Rumen Fermentation and Fatty Acid Composition of Milk of Mid Lactating Dairy Cows Grazing Chicory and Ryegrass

摘要

Enhancing the concentration of individual fatty acids (FA) in milk has been, for a long time, a major aim for researchers because certain FAs are linked with several health benefits in humans as well as improving the processing quality of milk products. It is well documented that diet, management regime, and extent of biohydrogenation in the rumen are critical in determining the composition of FA in the milk of dairy cows. This study investigated the effects of including chicory into the traditional feeding regime of ryegrass/white clover, and time of its allocation on milk production, rumen fermentation, and FA composition of milk and rumen digesta of dairy cows. Our findings show that allocation of mature chicory herbage to dairy cows at 50% of their ration modified rumen fermentation and improved both milk yield and the FA profile of the milk. Allocating chicory herbage during the afternoon is a useful strategy that can translate to improved milk production and quality. These findings reflect not just the feasibility of including chicory as part of a feeding regime, but also the role of chicory in rumen fermentation and biohydrogenation.