Evaluation of Alfalfa hay and silage in complete diets for lactating goats
Abstract: Third and fourth cuts of alfalfa forage were conserved as hay or ensiled either untreated or treated with 1.3 g of HCHO/100g of CP and fed to lactating Zariabi goats (three groups, 6 each group).
The obtained results indicated that silage treated with HCHO had the lowest pH and concentrations of NPN, NH3, butyric acid and protein solubility, while acetic acid concentration increased. The improvements in the digestibilities of nutrients reflected better feeding values in terms of TDN, DCP and NEI for diet containing treated-AS than AH or AS. Rumen pH and concentration of VFA were similar for all diets.
Although dry matter intake was comparable, yields of milk, 4% FCM and its component were higher when treated silage were fed. Milk NPN concentration and rumen NH3-N concentration were lower on treated-silage diet. On the other hand. yields of true protein-N, CN, NCN and whey-N in milk were higher for goats fed treated-silage diet. This indicated efficiency of the protection and/or better synchronization between availability of energy and release of NH3-N. Plasma concentration urea-N was decreased when the HCHO-treated silage, whereas, concentrations total protein and albumin were increased.
It could be concluded that formaldehyde treatment effectively improved utilization of nutrients in alfalfa silage by lactating goats based on better fermentation characteristics during ensiling and in the rumen and improved feeding values. In addition, formaldehyde treatment could be recommended for the alfalfa silage to improve milk production and its components.
Keywords: Alfalfa, hay, silage, goats, milk production, milk composition, milk protein fractions
Publication year 2004
Pages 181-194
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian journal Animal Production
ISSN 0302-4520
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    احمد زكى محرز جامعة المنصورة
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Goats. Milk production. Silage.
Proposed Agrovoc Alfalfa hay;lactating goats;milk protein fractions;milk composition;HCHO;
Publication Type Journal
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