Effect of Combinations of Fish Meal and Feather Meal on Milk Fatty Acid Content and Nitrogen Utilization in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The effect of supplemental fishmeal in combination with feathermeal at two different proportions in the diet on milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content was investigated. Recently, benefits to human health have been attributed to the consumption of this fatty acid, which is normally present in marine lipids. Six Holstein cows past peak lactation were used in a Latin square design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Fish- and feathermeals were prepared as pellets at 4:1 and 1:4 combinations and offered at 3.75, 11.75, and 27% of the diet. The supplements were top-dressed onto a basal diet based on corn silage that was progressively replaced by supplement. Nitrogen balance measures were made during the experiment because of the wide range in crude protein content of experimental diets. Milk protein content increased with level of supplementation in the diet reflecting the protein quality of the supplements used. There was overall higher milk DHA content when cows consumed the supplement containing more fishmeal than feather meal. Milk DHA content increased in a quadratic fashion, as more of either supplement was included in the diet. Apparent transfer efficiency of DHA from diet to milk declined with increasing amount of DHA in the diet. Results from this experiment suggest that transfer of docosahexaenoic acid from diet to milk may depend on diet composition and quantity present in the diet.

Effects of dietary fish meal and soybean meal on the ovine innate and acquired immune response during pregnancy and lactation

“…A previous enrichment study conducted by our group also showed n-3 FA enrichment in the milk of ewes that had been fed a FM diet during pregnancy and lactation and this diet was formulated in the same manner (Or-Rashid et al, 2010). The amount of FM supplementation that was used in this study is comparable to amounts used by the dairy industry to produce n-3 enriched milk (Wright et al, 2003), and FM as opposed to fish oil is typically used to prolong the shelf-life of supplements and to improve feed pelleting.…”

Milk quality of dual-purpose cows supplemented with biological fish silage (Pterygoplichthys sp.) as a protein source

“…Avramis et al (2003) reported that Holstein cows fed on maize and fish meal as feed supplements produced milk that contained 24.3 g L -1 fat, which is lower than that found in our study. Cows fed on diets supplemented with fish meal usually reduce milk fat content and total production of dairy fat (Wright et al, 2003). Spain et al (1995) indicated that the percentage and yield of milk fat decrease with a higher intake of fish meal.…”

Fatty Acid Profile of Bovine Milk Naturally Enhanced with Docosahexaenoic Acid

“…However, their concentration in milk can be increased by feeding diets rich in these PUFA (8). Wright et al (9) fed a custom-designed protein supplement containing fish meal as a source of DHA to dairy cows at different levels, and the FA (i.e., DHA) was increased from 0.26 to 0.72% of total FA. Fish oils (1.1% of total mixed ration as fed) have also been used to increase the DHA from 0.07% (control) to 0.51% of total FA in sheep's milk (6).…”

“…Although much has been done, research on the FA composition of market milk and dairy products we drink and eat in North America has been almost nonexistent to date. The present study was conducted to determine the fatty acid composition of retail milks, naturally enhanced with DHA, using a novel feeding strategy, which was the first innovation of its kind in North America .…”