Corn grain processing associated with fat supplementation on performance and metabolism of dairy cows grazing a tropical pasture

Author(s)

Fernanda Batistel

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-06-25

Examining board members

Flavio Augusto Portela Santos; Claudio Vaz di Mambro Ribeiro; Ivanete Susin

• Advisor: Flavio Augusto Portela Santos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associative effect between flint corn processing and supplementation with calcium salts of palm oil (CSPO) in early lactation grazing cows on performance, metabolism, ruminal variables and fermentation kinetics. In Chapter 2, the aim was to determine the degradation kinetics of elephant grass and concentrates with different fat sources and methods of grain processing. The concentrate containing calcium salts of soybean oil reduced the volume of fibrous carbohydrates compared to the control and the concentrate containing calcium salts of palm oil - CSPO. Steam-flaked corn increased the final volume of NFC, the degradation rate of NFC, the rate of degradation of fibrous carbohydrates and reduced lagtime compared to ground corn. In chapter 3, the associative effect between flint corn processing and CSPO supplementation was evaluated to dairy cows in early lactation grazing on tropical pasture. Forty cows received the following treatments: a) ground corn without CSPO; b) ground corn with CSPO; c) flaked corn with no CSPO; and d) flaked corn with CSPO. After the period treatments period (90 days), the residual effect of these has been reported until 280 DIM. There was no interaction between corn processing CSPO for the variables evaluated. Flaked corn and fat supplementation increased mil yield by 7.7% and 16%, respectively. Flaked corn increased milk protein content in 8.3% and casein in 7.3% and reduced milk urea N by 25.8%. The CSPO reduced short-chain fatty acids (FA) and increased saturated FA and did not influence polyunsaturated FA. The net energy intake was increased by 6% and 4.3% when CSPO and flaked corn were fed, respectively. The efficiency of N utilization was higher for treatments with flaked corn and allowed a greater supply of AA to the mammary gland. Feeding CSPO and flaked corn allowed an increase of 12.7 and 4.6 % in total milk yield during lactation. In chapter 4, the same treatments from chapter 3 were applied to obtain ruminal and metabolic parameters. Four cannulated cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyric acid, isobutyric, isovaleric and the total VFA concentration were higher for steam flaked corn compared with ground corn. Furthermore, feeding steam-flaked corn reduced the acetate/propionate ratio and ruminal NH3-N concentration. There was no effect corn processing and supplementation with CSPO on average pH, minimum and maximum pH. However, the time that the pH was below 6.0 and below 6.2 was higher for steam flaked corn compared with ground corn. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/15923-1 - Effect of processing corn flint associated or not with calcium salts of fatty acids during early lactation of dairy cows kept on tropical pasture
• Grantee: Fernanda Batistel
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master