The effect of supplementary selenium source on apparent and true absorption, retention, performance, and selenium status in lactating Holstein cows.

Selenium is an essential trace mineral for dairy cattle and can be provided in the diet in various forms that may differ in bioavailability. The objective of this study was to determine how source of Se affects animal performance, Se status, retention, and apparent and true absorption. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 24; 597 ± 49 kg body weight) were blocked by days in milk (DIM; 161 ± 18) and randomly assigned to receive 0.3 mg Se/kg of dry matter (100% of NASEM requirements) of either organic Se (ORG; selenized yeast) or inorganic Se (INO; sodium selenite). The Se premix was top-dressed on a common total mixed ration fed daily and mixed into the top 15 cm directly before feeding. Following an 11-wk adaptation period, cows received simultaneous infusions of an intraruminal isotope dose of 77Se in the same chemical form as the premix, and an intravenous dose of 82Se in an inorganic form. Infusions were followed by a 4-d period of blood and rumen fluid sampling, and total collection of feces, urine, and milk. Daily dry matter intake (23 ± 0.6 kg), milk yield (35 ± 1.2 kg), and serum Se (0.11 ± 0.003 µg/g) were not different between treatments during the adaptation period, but milk Se concentrations were greater for ORG compared with INO. Serum 77Se maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) were not different between treatments for 72 h following infusion, but rumen fluid 77Se AUC was higher for ORG than INO. Apparent absorption (64 ± 1.4%), and retention (44 ± 1.5%) of the 77Se dose did not differ between treatments. True absorption was calculated using 82Se enrichment in serum and feces and was determined to be 69 ± 1.3% and did not differ between treatments. Fecal excretion of the 77Se dose was not different between treatments (36 ± 1.4%), but ORG had lower urinary excretion and higher milk excretion compared with INO. These results indicate that organic Se resulted in greater Se concentration of milk and lower urinary Se excretion into the environment, but absorption, Se status, and performance of the cow were not affected by Se source at this supplementation level.

Infection burdens and virulence under heat stress: ecological and evolutionary considerations.

As a result of global change, hosts and parasites (including pathogens) are experiencing shifts in their thermal environment. Despite the importance of heat stress tolerance for host population persistence, infection by parasites can impair a host's ability to cope with heat. Host-parasite eco-evolutionary dynamics will be affected if infection reduces host performance during heating. Theory predicts that within-host parasite burden (replication rate or number of infecting parasites per host), a key component of parasite fitness, should correlate positively with virulence-the harm caused to hosts during infection. Surprisingly, however, the relationship between within-host parasite burden and virulence during heating is often weak. Here, we describe the current evidence for the link between within-host parasite burden and host heat stress tolerance. We consider the biology of host-parasite systems that may explain the weak or absent link between these two important host and parasite traits during hot conditions. The processes that mediate the relationship between parasite burden and host fitness will be fundamental in ecological and evolutionary responses of host and parasites in a warming world. This article is part of the theme issue 'Infectious disease ecology and evolution in a changing world'.

Disease-driven mass mortality event leads to widespread extirpation and variable recovery potential of a marine predator across the eastern Pacific.

The prevalence of disease-driven mass mortality events is increasing, but our understanding of spatial variation in their magnitude, timing and triggers are often poorly resolved. Here, we use a novel range-wide dataset comprised 48 810 surveys to quantify how sea star wasting disease affected Pycnopodia helianthoides, the sunflower sea star, across its range from Baja California, Mexico to the Aleutian Islands, USA. We found that the outbreak occurred more rapidly, killed a greater percentage of the population and left fewer survivors in the southern half of the species's range. Pycnopodia now appears to be functionally extinct (greater than 99.2% declines) from Baja California, Mexico to Cape Flattery, Washington, USA and exhibited severe declines (greater than 87.8%) from the Salish Sea to the Gulf of Alaska. The importance of temperature in predicting Pycnopodia distribution rose more than fourfold after the outbreak, suggesting latitudinal variation in outbreak severity may stem from an interaction between disease severity and warmer waters. We found no evidence of population recovery in the years since the outbreak. Natural recovery in the southern half of the range is unlikely over the short term. Thus, assisted recovery will probably be required to restore the functional role of this predator on ecologically relevant time scales.

