Economic viability of feeding dairy cows on diets containing different levels of soybean oil

Marcos Aurélio Lopes,Luciana Andrade Lage,Marco Antônio Sundfeld Da Gama,Carlos Gustavo Santos Ribeiro,Norberto Mario Rodriguez,Fernando César Ferraz Lopes

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000900017

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of feeding dairy cows with diets containing different levels of soybean oil. Cows were fed diets based on tropical forage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) supplemented with different levels of soybean oil (0.0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% of diet DM). The calculations were made considering the prices of the dietary ingredients and the daily consumption of each dietary treatment. The milk quality-based payment was estimated on the bonus paid for milk fat and protein contents according to two systems used by companies of the dairy sector. The economic benefit was calculated as the difference between the income obtained from milk sale and the cost associated with animal feeding. The MOP scenario analysis (most likely - optimistic - pessimistic) was performed on the basis of the real scenario and variations in milk price and inputs observed in season and off-season periods over the years under study. The diet with 1.5% soybean oil had higher economic benefit when compared with those containing 3.0 and 4.5% soybean oil. All the dietary soybean oil levels would result in bonuses for milk protein content (higher than 3.03 and 3.21). Only the control diet showed a positive economic balance. The bonuses paid for milk protein content were insufficient to cover the additional costs associated with the inclusion of soybean oil in the diets, resulting in negative balances for the treatments with 1.5; 3.0 and 4.5% soybean oil, demonstrating the economic non-viability of supplementing diets of lactating cows with soybean oil.

Highlights

The inclusion of lipids in the diet of dairy cows is a common practice in intensive milk production systems
All the dietary soybean oil levels would result in bonuses for milk protein content
When the criteria of Cunha et al (2010) were used, all the dietary soybean oil levels would result in bonuses for milk protein content (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The inclusion of lipids in the diet of dairy cows is a common practice in intensive milk production systems. Studies conducted over the last ten years have shown that dietary supplementation with plant oils promotes a positive alteration in the milk fatty acid profile as a consequence of the reduction in mediumchain saturated fatty acids and increased concentrations of oleic acid and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk fat (Gama, 2010). Recent studies have focused on reducing the milk fat content of these saturated fatty acids and increasing the mono and polyunsaturated. The majority of studies involving dietary supplementation with lipid sources have been conducted with dairy cows fed diets based either on conserved forages such as corn silage and legume hay, or temperate forages in grazing systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of feeding dairy cows with diets based on tropical forage supplemented with different levels of soybean oil

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion