Utilization of Discarded Dates as a Source of Energy in Silage Fermentation and the Effect of Silage Produced on the Performance of Dairy Cows

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of corn grain by discarded dates on silage quality and their effect on digestibility, milk production and composition. Sixteen crossbreed lactating Friesian cows were assigned to four balanced groups and fed individually for 90 days on experimental rations whereas: all the groups were received a basal diet with one of four kinds of silages as follows: 100 % crushed corn grain (T1), 75 % crushed corn grain + 25% discarded dates (T2), 50 % crushed corn grain + 50 % discarded dates (T3) and 25 % crushed corn grain + 75 % discarded dates (T4) on gross energy based, respectively. Results found that there was slight tendency to increase silage DM content with increasing the entry level of discarded dates. Silages containing discarded dates displayed OM and ash contents nearly identical to those of the control diet. The pH values of the tested silage samples ranged from 3.89 in S1 to 3.72 in S4. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration in silage was decreased with increasing proportion of discarded dates in the silage. The digestibility coefficient of DM and OM were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the diets containing discarded dates than in the control diet. However, there was insignificant (P>0.05) increases in the digestibility of CP, CF, NDF and ADF for dietary treatment T2, T3 and T4 compared to the control (T1). Also, no significantly (P>0.05) different of dry matter intake was observed among dietary treatments. The highest actual milk and 4% fat corrected milk yield were recorded with T4 (10.87 and 10.24, respectively), while the lowest values for these items were corresponding to T1 (10.06 and 8.56, respectively) but the differences were not significant. Regarding of milk pH value, milk protein and ash contents have the same trend among groups with nonsignificant different among groups. However, there were significant differences in the milk percentages of fat, solid not fat (SNF), lactose and total solids between T1 (the lowest one) and each of T2, T3 and T4. Results of this study indicated that partial replacement of yellow corn grains by discarded dates up to 75% as a source of energy in silage did not show any negative effect on digestibility, feed efficiency, milk yield and composition in crossing Friesian cows.

Effect of Substitution of Yellow Corn by Discarded Dates on Production Performance and Digestion Coefficients of Lactating Barki Ewes

“…El-Shora et al (2014) reported that lactating Friesian cows fed 33 and 66% DD had higher nutrient digestibility of all nutrients and nutritive values (TDN and DCP) compared to control groups (p<0.05). Also, Abo-Donia et al (2019) reported an insignificant increase in the digestibility of CP, CF, and fiber fractions in dairy cows fed DD in the silage at levels up to 75% replacing CG.…”

“…The replacement of 0, 50, or 100% of corn grain in the diets of lactating Barki ewes with dates had no significant effect on milk production or composition (Khattab, 2013). Similarly, Abo-Donia et al (2019) reported that replacement of yellow corn grains in silage with discarded dates in crossing Friesian dairy cows' diets up to 75% had no significant impact on milk output and composition. However, Damani sheep fed 20 and 30% discarded dates on a dry matter (DM) basis produced more milk per day than those in control group.…”

“…Dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher in animals fed discarded dates compared to a control diet (Iqbal et al, 2019). However, Abo-Donia et al (2019) reported that no significant increase in DMI was observed by dairy cows fed discarded dates. Also, no significant differences in DMI were found in sheep and lactating ewes fed discarded dates (Khattab, 2013;Khattab and Anele, 2022).…”

“…Feeding sugar is preferable to feeding starch because sugar is immediately transformed into glucose with minimal nutritional loss (Chamberlain et al, 1993). Discarded dates are a valuable source of energy and might be added to ruminant animal feeds in replacement of imported corn grains, benefiting both the national economy and the date industry (Abo-Donia et al, 2019;El-Diahy et al, 2016;Iqbal et al, 2019;Shi et al, 2014;Suliman and Mustafa, 2014;Zadeh et al, 2015). Discarded dates are not suitable for human consumption, but they contain high quantities of total digestible nutrients and are palatable to ruminants.…”

“…The impact of feeding discarded dates on milk production and composition has been investigated by several studies (Abo-Donia et al, 2019;Allam et al, 2015;Iqbal et al, 2019;Khattab, 2013). The replacement of 0, 50, or 100% of corn grain in the diets of lactating Barki ewes with dates had no significant effect on milk production or composition (Khattab, 2013).…”