Effect of Feed Additives on Digestibility and Milk Yield of Holstein Cows Fed Wet Brewer Grains

Abstract

Aguilera-Soto J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Piña-Flores J.A., Medina-Flores C.A., Rodriguez-Frausto, H., Rodriguez-Tenorio, D. and Gutierrez-Bañuelos, H. 2009. Effect of feed additives on digestibility and performance of Holstein cows fed wet brewers grains. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 36: 227–230.

To evaluate different feed additives in cows fed wet brewer's grain, 5 ruminal-cannulated Holstein cows (470±45 kg; 18±3 kg d⁻¹ milk), were allotted to a 5x5 Latin-square design. A total-mixed diet containing 33% wet brewers grains (WBG) was provided including: 1) no additives (Control), 2) 1% sodium bicarbonate, 3) 1% sodium bentonite, 4) 33 mg kg⁻¹ sodium monensin and 5) 200 mg kgfibrolityc enzymes. Cows fed bicarbonate or enzymes had significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI). However, apparent digestibility of different nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Similarly except acetate propionate ratio (A:P) none of the ruminal parameters differed among groups. A:P followed the same pattern as DMI. Cows given monensin, enzymes and bicarbonate yielded more milk than control or those given bentonite. Except bentonite all additives increased milk yield.

Keywords:

• Wet brewer grains
• dairy cattle
• feed additives
• ruminal digestion
• milk yield