Potential roles of nitrate and live yeast culture in suppressing methane emission and influencing ruminal fermentation, digestibility, and milk production in lactating Jersey cows.

Concern over the carbon footprint of the dairy industry has led to various dietary approaches to mitigate enteric CH4 production. One approach is feeding the electron acceptor NO3-, thus outcompeting methanogens for aqueous H2. We hypothesized that a live yeast culture (LYC; Saccharomyces cerevisiae from Yea-Sacc 1026, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) would stimulate the complete reduction of NO3- to NH3 by selenomonads, thus decreasing the quantity of CH4 emissions per unit of energy-corrected milk production while decreasing blood methemoglobin concentration resulting from the absorbed intermediate, NO2-. Twelve lactating Jersey cows (8 multiparous and noncannulated; 4 primiparous and ruminally cannulated) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Cattle were fed diets containing 1.5% NO3- (from calcium ammonium nitrate) or an isonitrogenous control diet (containing additional urea) and given a top-dress of ground corn without or with LYC, with the fourth week used for data collection. Noncannulated cows were spot measured for CH4 emission by mouth using GreenFeed (C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD). The main effect of NO3- decreased CH4 by 17% but decreased dry matter intake by 10% (from 19.8 to 17.8 kg/d) such that CH4:dry matter intake numerically decreased by 8% and CH4:milk net energy for lactation production was unaffected by treatment. Milk and milk fat production were not affected, but NO3- decreased milk protein from 758 to 689 g/d. Ruminal pH decreased more sharply after feeding for cows fed diets without NO3-. Acetate:propionate was greater for cows fed NO3-, particularly when combined with LYC (interaction effect). Blood methemoglobin was higher for cattle fed NO3- than for those fed the control diet but was low for both treatments (1.5 vs. 0.5%, respectively; only one measurement exceeded 5%), indicating minimal risk for NO2- accumulation at our feeding level of NO3-. Although neither apparent organic matter nor neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were affected, apparent N digestibility had an interaction for NO3- × LYC such that apparent N digestibility was numerically lowest for diets containing both NO3- and LYC compared with the other 3 diets. Under the conditions of this study, NO3- mitigated ruminal methanogenesis but also depressed dry matter intake and milk protein yield. Based on the fact that few interactions were detected, LYC had a minimal role in attenuating negative cow responses to NO3- supplementation.

Effects of once- versus twice-a-day feeding of pasteurized milk supplemented with yeast-derived feed additives on growth and health in female dairy calves.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feeding preweaning dairy calves pasteurized milk once or twice a day with or without a combination of yeast-derived products. Holstein heifer calves (n = 48) from The Pennsylvania State University dairy herd were fed 3.8 L of colostrum in 1 feeding and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (once-a-day milk feeding with or without live yeast culture and mannan-rich fraction and twice-a-day milk feeding with or without live yeast culture and mannan-rich fraction). All calves were fed 6 L of milk daily. Weekly growth measurements and blood samples were taken 3 h after the morning milk feeding for all animals. Growth measurement included body weight, hip width, and withers height. Calf starter refusal was recorded weekly, and a sample was taken to determine dry matter intake. Daily health scores were recorded for each calf using a standard scoring system. Intake, growth measurements, haptoglobin, and health scores data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis with calf included as a random variable. Preweaning average daily gain was 553.4 and 512.1 g/d for calves fed milk once and twice a day, respectively, and we found no difference between treatments. Preweaning calf starter intake was 242.3 and 198.7 g/d for calves fed milk once and twice a day, respectively, and we found no treatment differences. Preweaning calf starter intake was 224.3 and 216.6 g/d for calves fed yeast and without yeast, respectively. Withers height and hip width were similar in calves fed milk either once or twice a day; however, calves fed yeast tended to have greater withers height and hip width than control calves. Haptoglobin concentration as a measure of stress had least squares means of 4.0 and 9.5 ± 3.5 µg/mL for calves fed milk once or twice a day, respectively, and we found no difference among treatments. Scours score and total daily score were similar for calves fed milk once or twice a day. These results suggest that feeding milk once a day can be successfully applied to a calf feeding system and that yeast products may improve structural growth.

