Effects of replacing canola meal as the major protein source with wheat dried distillers grains with solubles on ruminal function, microbial protein synthesis, omasal flow, and milk production in cows

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effects of replacing canola meal (CM) as the major protein source with wheat-based dried distillers grains with solubles (W-DDGS) on ruminal fermentation, microbial protein production, omasal nutrient flow and animal performance. Eight lactating dairy cows were fed in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods (20 d of dietary adaptation and 8 d of measurements). Four cows in one Latin square were ruminally cannulated for measurements of ruminal fermentation characteristics and flow of nutrients at the omasal canal. Cows were fed either a standard barley silage-based total mixed ration containing CM as the major protein supplement (0% W-DDGS, control) or diets formulated to contain 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS (dry matter basis), with W-DDGS replacing primarily CM. Diets were isonitrogenous (18.9% crude protein) and contained 3.0, 3.2, 3.5, and 3.7% ether extract for 0, 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS, respectively. Diets contained 50% forage and 50% concentrate. Inclusion of W-DDGS linearly increased dry matter intake (29.5, 31.2, 30.2, and 31.9 kg/d for 0, 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS, respectively). The addition of W-DDGS in place of CM resulted in a 1.2- to 1.8-kg increase in milk yield (42.9, 44.7, 44.1, and 44.5 kg/d for 0, 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS); however, a quadratic change in feed efficiency (i.e., milk yield/DM intake) occurred as the dietary level of W-DDGS increased. Treatments did not differ for milk fat, protein, and lactose concentrations; however, quadratic changes were observed in milk yields of fat (1.48, 1.56, 1.62, and 1.55 kg/d for 0, 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS, respectively), protein (1.44, 1.46, 1.49, and 1.42 kg/d) and lactose (1.96, 2.02, 2.09, and 1.93 kg/d). Ruminal fermentation characteristics did not change except that the inclusion of 20% W-DDGS resulted in a decrease and a tendency for a decrease in molar concentrations of isobutyrate and total volatile fatty acids, respectively. Omasal flow of total bacterial nonammonia N (NAN) and bacterial efficiency (g of total bacterial NAN flow/kg of organic matter truly digested in the rumen) were not different among diets; however, feeding W-DDGS resulted in a quadratic increase in nonammonia nonbacterial N flow at the omasal canal (271, 318, 336, and 311 g/d for 0, 10, 15, and 20% W-DDGS, respectively). These data indicate that W-DDGS can substitute for CM as the major protein source in dairy cow diets without negatively affecting ruminal fermentation, microbial protein production, and omasal nutrient flow, and can potentially increase dry matter intake and milk yield.

Effect of substitution of soybean meal by canola meal or distillers grains in dairy rations on amino acid and glucose availability

“…No significant changes in MUN concentration or plasma urea-N were previously observed when comparing SBM and CM (Sánchez and Claypool, 1983;Brito and Broderick, 2007), or SBM+CM and WDDGS (Chibisa et al, 2012), or when SBM, CM, and HPDDG were compared (Christen et al, 2010). However, Shingfield et al (2003) reported lower urea-N concentrations in milk and plasma with a CM diet compared with an SBM diet.…”

“…Previous studies reported no difference in milk fat concentration between corn and wheat or triticale DDG Abdelqader and Oba, 2012), or when comparing HPDDG with SBM or CM (Hubbard et al, 2009;Kelzer et al, 2009;Christen et al, 2010) andWDDGS with CM or SBM+CM (Abdelqader andOba, 2012;Chibisa et al, 2012). Schingoethe et al (2009) indicated that up to 40% DDG can be included in dairy rations without causing milk fat depression, providing that diets contain an adequate amount of fiber.…”

“…Over the last few years, several studies have compared lactation performances of dairy cows fed rations including SBM, CM, corn high-protein DDG (HP-DDG), or wheat DDG with solubles (WDDGS; e.g., Kelzer et al, 2009;Christen et al, 2010;Chibisa et al, 2012). These studies concluded that feeding these protein supplements may be as effective as feeding SBM to lactating dairy cows.…”

Use of indirect calorimetry to evaluate utilization of energy in lactating Jersey dairy cattle consuming common coproducts

“…Previous research comparing DDGS and canola meal treatments have reported similar DMI (Mulrooney et al, 2009;Mutsvangwa et al, 2016). However, this is in contrast with Chibisa et al (2012), who reported increasing DMI when wheat DDGS replaced canola meal. In the current study, the addition of coproducts to the diet did not affect DMI.…”

“…This may be because of the comparatively low inclusion rate of coproducts (10%) in the current study. Chibisa et al (2012) reported differences in DMI with wheat DDGS inclusion rates of up to 20%. In addition, Janicek et al (2008) reported that dairy diets containing as much as 30% of DDGS might result in an increase in DMI.…”