Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1989

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

James K. Miller

Committee Members

John K. Bernard, Monty J. Montgomery, John C. Waller

Abstract

Effect of adding wet or dry corn gluten feed to the ration of lactating dairy cattle was investigated in two separate experiments. In experiment one, 133 Holstein cows in a commercial dairy herd were randomly assigned to two groups based on parity and production and fed one of two diets during a 26 wk continuous study. The control diet consisted of 74.2% corn silage, 25.7% concentrate (20% Protein), .1% minerals and vitamins on a DM basis. Wet corn gluten feed replaced 25% of the control diet DM in the second diet. In experiment two, 48 lactating Holstein cows from the University of Tennessee's dairy herd at Knoxville were blocked by parity and production into groups of three. Cows within blocks were assigned to one of three dietary treatments and housed in a tie stall barn for a 2 wk preliminary period followed by a 20 wk experimental period. The basal diet for experiment two consisted of (DM basis) 35.8% corn silage, 8.4% alfalfa hay, 20.3% corn grain, and 35.6% concentrate. Wet or dry corn gluten feed replaced 25% of the control diet DM in the two experimental diets. Alfalfa hay was held constant for all treatments at 2.3 kg per cow per day.

In experiment one, there were no differences in milk yield or composition due to treatment for multiparous cows. However, primiparous heifers consuming the wet corn gluten feed diet produced more milk (P<.005) and 4% FCM (P<.002) although percentage fat or protein was not different.

In experiment two, there were no differences in actual or 4% FCM milk production. Percentage milk fat was lowest (P<.03) for cows consuming the diet containing dry corn gluten feed. Intake of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF was higher (P<.01) for cows consuming the dried corn gluten feed diet compared to that of cows consuming the control diet. Apparent digestibility of DM was higher (P<.01) when cows consumed the diet containing dried corn gluten feed compared to the control diet. All cows gained weight regardless of treatment. The calculated efficiency of production (kg 4% FCM/kg DM intake) was lowest for cows consuming the dry corn gluten feed diet (1.33), highest for the wet corn gluten feed treatment (1.50), and intermediate for cows fed the control diet (1.40).

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