Effects of Extruded Linseed and Soybean Dietary Supplementation on Lactation Performance First-Service Conception Rate and Mastitis Incidence in Holstein Dairy Cows

摘要

Natural and processed fat supplements directly affect milk yield and composition in cows. Oilseed extrusion is a heat-treatment process used for seeds fed to ruminants to prevent rumen biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids. This process increases postruminal fat absorption when compared with the effects of feeding whole oilseeds. Hence, we investigated the effects of feeding a mixture of extruded linseed and soybean on lactation performance, first service conception rate, and mastitis incidence in Holstein dairy cows. We found that supplementing dairy cow feed with a mixture of extruded linseed and soybean at a rate of 100 g/kg feed increased milk yield and both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid content. However, incidences of clinical mastitis and first-service conception rates were not affected by extruded linseed and soybean supplementation.