Effects of NDF and Fat Rich By-Products on Performance of Early Lactating Cows

Levels of rolled maize, soybean meal and wheat bran in early lactating dairy cows diets were partially replaced by tofu cake, brewers grain and full-fat rice bran, and their effects were studied. Sixty-eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in an experiment in a randomized block design to investigate the effects of the diets on ruminal fermentation characteristics, digestion, plasma composition and milk production. Three diets LB (low), MB (medium) and HB (high) were prepared using different levels of by-products. The cows were divided into three groups, A (n=24), B (22) and C (22), and each group was fed one of three treatment diets as total mixed rations for 15 weeks after calving. Results showed that the by-products level did not affect the dry matter intake of cows. Increasing by-products level in diet increased gross energy content but decreased total tract apparent energy digestibility of the diet. Therefore, by-products level did not affect the digestible energy intake. Milk yield was lower (P