Effects of saturated fat supplementation and forage-neutral detergent fiber content on production performance of lactating buffaloes

Objective The study aimed to find out the effects of dietary forage-neutral detergent fiber (fNDF), saturated fat, and their interaction on milk production, composition, and blood metabolites in lactating buffaloes. Methods Sixteen multiparous buffaloes received 4 treatments with 2 different levels of fNDF and saturated fat according to a changeover design with 6-wk periods under restricted feed intake. Within each fNDF level, the buffaloes received 1 of the 2 saturated fat levels for 3-week subperiods, which corresponded to the following treatments: 1) 23.4% fNDF and 0% fat, 2) 23.4% fNDF and 2% fat, 3) 33.5% fNDF and 0% fat and 4) 33.5% fNDF and 2% fat. Results Increasing fNDF levels increased the body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and rumen pH. Despite these changes, levels of fNDF did not alter the milk components and yield. Dietary saturated fat supplies improved milk fat content and tended to enhance the yields of milk fat and fat-corrected milk. In addition, the saturated dietary fat supplies increased BW, milk nitrogen efficiency, and cholesterol concentration, and decreased predicted methane yield. However, the milk yield, BCS, and rumen pH remained unaffected by dietary fat supplies. A high fNDF diet with dietary saturated fat supplementation tended to increase the milk fat content. Conclusion Balancing diets with saturated fats and fiber significantly affects productivity. These results indicate that feeding fNDF with saturated fat may be a viable option for producers to improve milk fat production, enhance body condition, and reduce methane production in buffaloes

Effects of peripartal glucose precursor supplementation on lactation performance and metabolic health of primiparous and multiparous dairy cows

Objective Hyperketonemia remains a major metabolic issue of serious milk production and a major health concern in early lactation cows. Oral supplementation of glucose precursors (GP) can be used to prevent hyperketonemia in dairy cows. The objective of this study was to compare the beneficial effects of orally supplementing a mixture of GP on metabolic health indicators and milk production status of primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows. Methods Twenty-eight Holstein cows were blocked by expected date of parturition, previous lactation yield, and parity. The cows were randomly allocated to one of the four treatment groups (n = 7 cows/group) based on their parity and GP supplementation: i) PP cows fed basal diet only (PP-CON), ii) PP cows with oral supplementation of GP (PP-GP), iii) MP cows fed basal diet only (MP-CON), and iv) MP cows with oral supplementation of GP (MP-GP). Glucose precursor (glycoline liquid) was orally drenched (300 mL/d) in GP cows from 7 days prepartum through 7 days postpartum. Other than GP supplementation, all cows were fed similar pre- and postpartum basal diets. Results In both pre- and postpartum periods, serum glucose concentration was increased, whereas β-hydroxybutyrate and free fatty acids were decreased in GP cows compared with the CON cows. Milk yield and milk components were statistically not different between GP and CON cows over the first 9 week of lactation. The yield of actual milk, energy-corrected milk, 63-days cumulative milk, colostrum yield, and calf birth weight remained higher in MP cows compared with PP cows. Conclusion Oral drenching of GP around calving can be recommended to successfully improve the metabolic health and reduce the negative effects of hyperketonemia not only in MP but also in PP dairy cows