Abstract
Simple SummaryWith its drought tolerant and high productive characteristics, Zhang hybrid millet is becoming an important food source for both humans and animals. Whole plant Zhang hybrid millet has great potential in lowering feed cost while providing relatively high crude protein, vitamin, and mineral content. This study aimed to disclose whether harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation can improve ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of whole Zhang hybrid millet, and explore the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff on milk yield and milk quality. Results showed that the interaction effect of harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation had significant influence on the crude ash, Acid detergent fiber (ADF), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP) content and effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Early harvested whole Zhang hybrid millet with microbial anaerobic fermentation appeared to have a better chemical profile with lower content of crude ash, Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), ADF, and higher content of WSC, and a better ruminal degradability with lower EDDM, effective degradability of neutral crude protein EDCP, and effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber (EDNDF). Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff did not significantly affect milk components, but significantly reduced somatic cell count ( SCC) compared with controls. Milk yield was numerically higher in whole Zhang hybrid millet groups. Collectively, harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could further improve the nutritive value of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as an alternative feedstock for dairy diet was safe and feasible.This study assessed whether harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could affect ruminal degradability and intestinal digestibility of whole Zhang hybrid millet, and estimate the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff on milk yield and milk quality. Protein degradation and intestinal digestion were determined using in situ nylon bag technique and three-step in vitro method, respectively. Results showed that harvest time, microbial anaerobic fermentation, or their interaction significantly affected EDDM, EDCP, and EDNDF (p < 0.05). In vitro fermentation was significantly influenced by harvest time. Early harvested samples appeared to have higher Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and lower acetate: propionate ratio than late harvested ones (p < 0.01). However, significant effect of harvest time and fermentation was failed to find in the estimation of rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) (p > 0.05). Microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet as feedstuff provided similar milk compositions compared with controls, and it significantly reduced SCC (p = 0.04). Milk yield was numerically higher in whole Zhang hybrid millet groups. In conclusion, harvest time and microbial anaerobic fermentation could further improve ruminal utilization of whole Zhang hybrid millet. Whole Zhang hybrid millet could be an alternative feedstock for dairy cows with acceptable safety profile and potential benefit in milk production.
Highlights
With the development of dairy industry in China, the number of dairy cows on hand is increasing, correspondingly, the demand for forage is increasing
The current study aimed to discover the commercial value of Zhang hybrid millet in the feeding system of dairy cows by evaluating the effect of microbial anaerobic fermented whole Zhang hybrid millet in replacement of partial Chinese wild rye grass, alfalfa hay, or maize straw in the diet of dairy cattle on milk composition and milk yield
EH and EF samples resulted in a better total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) (p < 0.01), and a lower acetate: propionate ratio (p < 0.01) compared with late harvested hay (LH) and LH
Summary
With the development of dairy industry in China, the number of dairy cows on hand is increasing, correspondingly, the demand for forage is increasing. As feed cost accounts for 60–70% of the total cost of dairy cow breeding, it is urgent to find a feedstuff with low cost and high utilization. In China’s dairy cattle breeding industry, the main forages used are Chinese wild rye grass, alfalfa hay, and tall oat grass. High quality alfalfa hay and tall oat grass mainly rely on import, which increases feeding cost. Chinese wild rye grass mainly comes from natural grassland, which often mixes with other forages. The nutrient content of Chinese wild rye is unstable, as it can be affected by the nutrient content of grassland and climate. The lack of high quality forage provided us with a constant impetus to develop new type of forage
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