Evaluation of Pearl Millet and Field Peas Plus Triticale Silages for Midlactation Dairy Cows

Abstract

A mixture of field peas and triticale was planted in spring, harvested as silage, and followed by a double crop of pearl millet, which also was harvested as silage. Eighteen Holstein cows were fed diets based on pea with triticale, pearl millet, or alfalfa plus corn silages. Dry matter digestibility of the pea with triticale diet was higher than for control (71.1 vs. 66.9%), but DM digestibility was not different between control and pearl millet diets. Milk production was not affected by diets containing pea with triticale or pearl millet compared with control diets (25.2, 23.2, and 24.5 kg/d). Cows fed pea with triticale produced milk with a higher concentration of fat (4.59 vs. 3.35%) and more FCM (27.3 vs. 22.1 kg/d) than those fed the control diet. However, cows fed the control diet gained more BW than those receiving pea with triticale or pearl millet diets. Partitioning of energy between body stores and milk production was different between cows fed pea with triticale and control diets; however, total energy use was not different (32.4 vs. 30.5 Mcal of NE(L)/d). Differences in energy partitioning may have been caused partly by differences in ruminal fermentation of the respective diets.

Evaluation of performance and metabolism of dairy cows fed pea seeds (<i>Pisum sativum</i>) with different anti-nutritional content

“…No differences in feed intake were observed between individual experimental groups or between experimental groups and control group. VALENTINE and BARTSCH (1987) and MESSMAN et al (1992) reported a positive effect of peas on the overall intake of dry mass in dairy cows; similar results were found by REED et al (2004) in bulls. LOSAND et al (2003) recommend feeding no more than 4,0 kg of peas per day and one dairy cow.…”

“…Other researchers (CORBETT et al, 1995;MESSMAN et al, 1992) have reported increased concentrations of milk fat in cows fed the peas during all lactation stages compared to cows fed the soya. They believe that higher milk fat levels are caused by complex, non-structural, low-degradable saccharides contained in peas.…”

“…No milk yield decrease was noted in late lactation stage (KHORASANI et al, 2001). Some researchers (HODEN et al, 1992;MESSMAN et al, 1992) recommend using peas as a source of protein only when low levels of undegradable protein are needed. This applies particularly to cows in late lactation stage or to lowproducing cattle.…”

Nutrients intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and growth performance of sheep fed different silages with or without concentrate

“…However, Adewakun et al (1989) reported that NDF digestibility remained significantly unaltered between maize and sorghum silages. Messman et al (1992) reported that the NDF contents of millet silage were less digestible than that of corn silage plus alfalfa silage-based diet because of higher lignification. However, in the present study, maize silage had less lignin contents than millet silage due to which NDF digestibility value of maize silage was higher.…”

Simulated Optimum Sowing Date for Forage Pearl Millet Cultivars in Multilocation Trials in Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

“…Because of its adaptability to harsh conditions, millet can be grown in areas that are unfavorable to other crops such as maize (Singh and Singh, 1995). Although, several studies have evaluated the potential of pearl millet as forage for ruminants in dry regions (Messman et al, 1992; Hill et al, 1999), data on its management are limited, especially about ideal sowing dates. For semi-arid regions, the planting date decision is important not only because of its effect on yield but also the need to minimize the risk of establishment failures and to decrease cost and labor required for replanting.…”