Authors : Liu Dewen, Lian Hongxia, Fu Tong and Gao Tengyun
Abstract: According to the principle of similar milk yield, parturition numbers, lactation day and body weight, 15 early- and 15 mid-lactation Holstein cows were chosen and randomly allocated to three groups in pairs. The dairy cows in group 1 (control group) were fed basic diet, group 2 and 3 were fed fresh alfalfa 2.5 and 5 kg (DM basis), respectively in addition to the basic diet. The results showed that by supplementing fresh alfalfa DMI of dairy cows could be increased; fresh alfalfa had the trend of increasing higher milk density, milk fat, milk protein and SNF. The milk density of group 2 (26.53±0.62%) was higher (p<0.05) than group 3 (24.95±1.50%) in the early lactation and that of group 1 (25.91±1.08%) and group 2 (26.22±0.52%) were higher (p<0.05) than group 3 (24.96±0.98%) in the middle lactation; fresh alfalfa had no effect on the proportions of C12:0-C16:0 (p>0.05) but could enhance the level of UFA, especially the proportion of UFA in milk. For the dairy cows in either early or middle lactation, C18:2 and C18:3 in group 2 or 3 was higher than that of group 1 (p>0.05). It was also found that the better supplementary level of fresh alfalfa was 2.5 kg/head/day. The high level of fresh alfalfa could increase the level of BUN significantly (p<0.05).
Liu Dewen, Lian Hongxia, Fu Tong and Gao Tengyun, 2012. Effects of Fresh Alfalfa on Performance and the Composition of Fatty Acids in Milk of Dairy Cows. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 300-303.