The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of supplementing diets with similar protein, fiber and lipid contents with different lipid sources on dry matter intake, milk yield and feed efficiency of early lactating Jersey cows. Eight multiparous cows averaging 420 kg of body weight and daily yield of 20 kg of 3.5% fat corrected milk (FCM) were randomly assigned to two replicated 4 x 4 Latin squares. Each experimental period lasted four weeks and means were compared by F-test. Cows were fed the following diets: CON control diet without lipid supplementation; RPF- basal diet supplemented with a commercial rumen-protected fat source (calcium salts of fatty acids from palm oil); RBRO- basal diet supplemented with rice bran and rice oil; RBT- basal diet supplemented with rice bran and tallow. The concentrate portion of the diet contained ground corn and soybean meal while the forage portion was composed by corn silage and alfalfa hay (1:1, dry matter basis). Concentrate was fed three times a day and forage ad libitum. Diets were formulated to contain a forage:concentrate ratio of 55:45. Supplementation with different dietary lipid sources did not affect dry matter intake but increased milk yield compared to the CON diet. In adittion, both FCM and feed efficiency were greatest on cows fed the RPF diet.
calcium salts of fatty acids; milk; oil; rice bran; tallow
