R. Bras. Zootec.01/Dec/2003;32(6 Sup..2):2016-22.
Performance of lactating dairy cows fed alfalfa haylage with microbial inoculant
DOI: 10.1590/S1516-35982003000800027
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding alfalfa haylage with microbial inoculat on dry matter intake, milk yield and composition in Holstein cows, at 135 ± 16.4 days in milk. A cross-over design with two periods of sampling was used. Treatments were alfalfa haylage (50.0% DM and 16.5% CP) control or microbially inoculated with Silobac® product (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus). Each experimental period extended for twenty-one days, the last five used for data collection. The inoculation did not influence DMI (inoculated = 17.8 vs. control = 17.8 kg/animal/day), 4%FCM (21.0 vs. 20.4 kg/day), milk yield (23.0 vs. 22.4 kg/day), fat (3.46 vs. 3.47%), protein (2.96 vs. 2.93%), lactose (4.64 vs. 4.67%), total solids (11.9 vs. 11.9%) and fat free solids percentage (8.49 vs. 8.48%), SCC (5.43 vs. 5.16 log cell/103/mL), MUN (11.7 vs. 12.1 mg/dl), acidity (15.9 vs. 16.4ºD), density (1030.1 vs. 1030.0) and cryoscopic index (-0.529 vs. -0.531ºH).
Keywords: lactic acid bacteria; Medicago sativa; milk yield