Nutritional and Keeping Quality of Total Mixed Ration Briquettes Produced for Lactating Dairy Cows

R H W M Karunanayaka,S N Dissanayake,U L P Mangalika,M A A P Kumari,T V Sundarabarathy,S C Somasiri,W A D Nayananjalie,W V V R Weerasingha,A M J B Adikari

doi:10.4038/sljae.v3i1.60

R H W M Karunanayaka, S N Dissanayake + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4038/sljae.v3i1.60

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Abstract

This research aims to find out the feasibility of the formation of different total mixed ration (TMR) briquettes. Six recipes (TMR1, TMR2, TMR3, TMR4, TMR5, and TMR6) were prepared by blending different combinations of forages and concentrates to balance the nutrient requirements of lactating dairy cows. Each TMR briquette was wrapped and stored at room temperature for three months and tested at monthly intervals for nutrient composition and shelf life. A cost analysis was performed to determine economic feasibility. The crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, nitrogen-free extract and non-fibre carbohydrate contents were not significantly different among the treatments at preparation and after 3 months of storage. Calcium, phosphorous and magnesium contents of the treatments were significantly different among the treatments at preparation and after three months of storage. There was no risk associated with the potentially toxic metals (Cd, Pb and Hg) in the treatments during the storage. Yeast & mould counts, total plate counts and free fatty acid contents were in the acceptable range in all treatments during the entire storage period. Weights of the briquettes were significantly decreased during the storage; however, heights were not different among the treatments. TMR5 and TMR6 resulted lower production costs per kg. The majority of the nutritional, shelf life and physical parameters were not significantly different among the six TMR recipes tested. Thus, 5 and 6 TMR briquettes were selected as the best two potential recipes for further studies.

Highlights

In the past, dairy cows were fed mainly with a forage-based diet supplemented with concentrates to provide some extra nutrients
Foragebased diets are not enough to meet the daily nutritional demand of high producing cows, the importance of feeding mixed rations included with different feed ingredients has emerged
It can be formulated to different animal groups i.e. growing animals, dairy cattle or beef cattle incorporating a variety of feed ingredients locally available (Lammers et al 2003)

Summary

Introduction

Dairy cows were fed mainly with a forage-based diet supplemented with concentrates to provide some extra nutrients. Foragebased diets are not enough to meet the daily nutritional demand of high producing cows, the importance of feeding mixed rations included with different feed ingredients has emerged. Total Mixed Rations (TMR) are a blend of forages and industrial by-products such as cereal by-products, distillery by-products, cereal hulls and oilseed meals with feed additives (Coppock et al 1981). It can be formulated to different animal groups i.e. growing animals, dairy cattle or beef cattle incorporating a variety of feed ingredients locally available (Lammers et al 2003). Research has shown that the imbalance in crude protein and energy levels in pasture-based diets supplemented with concentrates could be avoided by feeding nutritionally balanced TMR (Kolver and Muller 1998; Bargo et al 2002)

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