The effects of raw and steam-pressure toasted faba bean seeds on the production performance in high-lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Introducing new feeds for feeding options requires reliable information to prove beneficial impacts on animal productivity. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of 10% inclusion of raw faba bean seeds (R-FBS) and steam-pressure toasted FBS (SP-FBS) on dairy production performance and metabolism. Snowbird FBS were processed by steam-pressure toasting at 121 °C for 0, 7.5, 15, and 30 min. Total mixed rations (TMRs) were prepared using R-FBS (FBS0) and SP-FBS (FBS7.5, FBS15, and FBS30). The TMRs were fed to cows (second and third lactation, 69 ± 15 days in milk, and 720 kg mean BW) for 120 days (November 2020 to February 2021). Data were analyzed using a repeated 4 × 4 Latin square design model with treatment as the fixed effect and cows as the random effect. Feed efficiency was linearly decreased as processing times increased ( P = 0.02) from 1.63 with FBS0 to 1.52 with FBS30. Milk urea nitrogen decreased from 12.18 mg/dL with FBS0 to 11.10 mg/dL with FBS30 (linear P < 0.01). Heating FBS for 7.5 min could be suitable for increasing milk fat and feed efficiency in dairy cows. We believe that high-lactating dairy cows can be fed locally grown faba beans to support their production performance.