Compact total mixed ration - effects on feed intake, rumen pH and milk production in dairy cows

摘要

When feed is distributed on a feed table with 2-3 cows per meter feeding space, there is a risk that high-ranked cows fed TMR sort and eat the more palatable concentrate parts to a higher extent than the roughage, leaving a less energy dense mix to the low-ranked cows. A way to handle this risk is to make the feed mix more homogenous and dense, by soaking the concentrates and mixing the diet more thoroughly. However, as this results in a decreased particle size, it could possibly result in decreasedpH in the rumen. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increased mixing and reduced dry matter (DM) content in a TMR on feed intake, milk production and rumen pH. The hypotheses were that increased mixing and reduced DM would decrease particle size, decrease rumen pH and thus reduce feed intake and milk yield in dairy cows compared with cows fed a traditional TMR.