Rumen microbial responses to supplemental nitrate. I. Yeast growth and protozoal chemotaxis in vitro as affected by nitrate and nitrite concentrations.

Nitrates have been fed to ruminants, including dairy cows, as an electron sink to mitigate CH4 emissions. In the NO3- reduction process, NO2- can accumulate, which could directly inhibit methanogens and some bacteria. However, little information is available on eukaryotic microbes in the rumen. Protozoa were hypothesized to enhance nitrate reductase but also have more circling swimming behavior, and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was hypothesized to lessen NO2- accumulation. In the first experiment, a culture of S. cerevisiae strain 1026 was evaluated under 3 growth phases: aerobic, anoxic, or transition to anoxic culture. Each phase was evaluated with a control or 1 of 3 isonitrogenous doses, including NO3-, NO2-, or NH4+ replacing peptone in the medium. Gas head phase, NO3-, or NH4+ did not influence culture growth, but increasing NO2- concentration increasingly inhibited yeast growth. In experiment 2, rumen fluid was harvested and incubated for 3 h in 2 concentrations of NO3-, NO2-, or sodium nitroprusside before assessing chemotaxis of protozoa toward glucose or peptides. Increasing NO2- concentration decreased chemotaxis by isotrichids toward glucose or peptides and decreased chemotaxis by entodiniomorphids but only toward peptides. Live yeast culture was inhibited dose-responsively by NO2- and does not seem to be a viable mechanism to prevent NO2- accumulation in the rumen, whereas a role for protozoal nitrate reductase and NO2- influencing signal transduction requires further research.

Rumen microbial responses to supplemental nitrate. II. Potential interactions with live yeast culture on the prokaryotic community and methanogenesis in continuous culture.

Nitrates have been fed to ruminants, including dairy cows, as an electron sink to mitigate CH4 emissions. In the NO3- reduction process, NO2- can accumulate, which could directly inhibit methanogens and possibly other microbes in the rumen. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast was hypothesized to decrease NO2- through direct reduction or indirectly by stimulating the bacterium Selenomonas ruminantium, which is among the ruminal bacteria most well characterized to reduce both NO3- and NO2-. Ruminal fluid was incubated in continuous cultures fed diets without or with NaNO3 (1.5% of diet dry matter; i.e., 1.09% NO3-) and without or with live yeast culture (LYC) fed at a recommended 0.010 g/d (scaled from cattle to fermentor intakes) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments with LYC had increased NDF digestibility and acetate:propionate by increasing acetate molar proportion but tended to decrease total VFA production. The main effect of NO3- increased acetate:propionate by increasing acetate molar proportion; NO3- also decreased molar proportions of isobutyrate and butyrate. Both NO3- and LYC shifted bacterial community composition (based on relative sequence abundance of 16S rRNA genes). An interaction occurred such that NO3- decreased valerate molar proportion only when no LYC was added. Nitrate decreased daily CH4 emissions by 29%. However, treatment × time interactions were present for both CH4 and H2 emission from the headspace; CH4 was decreased by the main effect of NO3- until 6 h postfeeding, but NO3- and LYC decreased H2 emission up to 4 h postfeeding. As expected, NO3- decreased methane emissions in continuous cultures; however, contrary to expectations, LYC did not attenuate NO2- accumulation.

Effects of slow-release urea and rumen-protected methionine and histidine on performance of dairy cows.

