Evaluation of Palm Kernel Meal and Corn Distillers Grains in Corn Silage-Based Diets for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

The effects of increasing levels of solvent-extracted palm kernel meal (SPKM) and corn distillers dried grains (CDG) in corn silage-based diets on feed intake and milk production were examined in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1, 20 Holstein cows averaging 100 d in milk (DIM) (SD = 61.5) at the start of the experiment were utilized in an 11-wk randomized complete block design with 4 treatments in 5 blocks to study effects of increasing levels of SPKM in the diet. During a 3-wk preliminary period, cows were fed a standard diet. At the end of the preliminary period, cows were blocked by 4% fat-corrected milk yield, parity number (primiparous and multiparous), and DIM, and were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 experimental diets. The total mixed ration (TMR) consisted of (dry matter basis) 40% corn silage, 5% coarsely chopped wheat straw, and 55% concentrate. The increasing dietary levels of SPKM were achieved by replacing protein sources and citrus pulp with SPKM and urea (0, 5, 10, and 15% SPKM and 0.06, 0.22, 0.38, and 0.55% urea for SPKM0, SPKM5, SPKM10, and SPKM15, respectively). In Experiment 2, 18 Holstein cows averaging 93 DIM (SD = 49.1) at the start of the experiment were utilized in an 11-wk randomized complete block design with 3 treatments in 6 blocks to study effects of increasing levels of CDG in the diet. The preliminary period lasted for 2 wk. Assignment of cows to treatments was the same as in Experiment 1. The TMR consisted of (dry matter basis) 40% corn silage, 5% coarsely chopped wheat straw, and 55% concentrate. The increasing dietary levels of CDG were achieved by replacing soybean meal and citrus pulp with CDG and urea (0, 7, and 14% CDG and 0, 0.22, and 0.49% urea for CDG0, CDG7, and CDG14, respectively). There were no significant treatment effects on dry matter intake, milk yield, or milk composition in Experiment 1. Inclusion of SPKM tended to increase protein and lactose contents of milk. The SPKM0 diet promoted body weight loss. There were no treatment effects in Experiment 2, except for milk protein content, which was decreased by CDG. Plasma Lys concentration tended to be affected by SPKM and CDG inclusions. Plasma concentrations of 3-methylhistidine and Leu seemed to be related to body protein degradation/synthesis. The feeding of SPKM up to 15% in the diet decreased feed costs without detrimental effects on productive responses and tended to increase milk protein content. The inclusion of CDG in diets based on corn silage and corn byproducts might decrease milk protein content due to an unbalanced supply of AA, particularly Lys.

Effect of palm kernel expeller as supplementation on production performance of Jersey cows grazing kikuyu-ryegrass pasture

“…The results of the current study are difficult to compare with previous published studies, because no studies could be found where the effect of PKE supplementation was tested on the milk production of grazing dairy cows, even with PKE being a common raw material component in formulated dairy diets. However, the milk yield and 4% FCM of the current study are in agreement with the results obtained by Carvalho et al (2006).…”

“…The milk fat and milk protein results of the current study concur to the results obtained by (Khalili and Sairanen, 2000) and (Carvalho et al, 2006). A review by Bargo et al (2003) reported that milk protein content was reduced by -0.06 percentage units with fibre-based concentrates compared with starch-based concentrates, with a milk protein response range from -0.21 to 0.05 percentage units.…”

“…Only one study investigating the effect of PKM on performance of dairy cows could be found. In this study, Carvalho et al (2006) reported no significant treatment effects on DMI, milk yield, or milk composition when PKM was included in a total mix ration (TMR) at different inclusion levels (50, 100 and 150 g/kg inclusion). However, the milk lactose content tended to increase as PKM inclusion increased (0.10 >P >0.05).…”

“…O`Mara et al (1999) added that PKE is a moderate quality feed in terms of digestibility for ruminants (organic matter digestibility (OMD) <710 g/kg), but high in fibre, coarse and granular, and lowly palatable (Chanjula et al, 2010). Zahari and Alimon (2003) stated that PKE is used as a source of energy and fibre for dairy cattle at inclusion levels of 300 to 500 g/kg of the total diet, however Carvalho et al (2006) stated that PKM is generally included in small amounts (<100 g/kg) in dairy concentrates due to its low palatability. Only one study investigating the effect of PKM on performance of dairy cows could be found.…”

“…50% of the original kernel (Abdullah and Hutagalung, 1988;Carvalho et al, 2006) and has long been recognised to be a significant ingredient in animal feed formulation (Collingwood, 1958). There is considerable variation in chemical composition of palm kernel by-products depending on the method of fat removal and the proportion of endocarp remaining (Hindle et al, 1995).…”