The soybean molasses in diets for dairy cows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of soybean molasses in the nutrition of lactating cows on their performance and some blood and rumen content parameters. Treatments included isoenergetic and isoprotein rations: total mixed ration (TMR) which included 1 kg of soybean molasses and TMR without soybean molasses. The use of soybean molasses in TMR for lactating cows increased yield of 4 % FCM (5.03 %). There was no difference in milk fat content and yield between treatments. The use of soybean molasses increased the concentration (3.45 vs 3.32 %) and yield (from 0.81 to 0.88 kg/day) of milk protein. Improved utilization of consumed ration dry matter (DM), energy and crude protein by 4.60, 4.81 and 7.82 %, respectively, was confirmed. There was no significant effect of including soybean molasses in TMR on ruminal pH value, number and structure of protozoa population nor on their motility. Soybean molasses had a positive effect on decrease of the urea blood concentration (5.45 vs 6.30 mmol/L) while no significant effects were observed for the concentrations of glucose, Ca and P in blood. Results of this study indicate that soybean molasses, as a source of readily available energy, can be used successfully in rations for lactating cows.

Keywords

• dairy cattle
• nutrition
• sugars
• total mixed ration