This experiment was conducted with the objective to investigate the effects of slow-release urea and rumen-protected (RP) Met and His supplementation of a metabolizable protein (MP)-deficient diet (according to NRC, 2001) on lactation performance of dairy cows. Sixty lactating Holstein cows were used in a 10-wk randomized complete block-design trial. Cows were fed a covariate diet for 2 wk and then assigned to one of the following treatments for an 8-wk experimental period: (1) MP-adequate diet [AMP; 107% of MP requirements, based on the National Research Council (NRC, 2001)]; (2) MP-deficient diet (DMP; 95% of MP requirements); (3) DMP supplemented with slow-release urea (DMPU); (4) DMPU supplemented with RPMet (DMPUM); and (5) DMPUM supplemented with RPHis (DMPUMH). Total-tract apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein, and urinary N and urea-N excretions were decreased by DMP, compared with AMP. Addition of slow-release urea to the DMP diet increased urinary urea-N excretion. Dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield (on average 44.0±0.9kg/d) were not affected by treatments, except DMPUMH increased DMI and numerically increased milk yield, compared with DMPUM. Milk true protein concentration and yield were increased and milk fat concentration tended to be decreased by DMPUMH, compared with DMPUM. Cows gained less body weight on the DMP diet, compared with AMP. Plasma concentrations of His and Lys were not affected by treatments, whereas supplementation of RPMet increased plasma Met concentration. Plasma concentration of 3-methylhistidine was or tended to be higher for DMP compared with AMP and DMPU, respectively. Addition of RPHis to the DMPUM diet tended to increase plasma glucose and creatinine. In conclusion, feeding a 5% MP-deficient diet (according to NRC, 2001) did not decrease DMI and yields of milk and milk components, despite a reduction in nutrient digestibility. Supplementation of RPHis increased DMI and milk protein concentration and yield. These results are in line with our previous data and suggest that His may have a positive effect on voluntary feed intake and milk production and composition in high-yielding dairy cows fed MP-deficient diets.

Soybean meal substitution with a yeast-derived microbial protein source in dairy cow diets.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects substituting soybean meal with a yeast-derived microbial protein (YMP) on rumen and blood metabolites, dry matter intake, and milk production of high-producing dairy cows. Sixteen Holstein cows (12 multiparous and 4 primiparous), 93 ± 37 DIM (mean ± SD) at the beginning of the experiment, were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with four 28-d periods. Cows were blocked by parity and production, with 1 square consisting of 4 animals fitted with rumen cannulas. Basal diets, formulated for 16.1% crude protein and 1.56 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, contained 40% corn silage, 20% alfalfa hay, and 40% concentrate mix. During each period, cows were fed 1 of 4 treatment diets corresponding to YMP (DEMP; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) concentrations of 0, 1.14, 2.28, and 3.41% DM. Soybean meal (44% CP) was replaced by YMP to attain isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets. Dietary treatments had no effect on pH and on most ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations, with the exception of isovalerate, which decreased linearly with the addition of YMP. Rumen ammonia concentration decreased linearly, whereas free amino acids, total amino acid nitrogen, and soluble proteins weighing more than 10 kDa showed a cubic response on rumen N fractionation. A quadratic response was observed in oligopeptides that weighed between 3 and 10 kDa and peptides under 3kDa when expressed as percentages of total amino acids and total nitrogen. Although nonesterified fatty acid concentration in blood did not differ between treatments, ß-hydroxybutyrate and plasma glucose increased linearly as YMP increased. Dry matter intake showed a cubic effect, where cows fed 1.14, and 3.41% YMP had the highest intake. Milk production was not affected by YMP, whereas a trend was observed for a quadratic increase for 4% fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk. Medium- and long-chain fatty acid concentrations in milk increased quadratically, which elicited similar effects on milk fat concentration and yield. Total solids percentage and yield, and milk urea nitrogen also showed quadratic effects as YMP increased in the diet. No effects were observed on feed efficiency, milk protein, and lactose percentage or yield. A complementary in vitro study demonstrated a quadratic tendency for apparent and true dry matter digestibility as YMP was added to the diet. It was concluded that the substitution of soybean meal with YMP increased the percentage of total solids in milk and tended to improve energy-corrected and fat-corrected milk production in high-producing dairy cows consuming high-forage diets.

