The Substitution of Corn Silage with Potato Pulp Silage at Differing Level in Dairy Cows on Milk Yield, Composition and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids*

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of potato pulp silage (PPS) prepared with wheat bran and barley straw and the effects of the substituting corn silage with potato pulp silage at differing levels in dairy cows on milk yield, composition and rumen volatile fatty acid (VFA). The study consisted of two experiments. Nutrient con-tents, fermentation parameters, in situ organic matter (OM) and starch degradabilities, in vitro digestibility (IVD) and metabolic energy (ME) content of PPS were determined in the first experiment. The effects of substituting corn silage with potato pulp silage at 0%, 15%, 30% and 45% in the diet of lactating 12 dairy cows on feed intake, milk yield, milk components, rumen fermentation parameters were evaluated in the second experiment. While dry matter (DM), OM and crude protein (CP) contents, pH of silages were statistically similar, starch content, in vitro organic matter digesti-bility (IVOMD), ME, net energy lactation (NEL), and lactic acid values were significantly higher in PPS compared with corn silage (P<0.05). Organic matter intake, milk yield, the composition of milk, post-feeding pH and total VFA levels of ruminal fluid at all sampling hours were similar among the dairy cows (P>0.05). It was concluded that; PPS prepared with wheat bran and straw had a very good silage quality and were even better than corn silage (control). Substitution of corn silage with PPS up to 45% did not cause any negative effects on rumen fermentation parameters and can be safely substituted with corn silage up to 45% in dairy cow diets.