Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows Fed Bean Seeds (Vicia faba) with Different Levels of Anti-Nutritional Substances

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of selected bean cultivars with different levels of anti-nutritional substances on performance and metabolism of dairy cows. In the current twelve-week-long study, 32 dairy cows at 3 to 6 weeks after parturition were divided into four groups. Diets were balanced to have an analogical content of crude protein and energy. Experimental groups (MI, ME, MET) were mixed to the milking concentrate consisting of 20% bean seeds (MI -MISTRAL cultivar with a low content of anti-nutritional substances; ME -MERKUR cultivar with high content of anti-nutritional substances; MET -MERKUR cultivar with technologically reduced the amount of anti-nutritional substances). Clinical evaluation of dairy cows' health and feed intake showed no negative effect of the bean supplementations. Energy, nitrogen and mineral metabolisms were not impaired either. No significant differences were found between groups in milk performance (daily milk yield, protein and lactose production) during the study.On the basis of these results, the bean can be used in 20% in the milking concentrate of dairy cattle. Health risks associated with anti-nutritional content of the native bean are not significant for high-producing dairy cattle. Bean, metabolism, milk performance, reproduction, anti-nutritional substancesBean seeds (Faba vulgaris Moench., syn. Vicia faba L.) are important sources of proteins used in diets of farm animals. Globally, the bean and lupin are grown on the smallest acreage among all pulses. In our climate, beans are used mainly as a fodder crop. Bean seeds contain on average 30-34% crude protein (CP), 6-7% fibre, 47-51% N-free extract (NFE), 33-40% starch, 0.9% ether extract (EE), and 3.3-3.7% ash. When compared to soybean, bean has lower lysine and arginine values (17.6 g·kg -1 vs. 25.5 g·kg -1, respectively) and a low content of sulphur amino acids (6 g·kg -1 vs. 13.3 g·kg -1 of feed ration's dry matter) (Cerioli et al. 1998). Protein and starch degradability of the bean can be influenced by technological treatment. Aleksić et al. (1999a) tested the protein degradability of faba beans in the rumen of cannulated lactating cows. The rate of protein degradability was determined as more than 47%. Aguilera et al. (1992) reported lower degradability of protein by heat treatment (120 °C for 30 min) of bean compared to untreated bean. Benchaar et al. (1992) studied the effect of extruded bean, representing 45% of the feeding ration protein content, on digestion of nitrogenous substances and starch in the rumen and small intestine. The percentage of degradable protein in the intestine was 38% in extruded bean as compared with 33.5% in untreated bean. Cros et al. (1991) came to a similar conclusion and they found that adding extruded bean seeds to diet increases intestinal availability of proteins from the feed. The effect of bean heat treatment on amino acid composition was studied by Cros et al. (1992). Dairy cows fed heat-treated beans showed better utilization of amino acids in the sma...

Effects of replacing rapeseed meal with fava bean at 2 concentrate crude protein levels on feed intake, nutrient digestion, and milk production in cows fed grass silage–based diets

“…Data on the effects of feeding fava bean as a replacement especially for rapeseed meal in grass silage-based dairy cow diets is rather limited, to our knowledge. Substitution of either soybean or rapeseed meal with fava bean in supplemented cereal grain-based concentrate at a rate of 10 to 35% had no adverse effects on DMI, milk yields, or milk protein yields in early studies conducted on corn silage or brome hay diets (Ingalls and McKirdy, 1974;Ingalls et al, 1980), or in more recent studies conducted on corn silage-based TMR or oat hay diets (Melicharová et al, 2009;Tufarelli et al, 2012). In contrast, Mordenti et al (2007) substituted soybean with a mixture of fava bean and pea in an alfalfa hay-based TMR diet and found a decrease in silage intake and milk yield.…”

Potential of Fava Bean as Future Protein Supply to Partially Replace Meat Intake in the Human Diet

“…Brunschwig and Lamy () showed that the use of 30% of ground fava bean in the feed of dairy cows does not alter feed consumption, milk production (higher than 30 kg per cow per day), or milk composition (crude protein or lipid). Recently, it was concluded that the various cultivars of fava bean could differently affect performance and metabolism of dairy cattle, although even fava bean cultivars with a high content of antinutritional factors can be used up to 20% in the feed without any alteration of cow metabolism and performance (daily milk yield and protein and lactose production; Melicharová and others ). Noteworthy is that when young Mediterranean bulls were fed with fava bean concentrate‐enriched feed they produced meat with a more favorable lipid profile than when fed with soy concentrate‐enriched feed, as the meat was lower in fat percentage, cholesterol, and total saturated fatty acid content (Calabrò and others ).…”