Nitrogen utilization, nutrient digestibility, and excretion of purine derivatives in dairy cattle consuming rations containing corn milling co-products.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of feeding a combination of modified wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on nutrient digestion, purine derivative excretion, and N utilization. Multiparous (n=20) and primiparous (n=20) cows were arranged in a replicated 5 x 5 Latin square with 21-d periods. Animals were fed one of 5 treatment diets during each period: 1) 0% co-products (control); 2) 15% WDGS (15WDGS); 3) 15% WCGF (15WCGF); 4) 7.5% WDGS and 7.5% WCGF (15MIX); and 5) 15% WDGS and 15% WCGF (30MIX; dry matter basis). A portion of forages, corn, and soy-based protein was replaced with WDGS, or WCGF, or both. Dry matter intake was greater for 15WDGS (25.1 kg/d) and 30MIX (25.5 kg/d) than for control (22.4 kg/d), 15WCGF (23.2 kg/d), or 15MIX (23.5 kg/d). Dry matter digestibility was greatest for 15WCGF and 30MIX (63.6 and 64.1%, respectively) and least for 15WDGS (59.8%), and neutral detergent fiber and N digestibility were greatest for 30MIX (50.7 and 68.6%, respectively) and lowest for 15WDGS (41.3 and 61.5%, respectively). Excretion of purine derivatives in urine was greater for co-product treatment diets than for control. Fecal N was greatest for 15WDGS compared with other treatment diets (311.0 vs. 263.3 g/d), whereas urinary N was greatest for 30MIX (330.0 g/d), intermediate for 15WCGF and 15MIX (319.3 and 320.5 g/d, respectively), and lowest for control and 15WDGS (308.5 and 312.2 g/d, respectively). Manure N (fecal+urinary N) was greatest for 15WDGS, intermediate for 15MIX and 30MIX, and lowest for control and 15WCGF. Treatment diets did not differ in 4% fat-corrected milk production. Compared with the ration containing WDGS, the ration with a 30% mixture of WDGS and WCGF improved nutrient digestibility and N utilization with reduced manure N excretion and increased N retention. Thus, it appears feeding WDGS and WCGF in combination reduces some of the negative effects of feeding WDGS alone.

Utilization of nitrogen in cows consuming wet distillers grains with solubles in alfalfa and corn silage-based dairy rations.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of forage type on nutrient digestibility, purine derivative excretion, nitrogen utilization, and milk production in dairy cattle consuming rations containing high levels of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Primiparous (n=8) and multiparous (n=20) Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square. Animals were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each 21-d period: 1) CONT-CS, 0% WDGS and high corn silage; 2) CONT-AS, 0% WDGS and high alfalfa silage; 3) WDGS-CS, 25% WDGS and high corn silage; and 4) WDGS-AS, 25% WDGS and high alfalfa silage (dry matter basis). Intake and milk data were collected daily and averaged for d 15 to 21 of each period. Dry matter intake was lower for CONT-CS than for CONT-AS, WDGS-CS, and WDGS-AS (22.5, 24.6, 24.6, and 24.8 kg/d, respectively). Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and N were not affected by treatment, averaging 59.6, 62.3, 40.1, and 58.6%, respectively. Excretion of urinary purine derivatives was greatest for WDGS-AS, followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-CS and CONT-AS. Thus, by calculation, estimated microbial protein flow was highest for WDGS-AS (2,189.9 g/d) followed by WDGS-CS (1,996.2 g/d), CONT-AS (1,640.0 g/d), and CONT-CS (1,627.0 g/d). Mass of fecal N was not different among treatments (averaging 287.1+/-14.8 g/d), but urinary and manure N were reduced for rations with WDGS compared with those not including WDGS. Observed 4% fat-corrected milk was greatest for WDGS-AS, followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-CS and CONT-AS (30.7, 29.7, 28.3, and 27.2 kg/d, respectively). Milk protein yield was greatest for WDGS-AS (1.00 kg/d), followed by WDGS-CS, and then CONT-AS and CONT-CS (0.96, 0.91, 0.86 kg/d, respectively). This research demonstrated that rations can be balanced for dairy cattle to include up to 25% WDGS and result in increased microbial protein synthesis, milk production, and milk protein yield.

