Effect of replacement of barley meal with crude glycerol on lactation performance of primiparous dairy cows fed a grass silage-based diet

• Published in: Livestock science 2012-12, Vol.150 (1-3), p.240-247
• Main Authors: Kass, Marko, Ariko, Tiia, Kaart, Tanel, Rihma, Eve, Ots, Meelis, Arney, David, Kärt, Olav
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: barley flour; Barley meal; blood; body weight; Crude glycerol; dairy cows; dairy protein; dry matter intake; experimental design; free fatty acids; glycerol; Grass silage; grasses; Holstein; industry; lactation; Mid-lactation; milk yield; nutrients; protein content; rumen; Rumen environment; total mixed rations; urea; volatile fatty acids
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2012.09.007

The use of increasingly available glycerol, from the biodiesel industry, in dairy cow diets was assessed. The effects of replacement of barley meal by crude glycerol in a total mixed ration based on the grass silage on dry matter intake, milk yield and composition, rumen pH, silage degradability and metabolic status in mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows were evaluated. Eight, tie-stalled, primiparous cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square experimental design with two cows per treatment. Cows were paired according to milk yield and body weight, with one ruminally cannulated cow in each pair. The treatment period lasted 21 days of which 16 days were for adaptation. Cows were given a total mixed ration where barley meal was replaced isoenergetically by 0kg (control), 1kg, 2kg and 3kg crude glycerol per day per cow. An increased level of crude glycerol in the diet increased total intake (P