Additives and their Effect on Fiber Utilization and Ruminal Fermentation Profile in Grazing Dairy Cows
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31285/AGRO.30.1848Keywords:
phytochemicals, monensin, rumen fermentation, in situ degradability, grazingAbstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium monensin (MON) and a phytochemical mixture (PHY) in dairy cows grazing alfalfa and supplemented with total mixed rations (TMR) on the: 1) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability of alfalfa hay (AH), 2) in-situ organic matter digestibility (ISDom) of different feeds (four cultivated pastures, AH, pre- and postpartum TMR, and a simulated diet of alfalfa+postpartum TMR), and 3) ruminal fermentation profile. Nine rumen-fistulated Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: control (C), MON (0.30 g/cow/day), or PHY (50 g/cow/day). Additives were incorporated into the concentrate portion of the TMR from 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum. NDF degradation kinetics of AH and ISDom were determined between days 56 and 60 postpartum. Rumen fluid was collected at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after feeding to measure pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acids (VFA), and protozoa counts. Both additives reduced the ISDom of the prepartum TMR (P<0.05) and the NDF degradation rate of AH (P<0.05) without affecting its potential degradability. They also promoted a more gluconeogenic VFA profile (P<0.05) and decreased protozoa counts (P<0.05). PHY further reduced NH3-N concentrations compared with MON and C (P<0.05). In conclusion, MON and PHY improved ruminal fermentation efficiency without affecting the potential for NDF degradation and PHY additionally enhanced nitrogen utilization, highlighting its potential as a natural alternative to MON in pasture-based dairy systems supplemented with mixed rations.
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