Fresh Pulped Food Waste Replaces Supplemental Protein and a Portion of the Dietary Energy in Total Mixed Rations for Beef Cows

Abstract

Three trials utilizing 215 crossbred beef cows were conducted over 3yr to evaluate the efficacy of replacing a portion of the diet with fresh pulped food waste (FPF) collected from university cafeterias. In trial 1 (T1), trial 2 (T2), and trial 3 (T3) 68, 73, and 74 beef cows in the third, second, and second trimester, respectively, were blocked by parity (first parity vs two or more parities), then stratified to six treatment pens according to body condition, subject to variation in body weight. The duration of T1, T2, and T3 were 99, 190, and 225 d, respectively. Trials were terminated each year following a timed insemination to a synchronized estrus. Control cows were fed a corn silage-shelled corn and soybean meal diet during T1 and T2, and a soybeanlage-shelled corn diet during T3, according to NRC estimates. Treatment cows received similar diets where FPF replaced 50% of the forage (wet weight basis) and all soybean meal. Treatment and control diets were not designed as isonitrogenous nor isocaloric. Chemical analysis found FPF to contain 46.1 ± 9.6% DM, 20.3 ± 6.8% ADF, 19.5 ± 6.8% Cellulose, 0.6 ± 1.1% ADL, 0.27 ± 0.23% AIA, 29.4 ± 7.2% CP, and 15.8 ± 3.3% EE. During T1, T2, and T3, EE was higher (P<0.05) for treatment than control diets. During T3 ADF was higher (P<0.05) for control than treatment diets but did not differ for T1 and T2. During T2 and T3, CP was higher for treatment than control diets but did not differ for T1. Body weight and condition score changes were not different (P>0.05) between control and treatment cows for T1, T2, or T3. Similar (P>0.05) calf survival rates at birth and weaning rates were observed for control and treatment cows during T1, T2, and T3. Milk production (kilograms per day), and milk fat and protein percentage did not differ (P>0.05) between control and treatment cows for T1, T2, and T3. Ending weights and ADG were higher (P<0.05) for calves nursing cows fed FPF. The data of this study suggest that FPF can serve as an alternative feedstuff in diets of beef cows; however, the Mammalian Protein-Ruminant Feed Ban prohibits the feeding of food waste unless it has been heat processed.