Effect of protein concentrate supplementation on the composition of amino acids in milk from dairy cows in an organic farming system

Abstract

Our experiment examined the effect of feeding a protein concentrate supplement on the composition of amino acids in milk from dairy cows managed in an organic farming system. The experiment included two groups of cows. Animals in both groups received an identical basic feed ration composed of maize silage, clover-grass haylage from the first cutting, grass haylage from the first cutting, winter wheat and spring barley. The first group of dairy cows (n = 10) served as a control without the addition of protein concentrate to the feed ration. The second experimental group (n = 10) received in addition to the basic feed ration a protein concentrate composed of soybean, sunflower and linseed cakes at rate 1 kg per head per day. The experiment lasted 30 days. Milk analysed for amino acid content was sampled at 10-day intervals. Addition of the protein concentrate significantly increased milk contents of aspartic acid, proline, threonine, glycine, alanine and glutamic acid. A significant decrease of valine also was recorded in milk from the experimental group. The results of our experiment show that a protein concentrate supplement can affect concentrations of some amino acids in milk from dairy cows.

Invited review: Physiological and behavioral effects of heat stress in dairy cows

“…Uninterrupted lying time plays an important role in the health of cattle. With increased lying time, the occurrence of hoof diseases and lameness may decrease and can contribute to increased DMI and rumination (Grant, 2006;Kominkova et al, 2015;Horký et al, 2017). Some researchers have reported that extended periods of standing can act as a major risk factor for lameness (Cook and Nordlund, 2004;Allen et al, 2015).…”

Relationship between THI level and dairy cows’ behaviour during summer period

“…As the cows spend from 8 to 16 h per day in a lying position (Tucker et al 2003;Endres & Barberg 2007;Brzozowska et al 2014), the optimisation of their undisturbed lying bouts is very important for their health. It helps to avoid hoof diseases, lameness and also helps to increase their feed consumption and rumination activity (Grant 2006;Kominkova et al 2015;Horky et al 2017). The comfort of lying cows, including getting up and lying down, depends on inter alia: the size and the type of cubicles, the type of partitions between the cubicles, the number of free-stalls in relation to the number of animals (Fregonesi et al 2007), social relations in the herd (Galindo & Broom 2000), the use of resting space and their nutrition (Mattachini et al 2011).…”

The Influence of Cold-Pressed Linseed Cake Supplementation on Fatty-Acid Profile and Fat-Soluble Vitamins of Cows’ Milk in an Organic Production System

“…Nudda et al [16] showed that, after supplementation, there was a slight decrease in milk yield in their test groups relative to the control; however, what is most important is that the authors noted a definite increase in valuable fatty-acid content, i.e., DHA, EPA, CLA, and TVA. In a study conducted by Horky et al [17] on cows kept on organic farms, the authors showed that supplementation with linseed cake additionally increased the levels of, among others, proline, alanine, and valine in the milk.…”