Abstract
The preliminary results of this laboratory (unpublished) indicate that the nutritional value of whole wheat hay (wheat hay, for short) is very high, and the milk stage is the best period of wheat hay harvest. In this study, we investigated the feeding effect and economic benefits using wheat hay instead of alfalfa diet for dairy cows under the condition of the same energy and crude protein levels. Three types of diets were used: alfalfa diet, wheat hay diet and alfalfa + wheat hay diet. The results showed that the dry matter digestibility of alfalfa diet and alfalfa + wheat hay diet did not differ significantly (P > 0.1), but was significantly higher than that of wheat hay diet (P 0.1). There was no significant difference in milk somatic cell count and body condition score among the three groups (P > 0.1). The wheat hay diet could significantly increase milk protein and lactose (P contents of interleukin-6 in cows fed alfalfa diet and alfalfa + wheat diet were significantly higher than that in cows fed wheat hay diet (P 0.05). The use of wheat hay to replace imported alfalfa in whole or in part could save feed costs. Full substitution of alfalfa with wheat hay could have a daily economic benefit of 13.74 yuan.
Highlights
Roughage is the material guarantee of herbivorous animal husbandry
We investigated the feeding effect and economic benefits using wheat hay instead of alfalfa diet for dairy cows under the condition of the same energy and crude protein levels
The results showed that the dry matter digestibility of alfalfa diet and alfalfa + wheat hay diet did not differ significantly (P > 0.1), but was significantly higher than that of wheat hay diet (P < 0.05)
Summary
Roughage is the material guarantee of herbivorous animal husbandry. In cow production, the proportion and the quality of roughage are important factors affecting the performance of dairy cows. Since the production of high-quality roughage is insufficient in China, its roughage supply mainly relies on imports [1] This shortage is the major reason for the far lower level of average yield per cow in China than the world level. Wheat hay had a higher feed intake by beef calves than whole plant wheat silage, and the apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was higher for whole wheat plant hay [3] This laboratory preliminary study (unpublished) indicates that the nutritional value of wheat hay is high. If the potential of wheat hay as feed resources is fully realized, the crop is harvested appropriately and made into high quality hay for dairy cow feed; it is possible to alleviate the shortage of roughage production, providing new roughage resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and economic benefits of wheat hay instead of imported alfalfa for feeding lactating dairy cows
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