Evaluation of Dried Whey in Concentrate Mixtures for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

Abstract Five percent dried whole whey (trial 1) or dried whey product (trial 2) was added to the concentrate mixtures fed to lactating cows. In trial 1, ten cows per group in late lactation were fed in group either control or dried whole whey ration for 13 wk. In trial 2, five cows per group in early to mid-lactation were fed individually either control or dried whey product ration for 12 wk. Corn silage and alfalfa hay were offered ad libitum while concentrates were fed at 1 kg/3kg milk produced in both trials. Milk yields for cows fed control or dried whey were (trial 1) 17.2 and 16.1 kg/day, (trial 2) 23.9 and 23.7 kg/day. Milk fat percentage was highest for cows fed dried whey in both trials (trial 1, 4.66 and 4.76; trial 2, 3.33 and 3.62). Rumen volatile fatty acids (trial 2) were not influenced greatly by ration although propionate was lower and butyrate slightly higher in cows fed dried whey.