Lactational response of cows to different concentrations of calcium salts of canola oil fatty acids with or without bicarbonates

The Effects of High-Fat Diets from Calcium Salts of Palm Oil on Milk Yields, Rumen Environment, and Digestibility of High-Yielding Dairy Cows Fed Low-Forage Diet

Instability in grain prices led to continuing worldwide growth in the proportion of fat supplements in lactating cows’ rations. However, fat supplementation was associated with decreases in feed intake, rumen fermentation, and feed digestibility. The present objectives were to test the effects of high-fat diets from calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids (CS-PFA) in lactating cow rations containing high proportions of concentrate, on feed intake, milk yields, rumen environment, and digestibility. Forty-two multiparous mid-lactation dairy cows were assigned to three treatments, designated as low fat (LF), moderate fat (MF), and high fat (HF) that contained (on DM basis), respectively, (i) 4.7% total fat with 1.7% CS-PFA, (ii) 5.8% total fat with 2.8% CS-PFA, and (iii) 6.8% total fat with 3.9% CS-PFA. Rumen samples were collected for pH, ammonia, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) measurements, and fecal grab samples were collected for digestibility measurements. A numerical trend of decreasing dry matter intake with increasing CS-PFA in diet was observed: 28.7, 28.5, and 28.1 kg/day in LF, MF, and HF, respectively (p < 0.20). No differences between treatments were observed in milk yields and milk-fat percentages, but protein percentage in milk tended to fall with increasing dietary CS-PFA content (p < 0.08), which resulted in 6.4% smaller protein yields in the HF than in the LF group (p < 0.01). Milk urea nitrogen was 15.3% higher in HF than in LF cows (p < 0.05). Rumen pH was higher at all sampling times in the MF and HF than in the LF cows. Concentrations of propionic acid and total VFA were higher in LF than in MF and HF cows. The apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter was higher with LF than with HF (p < 0.002), and that of organic matter was lowest with the HF diet (p < 0.005). The apparent NDF digestibility declined with increasing dietary fat content, and it was 8.5 percentage points lower in HF than in LF cows (p < 0.009). Apparent fat digestibility increased with increasing dietary fat content, and it was higher by 10.4 percentage points in the HF than in the LF group (p < 0.004). In conclusion, diets with high concentrate-to-forage ratios, containing up to 6.8% total fat and 3.9% CS-PFA, negatively affected rumen fermentation and NDF digestibility in high-yielding dairy cows; however, the effects on yields were minor, indicating that, under specific circumstances, the inclusion of large amounts of CS-PFA in dairy cows’ rations with low fiber content is feasible.

Valorisation of fruit and vegetable discards by fungal submerged and solid-state fermentation for alternative feed ingredients production

The present research describes an integral strategy for valorisation of fruit and vegetable discards (FVd) in feeding application, using solid-state fermentation (SSF) and submerged fermentation (SmF), for both solid and liquid fractions obtained during these by-products handle and processing, using a strain of Rhizopus sp. After SSF, fermented biomass had 1.9 times higher protein content (up to 20.2 ± 1.7% DM) than the original mass and an improved amino acid (AA) profile (45.7 ± 1.8% essential AAs). Fatty acid (FA) profile was also modified during fermentation process, with higher monounsaturated (MUFA) and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) percentage in the final product compared with initial substrate. Phenolic compound concentration was double in final biomass than in initial substrate (up to 8.9 ± 1.5 mg GAE/g DM) and fermented product had higher antioxidant activity (DPPH reduction of 81.3 ± 7.7% and TEAC of 3.6 ± 0.3 mg/g DM). Compared with previously reported results, fruit complementation with vegetables increased the available nitrogen and resulted in higher biomass production. The fruit and vegetable leachate (FVL) obtained by centrifugation was treated by SmF and led, per liter of substrate, to 10.6 ± 1.4 g of fungal biomass and 3.3 g protein after 7 days of fermentation. Obtained fungal biomass was rich in PUFAs (27.1 ± 7.2% of total FA) and had an AA profile comparable to soybean meal, with 45.3 ± 1.5% of essential amino acids (EAA). In conclusion, results demonstrate that combined solid and liquid fermentation is a successful strategy for FVd valorisation to produce valuable alternative feed ingredient due to their high protein and the well-balanced lipid content and amino acid profile.