Effects of feeding three types of corn-milling coproducts on milk production and ruminal fermentation of lactating Holstein cattle.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of feeding 3 corn-milling coproducts on intake, milk production, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility of lactating Holstein cows. In experiment 1, three corn-milling coproducts were fed at 15% of the diet dry matter (DM) to 28 Holstein cows averaging (+/-SD) 625 +/- 81 kg of body weight and 116 +/- 33 d in milk to determine effects on DM intake and milk production. In experiment 2, the same rations were fed to 4 ruminally fistulated, multiparous Holstein cows averaging 677 +/- 41 kg of body weight and 144 +/- 5 d in milk to determine the effects on ruminal fermentation and digestibility. In both experiments, cows and treatments were assigned randomly in 4 x 4 Latin squares over four 21-d periods. Treatments were formulated by replacing portions of forage and concentrate feeds with 15% coproduct and included 1) 0% coproduct (control), 2) dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS), 3) dehydrated corn germ meal (germ), and 4) high-protein dried distillers grains (HPDDG). Feed intake was recorded daily, and milk samples were collected on d 19 to 21 of each period for analysis of major components. Rumen fluid was collected at 10 time points over 24 h post feeding on d 21 of experiment 2. In experiment 1, DM intake was greater for the germ (24.3 kg/d) and DDGS treatments (23.8 kg/d), but DDGS was not different from the control (22.9 kg/d) and HPDDG treatments (22.4 kg/d). Milk production paralleled DM intake and tended to be greater for the germ (32.1 kg/d) and DDGS treatments (30.9 kg/d), but the DDGS treatment was not different from the control (30.6 kg/d) and HPDDG treatments (30.3 kg/d). However, yields of milk fat, milk protein, and 3.5% FCM were similar and averaged (+/-SEM) 1.1 +/- 0.1, 0.9 +/- 0.03, and 31.7 +/- 1.3 kg/d. Milk urea nitrogen was greater for the HPDDG (15.9 mg/dL) and germ treatments (15.5 mg/dL) than for the control (15.0 mg/dL) and DDGS treatments (14.9 mg/dL). In experiment 2, DM intake and milk production were not different across treatments and averaged 26.1 +/- 2.3 and 28.3 +/- 3.9 kg/d. Ruminal pH (6.26 +/- 0.08) and total concentration of volatile fatty acids (125.3 +/- 4.2 mM) were similar. Acetate concentration was higher for the control treatment than the DDGS, germ, and HPDDG treatments (81.7 vs. 75.8, 75.0, and 78.4 mM). Concentrations of propionate and butyrate were not different and averaged 27.8 +/- 1.2 and 14.3 +/- 0.9 mM across treatments. The acetate:propionate ratios for the control, germ, and HPDDG treatments were greater than for the DDGS treatment (3.02, 2.88, and 2.91 vs. 2.62). Dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were similar across treatments and averaged 63.5 +/- 2.7, 67.3 +/- 2.2, and 43.5 +/- 4.2%. Milk production followed DM intake in experiment 1, and yield of major milk components was not affected. Results of these experiments indicate that dairy rations can be successfully formulated to include 15% of diet DM as corn-milling coproducts while maintaining or increasing DM intakes and yields of milk and milk components.

Short communication: The effect of feeding high protein distillers dried grains on milk production of Holstein cows.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of feeding high-protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG) on rumen degradability, dry matter intake, milk production, and milk composition. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows (12 multiparous and 4 primiparous) averaging 80 +/- 14 d in milk were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 crossover design. A portion of forage and all soy-based protein in the control diet were replaced by HPDDG (20% dry matter). Milk production and dry matter intake were recorded daily and averaged for d 19 to 21 of each 21-d period. Milk samples were collected on d 20 to 21 of each period. Milk yield increased with the inclusion of HPDDG (33.4 vs. 31.6 +/- 2.13 kg/d), and 3.5% FCM was higher for the ration containing HPDDG (36.3 vs. 33.1 +/- 2.24 kg/d). Percentage protein was not affected by treatment (average 3.04 +/- 0.08%), but protein yield increased with inclusion of HPDDG (0.95 to 1.00 +/- 0.05 kg/d). Milk fat concentration was not different between treatments (average 3.95 +/- 0.20%), but fat yield increased for the ration containing HPDDG (1.35 vs. 1.21 +/- 0.09 kg/d). Dry matter intake was not affected and averaged 21.9 +/- 0.80 kg across treatments. Because of greater milk production, feed conversion was improved by the inclusion of HPDDG (1.47 to 1.73 +/- 0.09). Milk urea N was greater for the HPDDG ration than the control (14.5 vs. 12.8 +/- 0.67 mg/dL). This research suggests that HPDDG may effectively replace soy-based protein in lactating dairy cow diets.

