Replacement of Forage Fiber Sources with Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles and Corn Germ Meal in Holstein Calf Diets

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of replacement of forage fiber sources from alfalfa and Leymus chinensis with nonforage fiber sources (NFFS) from dried distillers grains with solubles and corn germ meal on calves growth, rumen development and blood parameters. Forty eight female and twelve male calves (110.55±15.36) kg of body weight and 12 weeks of age) were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments (15 calves/treatment) in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were: 0% NFFS (control), 9% NFFS (group 1), 18% NFFS (group 2), 27% NFFS (group 3), and contained equivalent neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients, respectively. The dry matter intake was similar among diets, averaging 3.33 kg d-1 , and no differences were detected for body weight, withers height, body length, and heart girth. In addition, the development of rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum also were similar among diets. Dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities increased with the increasing levels of NFFS in the experimental diets, but had no significant effect. Blood urea nitrogen, total protein, and glubulin were not affected by the dietary treatment, but group 3 resulted in the highest (P<0.05) concentrations of glucose and lowest (P<0.05) concentrations of triglycerides and albumin. In conclusion, DDGS and CGM were available and alternative fiber sources for Holstein calf diets.

Ruminal kinetics and degradability of energetic feedstuffs used in diets for ruminants

“…In the study of Ranathunga et al (23) , the starch content decreased in the diet by replacing ground corn with dry distillers grains with solubles and soybean hull did not affect milk yield and components. Xu et al (17) also verified that the replacement of forages with dry distillers grains with solubles and corn germ in diets with similar NDF and total digestible nutrients did not alter the growth, rumen development and apparent nutrient digestibility of Holstein calves after weaning.…”

“…In the latter, corn is subjected to cleaning and grinding in an impact or attrition mill, separating the germ, the pericarp and the endosperm tip. The germ from dry milling contains lower lipid content (approximately 13%) compared to wet milling (50%), and is intended for animal feed (16,17) .…”