Animal production and and ruminal parameters were analyzed to evaluate the substitution of corn by pearl millet. Four lactating cannulated Holstein cows were used in a incomplete 5X4 Latin Square design. Cows were fed a 48.6% corn silage diet (dry matter basis). Treatments consisted of substitution of corn stacrh by pearl millet in five different proportions: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. All grain substitutions were estimated in the starch content basis. There was no effect of grain source on dry matter intake, milk yield and milk fat percent. However, there was a quartic effect on milk protein content, as pearl millet grain increased. There was no treatment effect on ruminal pH, acetate, propionate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids concentration. There was a linear effect on ruminal N-NH3 concentration, when pearl millet was increased. Pearl millet substitution for corn does not seem to affect performance of lactating Holstein cows.
Pennisetum americanum; starch; VFA
