) consisting of 90% wheat and 10% barley compared with rapeseed oilmeal (RSM) in the diet. Of a total of 32 dairy cows, 16 were fed RSM as a protein source (16.5% of ration), the others DDGS. Equivalent high dry matter intakes, milk yield, milk fat percentage and milk lactose percentages were observed. Milk protein percentages were lower when DDGS was given. Milk fat, protein and lactose yields nonetheless showed no significant differences when RSM or DDGS were fed. Since similar performances were reached with DDGS and RSM, the tested DDGS can replace RSM as a protein source in the feed of high-yielding dairy cows up to the tested amount of 16.5% of the ration