Evaluation of nonenzymatically browned sunflower seeds for lactating dairy cows

Two forms of nonenzymatically browned sunflower seeds were evaluated in two lactating dairy cow trials to determine their effect on animal performance and ruminal fermentation. In the first experiment, eight lactating Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square with 3-wk periods. Four treatments were used: (1) control diet with no added lipid, (2) sunflower oil (SFO), (3) untreated, ground sunflower seeds (GSF), and (4) nonenzymatically browned, ground sunflower seed (NEBS). In the second trial, thirty cows were assigned to one of three diets for a period of 6 wk. Diets were fed as total mixed rations that contained 40% of a 1:1 mixture of alfalfa and corn silage and (1) wet corn milling product (CMP) with no added lipid, (2) CMP + nonenzymatically browned sunflowers (NEBS), and (3) CMP + tallow. Our objective was to investigate the effect of supplementing a diet containing high amounts of wet corn milling product with RUP and RUL from nonenzymatically browned sunflowers on efficiency of fat-corrected milk production and composition of milk fatty acids. The results of these studies indicate that the oil in NEBS was partially protected from ruminal biohydrogenation and successfully elevated the desirable poly- and monounsaturated fatty acid content of milk fat, reduced saturated fatty acids, and increased CLA content in milk fat. The experiments also demonstrated that NEBS accomplish the positive alterations in milk fatty acid composition without reducing the output of milk fat. (Abstract shortened by UMI.

Effect of an Essential Oil Blend on Dairy Cow Performance during Treatment and Post-Treatment Periods

Essential oils (EOs) and their active components are attracting a lot of attention as sustainable feed additives due to their known antimicrobial properties against a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, protozoa, and fungi. They also have biological therapeutic, antioxidant, and flavor properties. They can be used for modifying the rumen environment and improving animal productivity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation with 2.5 and 5 g/head/day of an essential oils blend (EOB) of clove, oregano, and juniper in equal proportions on milk production and quality, and physiological status of early lactating Holstein dairy cows for 8 weeks of treatment followed by 8 weeks of posttreatment. The results revealed an improvement in milk yield (p ≤ 0.02) and feed efficiency (p ≤ 0.001) with EOB at a dose of 2.5 g/head/day. The percentages of milk protein and lactose were increased (p ≤ 0.03) with a high dose of EOB inclusion during the treatment period as compared with the control group. Milk fat percentage, fat-corrected milk, and energy-corrected milk were not significantly affected by EOB supplementation. The supplementation of EOB tended to decrease milk total bacterial and somatic cell counts when compared to the control group. The supplementation of EOB at both doses increased serum total protein (p ≤ 0.02) and globulin (p ≤ 0.05), and decreased cholesterol level (p ≤ 0.001) and creatinine (p ≤ 0.001) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the results show that the low dose of EOB had more desirable effects on milk yield, milk total bacterial count, milk somatic cell count, and feed efficiency than the high dose, suggesting that lower doses may not inhibit rumen microbial populations. Moreover, the low doses of EOB could be used as sustainable natural alternatives to antibiotics in livestock diets