Long-term oral drenching of crude glycerol to primiparous dairy cows in early lactation

• Published in: Animal feed science and technology 2013-08, Vol.184 (1-4), p.58-66
• Main Authors: Kass, Marko, Ariko, Tiia, Samarütel, Jaak, Ling, Katri, Jaakson, Hanno, Kaart, Tanel, Arney, David, Kärt, Olav, Ots, Meelis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood metabolites; Crude glycerol; Early lactation; Milk production; Oral drenching; Primiparous dairy cow
• ISSN: 0377-8401; 1873-2216
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.06.004

The objective of this experiment was to study the long-term effects of supplemental oral drenching of crude glycerol (CG) on feed intake, milk yield and composition, plasma metabolites and energy balance indices of primiparous dairy cows in early lactation. Fourteen primiparous Holstein dairy cows were paired according to body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) at calving, and allocated at random to either a treatment or a control group. Both groups were fed a basal diet, containing 11.4MJkg−1 DM metabolisable energy and 103g/kg DM metabolisable protein, twice a day. Silage (ad libitum) and a pelleted concentrate mixture with mineral mix were fed separately during the three six-day periods from days 4 to 21 post partum. An oral drench of 500ml of CG mixed with lukewarm water was fed supplementally before the morning feedings to the treatment groups, while the control group were given no oral drench. Blood samples were collected on two consecutive days at the end of each six-day period before administration of glycerol. Results showed that long-term administration of CG increased silage intake (P