Whey Ultrafiltration Permeate Products as Feeds for Steers

A field trial experiment was conducted using 50 steers t o evaluate the feeding value of the ultrafiltrated permeate of whey (UFP) and products made from additional processing of UFP. All steers were fed nutritionally balanced grain mixes and hay. Experimental diets were control (C), in which the grain mix contained primarily corn, oats and soybean meal; UFP fed as the only liquid; partially fermented permeate (PFP), which contained 10% dried yeast added to the ultrafiltrated permeate, fed as the only source of liquid; fermented ammoniated condensed permeate (FACP), which replaced soybean meal in the grain mix; and ammolac (AMM), FACP plus vitamins and minerals. Steers fed C, FACP and AMM diets had free choice access to water. The liquid UFP and PFP were readily consumed by steers and supplied 4.8 l b of dry matter which replaced 5.3 l b of grain. Weight gains, total feed dry matter consumption and feed dry matter per weight gain were similar for steers fed all five diets , indicating that all four of these whey products were utilized as well as more traditional feeds. The quality of carcasses from steers fed the whey products were at least as good as and possibly better than from steers fed the control diet. The feeding of UFP or PFP would likely be the most economical alternative for feeding ultrafiltrated permeate of whey. However, some concentrating of the permeate to increase the solids content from the present 5.0 to 5.5% solids to greater than 10% solids may allow UPF or PFP to replace even more grain

Microbial protein synthesis in rumens of cows fed dried whole whey.

Two rumen-fistulated Holstein cows, weighing approximately 550 kg, were in an experiment with switchback design to evaluate effects of consuming large amounts (38% of total ration dry matter) of dried whole whey on synthesis of microbial protein in the rumen. Cows were fed total mixed rations of (dry matter) 45% corn silage, 10% alfalfa hay, and 45% concentrate mix. The concentrate mix was primarily corn and soybean meal (control) or 85% dried whole whey. Dry matter intakes averaged 16.4 and 15.3 kg/day for control and whey diets. Diaminopimelic acid nitrogen as percent of bacterial nitrogen was similar for both diets (.61 and .63% for control and whey diets). Likewise, aminoethylphosphonic acid nitrogen as percent of protozoal nitrogen was similar for both diets (.17 and .19% for control and whey diets). For the control diet, total ruminal nitrogen was estimated to be 45% bacterial and 27% protozoal. Bacteria and protozoa accounted for 52 and 22% of the total ruminal nitrogen in the cows fed the whey diet. Ruminal fluid volume (33.8 and 39.2 liters for control and dried whey diets) and dilution rates (10.2 and 12.8% h) were higher for dried whey. Ruminal ammonia (5.0 and 3.4 mg/dl) was lower for dried whey. Butyrate (16.5 and 24.4 moles/100 moles total volatile fatty acids) was higher, whereas propionate was lower (32.4 and 23.2 moles/100 moles total volatile fatty acids) when cows were fed dried whey. Bacterial synthesis appeared to be increased when cows were fed a diet containing large amounts of dried whey

Evaluation of urea and dried whey in diets of cows during early lactation.

Thirty-three Holstein cows were fed one of three concentrate mixtures supplemented with all protein (soybean meal), 1% urea, or 1% urea and 30% dried whey from wk 3 through 16 postpartum. Total mixed rations contained 40% (dry matter basis) corn silage, 10% alfalfa hay, and 50% concentrate mixture. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous at 16% crude protein, but soluble nitrogen was formulated to be approximately 23, 30, and 42% of total nitrogen. Milk yield was similar (33.8, 33.4, and 33.2 kg/d) for cows fed the three diets, whereas production of 4% fat-corrected milk (29.9, 28.0, and 29.2 kg/d) and solids-corrected milk (30.3, 28.6, and 29.6 kg/d) was higher for cows fed soybean meal and urea-dried whey. Milk fat percentages (3.23, 2.94, and 3.23%) were lower when cows were fed urea, but milk protein (3.10, 3.04, and 3.04%) and solids-not-fat (8.74, 8.79, and 8.81%) were not affected by diet. Dry matter intakes (22.0, 20.2, and 23.1 kg/d) were highest for cows fed urea-dried whey and lowest for cows fed urea. Molar percentages of ruminal acetate (56.6, 50.3, and 50.2%) were highest for cows fed soybean meal, propionate (24.8, 28.6, and 25.0%) was highest for cows fed urea, and butyrate (13.6, 14.4, and 18.4%) was highest for cows fed urea-dried whey. Concentrations of ruminal ammonia (11.8, 20.3, and 13.5 mg/dl) and serum urea (19.5, 22.9, and 16.5 mg/dl) were highest for cows fed urea. Utilization of urea nitrogen for milk production was improved by adding dried whey to diets of early lactation cows

Extruded blend of soybean meal and sunflower seeds for dairy cattle in early lactation.

An extruded blend of 44% crude protein soybean meal (50%), whole sunflower seeds (45%), and premix (5%) was evaluated as a protein and energy source for dairy cows in early lactation. Thirty Holstein cows (24 multiparous and 6 primiparous) were assigned to either a corn-oats-soybean meal concentrate or a concentrate where soy-sunflower blend replaced all soybean meal and portions of corn and oats. Dry matter of total mixed diets was 36% corn silage, 21% alfalfa haylage, and 43% concentrate. Yields of milk (33.6 and 33.8 kg/d) and 4% fat-corrected milk(30.9 and 30.5 kg/d) were similar, and percentages of total solids (11.92 and 11.38), fat (3.55 and 3.30), and protein (2.91 and 2.74) were lower inmilk from cows fed soy-sunflower blend. Milk from cows fed soy-sunflower blend contained fewer short- and medium-chain fatty acids, more 18-carbon fatty acids, and was more unsaturated than from cows fed soybean meal. Intakes of dry matter and changes in body weight were not different among diets. Ruminal fluid pH and molar ratio of acetate to propionate were higher, and concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and ammonia were lower in cows fed soy-sunflower blend. Concentrations of essential amino acids in arterial serum, calculated mammary uptakes, and transfer efficiencies indicated more desirable amino acid balance in cows fed soy-sunflower blend. Methionine appeared to be most limiting with both diets

Lactase activity in steers fed large amounts of dried whole whey.

Large amounts of dried whey (86% of concentrate mix, 60% of total dry matter intake) were fed to four Holstein steers in place of corn and soybean meal in the control diet to evaluate the extent and site of lactose digestion in the ruminant\u27s digestive tract. Diet dry matter was 70% as concentrate mix and 30% as corn silage fed for ad libitum consumption as a total mixed ration. Samples of rumen contents from steers fed dried whole whey contained more butyrate, less propionate, and less ammonia than from steers fed the control diet. Digestibilities of the whey diet were higher for ash and tended to be higher for energy and organic matter and digestibilities of acid detergent fiber and cellulose tended to be lower. Steers were sacrificed at the end of the feeding period, and intestinal tissue, and rumen, intestinal, and cecal contents were sampled for lactase analyses. No lactose was in rumen or small intestine, indicating virtually complete digestion. Lactase activity of intestinal tissue was greatest in the proximal third of the small intestine with little activity in the distal third of the small intestine regardless of diet. Lactase activity per gram tissue protein was similar for both treatment groups throughout the small intestine. Lactase activity of intestinal contents was similar for both treatments; it was greatest in the duodenum and lowest in the ileum and large intestine. Cattle have the capability to consume large amounts of dried whey without digestive disorders or reduced rates of gain