Sugarcane bagasse as only roughage for crossbred lactating cows in semiarid regions

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of different levels of sugarcane bagasse, as exclusive roughage, on nutrient intake and digestibility, feeding behavior, microbial protein synthesis, and dairy performance of crossbred cows. Ten lactating Girolando breed cows (600±34.3 kg body weight) were assigned to a replicated 5×5 Latin square design. The control diet, based on spineless cactus, sugarcane bagasse, and concentrate, was formulated to meet the average production of 20 kg of milk per day, with 3.5% fat. The evaluated levels of sugarcane bagasse were: 30, 38, 46, and 54% dry matter bases. The intake and digestibility of dry matter decreased linearly with sugarcane bagasse levels. Rumination time was higher in cows fed 54% sugarcane bagasse. The inclusion levels had no effect on non-esterified fatty acid contents or on the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, but beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations showed a quadratic pattern to the bagasse levels. Higher yields of 3.5% fat-corrected milk were obtained with cows fed 30% sugarcane bagasse. Sugarcane bagasse inclusion in the diet of crossbred dairy cows decreases their performance; however, the bagasse can be used as exclusive roughage when associated with 70% concentrate.

Substitution of wheat straw with sugarcane bagasse in low-forage diets fed to mid-lactation dairy cows: Milk production, digestibility, and chewing behavior

“…The chemical compostion of WS was typical of wheat grown in Iran (Kahyani et al, 2019a,b), but its nutritive value was poor compared with other research (Eastridge et al, 2009). The chemical composition of SB was similar to that reported by others (Ramli et al, 2005;de Almeida et al, 2018;Freitas et al, 2018). The greater NDF, ADF, and ADL concentrations of SB compared with WS resulted in more fibrous diets when WS was replaced by SB.…”

“…A high level of uNDF 288 reduces the amount of OM available for degradation in the rumen, and therefore is associated with lesser total-tract digestibility of DM and NDF (Freitas et al, 2018). Other studies have similarly observed a decrease in total-tract digestibility with incorporation of SB in diets (Corrêa et al, 2003;de Almeida et al, 2018;Freitas et al, 2018).…”

“…Although studies indicate that SB can be used as a source of roughage for beef cattle, only limited information is available that compares SB to other fiber sources for dairy cows (Corrêa et al, 2003;Sá Neto et al, 2014;de Almeida et al, 2018 reported that diets with increasing concentrations of SB (45 to 60% of DM), with SB replacing spineless cactus, decreased DMI and milk yield of low-producing dairy cows. Freitas et al (2018) noted that replacing spineless cactus with SB comprising 30 to 54% of dietary DM reduced milk yield from 22 to 16 kg/d. Corrêa et al (2003) also reported that using SB silage instead of corn silage decreased DMI and milk yield.…”

Milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows fed diets based on sugarcane bagasse in the Brazilian region

“…The milk samples were collected on days 19 th and 20 th during both milking periods, after the last collection, and the composed samples were made for each cow. The procedures for analysis of MY and content, as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration in plasma were made as described by Freitas et al (2018).…”

Valorization of dietary edible mushrooms waste: chemical and physical properties, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance in sheep

“…As a result of the lack of livestock feed resources, it is necessary to identify those factors causing the maximum nutritional efficiency of roughage materials in animal nutrition that can be increasingly used. 1 Approximately 70% of the cost of fattening livestock consists of animal feed and feeding, and the provision of cheap and balanced diets can improve the productivity of this trait. 2 Reducing production costs in the livestock sector is one of the industry's top priorities.…”