Effect of rumen-protected nutrients on feed intake, body weights, milk yield, and composition in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation

The effect of rumen-protected nutrients (bypass fat, BPF; bypass protein, BPP; or their combination, BPPF) was investigated in Murrah buffaloes during the early stage of lactation. Forty Murrah buffaloes (BW 531.92 ± 10.85 kg) just after parturition were randomly distributed into four groups according to parity and milk production. Buffaloes individually fed ration from day 0 to 90 postpartum according to feeding group and nutrient requirement. Control and BPF fed groups received a concentrate mixture, CM1 with 25% rumen-protected protein (using barley, wheat bran, and mustard oil cake), BPP and BPPF groups received a second concentrate mixture, CM2 with 40% rumen-protected protein (using barley, de-oiled rice bran, and cottonseed cake). Bypass fat fed groups (BPF and BPPF) additionally were supplemented with 15 g BPF (Ca salt of long-chain fatty acids) per kg milk yield in their respective concentrate mixtures. Dry matter intake, body weights, body condition score, and total milk yield were similar between groups (P > 0.05). Fat-corrected milk (FCM) production was improved (14.5%, P > 0.05) in groups fed BPP and BPPF, while significant (19.45%, P < 0.05) improvement was observed in BPF-fed group. Overall mean values of milk fat, solid not fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were found to be high (P < 0.05) in treatment groups as compared with control values. It may be concluded that supplementation with BPP or BPF either alone or in combination positively influences the quality of milk produced in Murrah buffaloes during early lactation and BPF additionally had improvement on the quantitative trait of milk as well.

Comparison of enriched palmitic acid and calcium salts of palm fatty acids distillate fat supplements on milk production and metabolic profiles of high-producing dairy cows

A variable response to fat supplementation has been reported in dairy cows, which may be due to cow production level, environmental conditions, or diet characteristics. In the present experiment, the effect of a high palmitic acid supplement was investigated relative to a conventional Ca salts of palm fatty acids (Ca-FA) supplement in 16 high-producing Holstein cows (46.6±12.4kg of milk/d) arranged in a crossover design with 14-d periods. The experiment was conducted in a non-heat-stress season with 29.5% neutral detergent fiber diets. Treatments were (1) high palmitic acid (PA) supplement fed as free FA [1.9% of dry matter (DM); 84.8% C16:0] and (2) Ca-FA supplement (2.3% of DM; 47.7% C16:0, 35.9% C18:1, and 8.4% C18:2). The PA supplement tended to increase DM intake, and increased the yields of milk and energy-corrected milk. Additionally, PA increased the yields of milk fat, protein, and lactose, whereas milk concentrations of these components were not affected. The yields of milk de novo and 16-C FA were increased by PA compared with Ca-FA (7 and 20%, respectively), whereas the yield of preformed FA was higher in Ca-FA. A reduction in milk fat concentration of de novo and 16-C FA and a marginal elevation in trans-10 C18:1 in Ca-FA is indicative of altered ruminal biohydrogenation and increased risk of milk fat depression. No effect of treatment on plasma insulin was observed. A treatment by time interaction was detected for plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), which tended to be higher in Ca-FA than in PA before feeding. Overall, the palmitic acid supplement improved production performance in high-producing cows while posing a lower risk for milk fat depression compared with a supplement higher in unsaturated FA.

Effect of fat additions to diets of dairy cattle on milk production and components: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

The objectives of this study were to critically review randomized controlled trials, and quantify, using meta-analysis and meta-regression, the effects of supplementation with fats on milk production and components by dairy cows. We reviewed 59 papers, of which 38 (containing 86 comparisons) met eligibility criteria. Five groups of fats were evaluated: tallows, calcium salts of palm fat (Megalac, Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Princeton, NJ), oilseeds, prilled fat, and other calcium salts. Milk production responses to fats were significant, and the estimated mean difference was 1.05 kg/cow per day, but results were heterogeneous. Milk yield increased with increased difference in dry matter intake (DMI) between treatment and control groups, decreased with predicted metabolizable energy (ME) balance between these groups, and decreased with increased difference in soluble protein percentage of the diet between groups. Decreases in DMI were significant for Megalac, oilseeds, and other Ca salts, and approached significance for tallow. Feeding fat for a longer period increased DMI, as did greater differences in the amount of soluble protein percentage of the diet between control and treatment diets. Tallow, oilseeds, and other Ca salts reduced, whereas Megalac increased, milk fat percentage. Milk fat percentage effects were heterogeneous for fat source. Differences between treatment and control groups in duodenal concentrations of C18:2 and C 18:0 fatty acids and Mg percentage reduced the milk fat percentage standardized mean difference. Milk fat yield responses to fat treatments were very variable. The other Ca salts substantially decrease, and the Megalac and oilseeds increased, fat yield. Fat yield increased with increased DMI difference between groups and was lower with an increased estimated ME balance between treatment and control groups, indicating increased partitioning of fat to body tissue reserves. Feeding fats decreased milk protein percentage, but results were heterogeneous. An increased number of milkings increased the milk protein percentage, whereas the difference between the treatment and control groups in duodenal concentrations of 18:2 fatty acids and dietary Mg concentration reduced the milk protein percentage. None of the fat treatments influenced milk protein production. The range of responses to different fats fed approached or exceeded 5 standard deviations from the mean and differed in point direction for all variables studied, indicating the varied and profound biological effects of fats. Responses to fat feeding were highly heterogeneous for all variables studied and heterogeneity was present within responses to individual fat groups. The lower DMI combined with higher milk and milk fat production showed that fats could improve the efficiency of milk production. More studies are required to more completely characterize sources of variation in responses to fats.

