The effect of fiber characteristics on thermoregulatory responses and feeding behavior of heat stressed cows

摘要

We examined the effect of replacing wheat hay with soy hulls on thermoregulatory responses and feeding behavior under summer condition in dairy cows. Milk yield, feed intake, meal size, and number, heart rate and heat production were similar in the two dietary groups. Visit duration and time spent eating were shorter, and body temperature was higher in the soy hulls fed cows. It was concluded that supplying soy hulls can enable cows subjected to heat load conditions to reduce the costs of feed ingestion. However, the contribution of this tool to the overall energy budget is rather small.