The effect of feeding dried distillers grains plus solubles on milk production and excretion of urinary purine derivatives.

Two studies were performed to evaluate the effects of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on the lactational performance of dairy cows. The intent of experiment 1 was to evaluate the effects of feeding increasing concentrations of DDGS on the feed intake and production of Holstein dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows averaging 76 +/- 24 d in milk and 638 +/- 68 kg of body weight were randomly assigned to one of five 4 x 4 Latin squares. During each of the 28-d periods, cows were offered 1 of 4 diets: 1) control, 0% DDGS, 2) 10% DDGS, 3) 20% DDGS, or 4) 30% DDGS. For the treatment diets, DDGS replaced a portion of both forages and concentrates. Dry matter intake increased linearly with increasing concentrations of DDGS (21.4, 22.4, 23.0, and 24.0 +/- 0.98 kg/d). Similarly, milk production increased linearly (27.4, 28.5, 29.3, and 30.6 +/- 1.44 kg/d). The intent of experiment 2 was to evaluate the effect of feeding DDGS on feed intake, milk production, and excretion of urinary purine derivatives (PD). Excretion of PD was used to estimate the effects on rumen microbial crude protein production. Twenty-one multiparous and 13 primiparous Holstein cows, averaging 178 +/- 36 d in milk and 651 +/- 65 kg of body weight were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 diets in a 3-period crossover design. Cows were offered 1 of 2 rations during each 21-d period. Dietary treatments were either a control (0% DDGS) or 30% dietary dry matter of DDGS. Dry matter intake increased when feeding DDGS (22.8 vs. 24.1 +/- 0.74 kg/d for 0 and 30% DDGS, respectively) but milk production, percentages of milk fat and protein, and the ratio of PD to creatinine were not significantly different between the control and DDGS diets. Results of this study suggest a dairy ration may be formulated to contain as much as 30% of dietary dry matter as DDGS.

Evaluation of nitrogen utilization and the effects of monensin in dairy cows fed brown midrib corn silage.

Twenty midlactation Holstein cows (4 ruminally fistulated) averaging 101 +/- 34 d in milk and weighing 674 +/- 77 kg were used to compare rations with brown midrib corn silage (bm3) to rations with dual-purpose control silage (DP) on N utilization and milk production. The effect of monensin in these rations was also examined. Animals were assigned to one of five 4 x 4 Latin squares with treatments arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial. Cows were fed 1 of 4 treatments during each of the four 28-d periods. Treatments were 1) 0 mg/d monensin and bm3 corn silage, 2) 0 mg/d monensin and DP corn silage, 3) 300 mg/d monensin and bm3 corn silage, and 4) 300 mg/d monensin and DP corn silage. In vitro 30-h neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility was greater for bm3 corn silage (61.0 vs. 49.1 +/- 0.62). Dry matter intake (DMI) tended to be greater for cows consuming bm3 corn silage (21.3 vs. 20.2 kg/d). Neither hybrid nor monensin affected milk production, fat, or protein (37.7 kg, 3.60%, or 3.04%). Monensin tended to increase rumen pH (5.89 vs. 5.79 +/- 0.07) compared with the control treatment. In addition, bm3 corn silage resulted in a significant decrease in rumen pH (5.72 vs. 5.98 +/- 0.07). Supplementing monensin had no effect on molar proportions of acetate, propionate, or butyrate. In contrast, an increase was observed in branched-chain volatile fatty acids. No treatment interactions were observed for rumen pH or molar proportion of propionate but monensin decreased the molar proportion of acetate and increased the molar proportion of butyrate when cattle consumed bm3 silage. Dry matter, N, and acid detergent fiber digestibility were lower for the bm3 ration, whereas NDF digestibility was not different between treatments. There was no effect of hybrid on microbial protein synthesis (1,140 g/d) as estimated by urinary concentration of purine derivatives. Cows consuming bm3 excreted more fecal N than cows consuming DP (38.2 vs. 34.4% N intake); however, based on spot sampling, estimated urinary and manure N were not different between treatments (35.8 and 71.9% N intake). Monensin had no effect on DMI, digestibility of any nutrients, or N metabolism, and there were no hybrid by monensin interactions. Rations including bm3 corn silage tended to increase DMI but did not affect production. The reduction in the digestibility of some nutrients when cows consumed bm3 may have been caused by increased DMI and possible increased digestion in the lower gut. This increase in DMI appeared to also have negatively affected N digestibility but not NDF digestibility. This resulted in a greater amount of N excreted in feces but did not affect total mass of manure N.

