Feeding cows with agroecologically diets: intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation and N-utilisation

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this trial was to evaluate intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen balance, microbial protein synthesis and ingestive behaviour of dry dairy cow fed with agroecological diets with or without the addition of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes. Twelve Jersey dry cows non-pregnant (389 ± 56 kg BW and 32 ± 4.3 months age) were assigned three 3 × 3 Latin square, design experiment with 19 d-periods, 14 d for adaptation to diets and 5 d for sampling. Treatments were: (1) CON (traditional diet composed with corn silage and concentrate based on corn and soybean); (2) ECO1 (diet formulated by non-edible feedstuffs for humans) (3) ECO2 (diet formulated by non-edible feedstuffs for humans plus exogenous fibrolytic enzymes). Cows received ECO diets had higher dry matter and nutrient intake compared to animals that received CON diet. Cows received the ECO2 diet showed greater digestibility of NDF, cellulose and ADF compared to animals supplemented with the ECO1 diet. Animals received ECO diets showed higher nitrogen intake and higher nitrogen absorption and retention compared to cows supplemented with CON diet. Supplementation with ecologically correct diets positively influenced the digestion and metabolism of dairy cows, contributing to sustainable animal production.