Effects of Sorghum Silage in Lactating Buffalo Cow Diet: Biochemical Profile, Milk Yield and Quality

Abstract

The influence of replacing corn silage with sorghum silage in the diet of dairy buffalo cows on metabolic status and on milk yield, chemical characteristics and fatty acid profile was studied. Forty dairy buffalo cows were included in the trial and divided into two homogeneous groups (SS, sorghum and CC, corn). Blood was collected at the end of the trial (120 days), individual milk yield was registered daily. Samples of milk were monthly collected and analyzed for fat, protein and lactose. Moreover, fatty acid profiles of silages and milk were determined. Buffalo cows fed sorghum silage showed an average milk yield higher than group CS (kg/d 10.120 vs 9.270; P<0.05), probably due to the lower lignin content of sorghum silage (31 vs 47 g/kg dry matter, respectively for SS and CS diets) and by consequence to its energy value, higher than expected. The percentage of linoleic acid was significantly higher in milk of group CS (C18:2: 1.27% vs 2.05%; P<0.01) due to the higher content of these acids in corn than in sorghum silage. The omega 6/omega 3 ratio was significantly lower in milk from buffalo cows fed sorghum than corn silage (7.8 vs 12.9; P<0.01). Serum biochemistry showed no negative effects of the corn replacing with sorghum.

Milk Quality and Animal Welfare as a Possible Marketing Lever for the Economic Development of Rural Areas in Southern Italy

“…Our research group carried out several trials aimed at evaluating the influence of feeding on the milk nutritional aspects [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] as well as on animal welfare [ 26 , 27 ]. Particular interest was focused on the milk fatty acid profile, among the others in the essential fatty acids n-3 and n-6, two classes with opposite physiological functions (i.e., pro- and anti-inflammatory activity for n-6 and n-3, respectively), and on the conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs).…”