Influence of Particle Size on the Effectiveness of Beet Pulp Fiber

Abstract

Sixteen Holstein cows in midlactation were used in a design based on a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square with the last period removed to determine the influence of particle size of beet pulp neutral detergent fiber (NDF) on its effectiveness as a replacement for alfalfa NDF. Diets were a low forage, low fiber diet [12.1 g of alfalfa NDF/100 g of dry matter (DM)], a normal forage diet (low forage plus 7.8 g of additional alfalfa NDF/100 g of DM), and two low forage diets with 5.3 g of NDF/100 g of DM from either whole or finely ground dried sugar beet pulp. Replacement of alfalfa fiber with beet pulp fiber increased milk protein yield because of the tendencies toward increased milk yield and protein concentration. However, milk fat concentration and yield were unaffected. The addition of beet pulp fiber, either whole or ground, to the basal low forage, low fiber diet did not affect yields of milk, protein, or fat, but milk protein concentration tended to be lower for cows fed the beet pulp diets than for cows fed the basal diet. Reducing the particle size of beet pulp increased DM intake but did not affect any of the milk yield measurements. Particle size reduction of beet pulp did not reduce its effectiveness as a fiber source as measured by changes in milk fat content.

Effects of pressed beet pulp silage inclusion in maize-based rations on performance of high-yielding dairy cows and parameters of rumen fermentation

“…In consequence, neither was the mean daily NEL intake of the cows different between the treatments nor were the yields of milk, milk fat and milk protein affected. These findings are in agreement with previous studies comparing maize with beet pulp in TMR (Mansfield et al, 1994;Clark and Armentano, 1997;Voelker and Allen, 2003b). It is worth mentioning that both the inclusion level of beet pulp silage in the ration (20% of DM) and the level of milk yield were very high in the present study.…”

“…Mansfield et al (1994) reported a reduction in feed consumption because of the poor acceptance of the pelleted beet pulp. The replacement of alfalfa fibre with beet pulp fibre increased the DM intake by 0.4 kg/day in the study of Clark and Armentano (1997). Moisture content of silages has been reported to be negatively related to DM intake (Gordon et al, 1965).…”

“…Previous studies with fresh beet pulp indicated an increase in milk yield and a decrease in milk fat content Parkins et al, 1986). Experiments with rations containing dried beet pulp have reported inconsistent effects on feed intake, milk yield and fat-corrected milk yield (Mansfield et al, 1994;Clark and Armentano, 1997). However, in all experiments the performance of dairy cows was on a low level.…”

The Effect of Corn Silage Particle Size and Cottonseed Hulls on Cows in Early Lactation

“…Although particulate rate of passage was not measured, these results support the suggestion that CSH are of high palatability and that an increased rate of passage will accompany increased intake . Furthermore, these results are similar to others who have reported that rations containing NFFS may result in higher levels of DM and NDF fill in the rumen and that the NDF fraction of some NFFS may be less digestible in the rumen than that in forages (Bhatti and Firkins, 1995;Clark and Armentano, 1997).…”

“…In addition, time spent ruminating and number of ruminating bites per kilogram NDFI was significantly lower for diets containing CSH. The results of this study are similar to others that suggest chewing activity is reduced when NFFS are used to substitute for forage fiber (Clark and Armentano, 1997;Mooney and Allen, 1997;Allen and Grant, 2000). As previously mentioned, the inclusion of CSH also resulted in less material being retained on the sieve measuring 19.0 mm of the PSPS and was paired with lower chewing activities per unit of DM and NDFI intake and suggests that increasing the proportion of particles >19.0 mm is a primary factor affecting chewing activity.…”