Comparison neutral detergent fiber of forage: Feeding behavior and rumen kinetics

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the partial substituition of corn silage NDF by sugar-cane NDF or sugar-cane treated with NaOH NDF or alfalfa hay NDF, on feeding behavior, ruminal mat consistency and passage rate of lactating Holstein cows cannulated in the rumen and duodenum, which were assigned in a 5×5 latin square design during 65 days. Two control diets were utilized, one with low (SMB = low corn silage;  negative control) and another one with high (SMA = high corn silage; positive control) forage NDF concentration (SMB containing 14% and SMA with 22% forage NDF from corn silage). Three experimental rations were balanced to contain 14% corn silage NDF and 8% sugar-cane NDF (CAN) or sugar-cane treated with NaOH NDF (CAS) or alfalfa hay NDF (FA). There was reduction (P<0.01) in rumination and chewing times in cows fed the SMB diet, reduction (P<0.05) in the ruminal mat consistency in cows fed the SMB and SMA diets, and increase (P<0.05) in the passage rate in cows fed sugar-cane (CAN), sugar-cane + NaOH (CAS) and alfalfa hay (FA) diets. It was concluded that replacing 8% corn silage NDF by sugar-cane NDF is recommended for  midlactating dairy cows.