Effectiveness of the Dairy Cattle Feed Formulation System in Developing Lactating Rations

Using Distillers Grains in Dairy Cattle Rations

Distillers grains are co-products produced from the fermentation of grains for alcohol. Traditionally, alcohol was produced mainly for the beverage liquor industry, but in the last 20 years its use as an alternative fuel has increased significantly. This increased demand has led to the development of several ethanol production plants in Minnesota and the surrounding area. In 1996, it is estimat...

Glycerol as a Feed Ingredient in Dairy Rations

The term ‘bio-diesel’ is used to describe the methyl or sometimes ethyl esters produced from oilseed crops. Every 10 gallons of biodiesel produced generates about 7.6 lb of crude glycerol. According to the National Biodiesel Board, the production of biodiesel in the U.S. over the next decade is expected to grow (http:// www.biodiesel.org/). Current annual production is 395 million gallons and p...

Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium in Dairy Cattle Rations

The trace minerals zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are components of a wide variety of enzymes and proteins that support metabolism, growth, production, and reproduction. Trace mineral supplements are added to dairy cattle rations to prevent mineral deficiencies, and supplementation has traditionally been provided in the form of inorganic salts. When these inorganic salts dissociate in th...

Effects of diet on short-term regulation of feed intake by lactating dairy cattle.

Physical and chemical characteristics of dietary ingredients and their interactions can have a large effect on dry matter intake (DMI) of lactating cows. Physical limitations caused by distension of the reticulo-rumen or other compartments of the gastrointestinal tract often limit DMI of high producing cows or cows fed high forage diets. Fermentation acids also limit DMI from a combination of i...

Carbohydrate nutrition for lactating dairy cattle