Short communication: Effect of increasing levels of corn bran on milk yield and composition.

Thirty-nine lactating Holstein cows (23 multiparous and 16 primiparous) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dietary treatments in a crossover design. Dietary treatments differed by the proportion of corn bran [10, 17.5, and 25% dry matter (DM); designated as low, medium, and high] replacing corn silage and alfalfa. The corn bran coproduct contained 8.2% moisture and 12.9% crude protein, 30.4% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and 45.0% nonfiber carbohydrate, 9.9% ether extract, and 0.70% P (DM basis). The low treatment consisted of 15.8% NDF from forage (fNDF) and 33.1% total NDF; the medium treatment consisted of 12.9% fNDF and 32.5% total NDF; and the high diet contained 9.9% fNDF and 31.8% total NDF. Dry matter intake was not affected by treatment. The percent milk fat decreased by 0.26% with the inclusion of corn bran from 10 to 25% of the diet DM, but total milk fat yield was not affected. In comparison, corn bran increased yield of milk protein 0.12 kg/d when bran increased from 10 to 25% of the diet DM. Total milk yield tended to increase when bran increased from 10 to 25% of the diet DM, but no differences were observed on 3.5% fat-corrected milk. Lastly, feed conversion significantly improved with increasing inclusion: 1.39, 1.39, and 1.55 +/- 0.05 kg of milk/kg of DMI for low, medium, and high, respectively. Observed effects were likely due to the increase in energy intake associated with increasing levels of corn bran.

The effect of carbohydrate source on nitrogen capture in dairy cows on pasture.

The objective of this study was to determine if feeding carbohydrate supplements with faster degradation rates than corn to dairy cows grazing ryegrass would improve nitrogen capture, milk production, and components. Treatments were grain supplements based on: 1) corn (CORN), 2) barley and molasses (BM), or 3) citrus pulp and molasses (CM). For BM and CM, the diet composition was the same as that of CORN except that a portion of the corn was replaced with barley and molasses or citrus pulp and molasses, respectively, on a dry matter basis. Cows grazed ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture. Yield of milk, 3.5% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat, as well as milk fat percentage, were not different among treatments. True milk protein percentage was higher for CORN (2.81%) compared with CM (2.70%), but was not different for BM (2.77%). However, true milk protein yield was not different among treatments. Milk urea N was higher for BM (11.43 mg/dL) compared with both CORN and CM (average: 9.95 mg/dL). There were no differences among CORN, BM, and CM treatments for overall BUN (average: 10.60 mg/dL). At 0400 h, however, cows on CORN had higher BUN than cows on CM (11.43 vs. 9.96 mg/dL), but there were no differences between CORN and BM (average: 11.21 mg/dL) or BM and CM (average: 10.48 mg/dL), and there were no differences among treatments at other time points. The CM diet might have shown more advantage if the pasture crude protein content was higher. Partial replacement of corn with citrus pulp for grazing cows should be further studied using pasture with higher crude protein content. Although cows receiving CM and BM did not produce more milk than cows on CORN, if barley or citrus pulp is less expensive than corn, they may be viable replacements for a portion of the corn supplement for grazing cows.