Ruminal biohydrogenation in Holstein cows fed soybean fatty acids as amides or calcium salts

Fatty amides of high oleate fats and calcium salts of palm oil were reported to resist biohydrogenation by ruminal microorganisms. This study was conducted to determine whether converting polyunsaturated fat sources to amides and calcium salts had equal ability to resist biohydrogenation. A total mixed ration consisting of forage and concentrate contained (dry basis): 1) 2.45% soybean oil (SBO), 2) 2.75% calcium salt of SBO, 3) 2.75% amide of SBO, or 4) 2.75% of a mixture of the calcium salt and amide (80:20, wt/wt) of SBO. The 4 diets were fed ad libitum to 4 multiparous lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulas in a 4 x 4 Latin square with 21-d periods. Omasal samples were taken to measure postruminal fatty acid content and determine the extent of ruminal biohydrogenation. Adding SBO to the diets as either calcium salts or amides increased omasal flow of C18:2 (n-6) from 25 to 39 g/d. Omasal flow of C18:1 increased from 36 to 49 g/d when SBO was fed to cows as calcium salts, but increased to 86 g/d when SBO was fed as amides. Adding the soybean amide to the diet more than doubled the delivery of C18:1 (n-9) to the omasum of lactating cows, but it also increased trans fatty acid production in the rumen accompanied by milk fat depression. In this study, calcium salts and amide derivatives of fatty acids were both effective in enhancing omasal flow of unsaturataed fatty acids in lactating dairy cows. Amides were more effective than calcium salts for increasing the postruminal flow of oleic acid.

The composition of bovine milk lipids: January 1995 to December 2000

Data from recent publications on bovine milk lipids are presented and discussed. This includes extraction of lipids, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, other complex lipids, sterols, isoflavones, and fatty acids. Improved gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography were used. Data on the trans and cis isomers of fatty acid and of conjugated linoleic acids are given, and the analyses are described. Papers about the lipids in milks and dairy products from the United States are few; where with the exception of trans-fatty acid isomers and conjugated linoleic acids, almost no research has been reported.

Effects of different forms of canola oil fatty acids plus canola meal on milk composition and physical properties of butter

Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 16-wk trial. A block of 10 cows received a control diet, based on corn silage, and the other block of 10 cows successively received four diets with 1) an extruded blend of canola meal and canola seeds, 2) canola meal and whole canola seeds, 3) canola meal and ground canola seeds, or 4) canola meal and calcium salts of canola oil fatty acids. Canola fat represented about 2% of dietary dry matter. Compared to control cows, treated cows had similar dry matter intake, milk production, and daily milk output of true protein or fat. Protein contents of milk was decreased by all treatments, with a lower effect of extruded or whole canola seeds. Milk fat contents was lowered by all treatments, extruded seeds and calcium salts resulting in most important effects. All treatments lowered the percentage of fatty acids with 12 to 16 carbons in milk fat, increased C18:0 and cis-C18:1 percentages, and the proportion of liquid fat in butter between 0 and 12 degrees C. Calcium salts and, to a lesser extent extruded seeds, resulted in most important improvements of milk fatty acid profile and butter softness, whereas whole seeds had low effects.

Effects of buffers on milk fatty acids and mammary arteriovenous differences in dairy cows fed Ca salts of fatty acids

Ten Holstein cows in early lactation were used in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square design to study the effects of MgO and three buffers added to diets containing Ca salts of canola oil fatty acids. Treatments were 1) control (basal diet; no buffer). 2) 1.1% NaHCO3 plus 1.1% KHCO3, 3) 1.9% NaHCO3, 4) 0.5% MgO, and 5) 2.0% Na sesquicarbonate (percentage of dry matter). The control diet contained 53% grass silage, 43% concentrate, and 4% Ca salts. Body weight, intake, milk yield, and percentages of milk fat, protein, and lactose were unaffected by treatments. Buffers and MgO tended to increase triacylglycerol extraction by the mammary gland and changed the proportions of some fatty acids in milk. Arterial concentrations of acetate and triacylglycerol were correlated with their respective arteriovenous differences. Extraction by the mammary gland was high for acetate (approximately equal to 58.2%), triacylglycerol (approximately equal to 47.3%) propionate (approximately equal to 34.6%), and glucose (approximately equal to 24.3%). Extraction of free fatty acids, phospholipids, or cholesterol was negligible. Mammary triacylglycerol arteriovenous difference tended to be higher than when MgO was fed than when NaHCO3 was fed. Sodium sesquicarbonate, NaHCO3, and the blend of bicarbonate buffers increased C18:2 in milk fat when compared with the control treatment. The concentration of C18:2 in milk fat decreased when MgO was fed, but the ratio of cis-C18:1 to trans-C18:1 increased compared with effects of dietary NaHCO3. Medium-chain fatty acids in milk fat tended to be higher than Na sesquicarbonate than with NaHCO3. Buffers and MgO modified the profiles of fatty acids in milk.