How to Increase Dairy Cow Productivity
We’ve previously discussed how Hi-Gel™ Corn is a highly digestible source of rumen-degradable protein and energy for dairy cows. Due to Hi-Gel™ Corn’s high degree of starch gelatinization – a function of heat and pressure that breaks down the starch molecules – it is easier for the rumen microbes to break down and transform the starch into a usable energy and protein source to support milk production. Previous work shows that dry Hi-Gel™ Corn is 19% more readily digestible in the cow’s rumen than steam-flaked corn.
As shown in the graph above, cows fed Hi-Gel™ Corn in combination with ExPress® soymeal produced, on average, 1.8 kg more milk than cows fed steam-flaked corn with ExPress® soymeal. When ExPress® soymeal was replaced with commodity canola meal, milk production declined. Despite these differences, dry matter intake did not differ significantly across diets. In cows fed the Hi-Gel™ Corn diet, milk production remained stable over the 21 days, with no changes observed in milk protein or milk fat levels. In contrast, cows fed steam-flaked corn and canola-based diets experienced slight declines in milk production over time. With the right ingredients, it is possible to improve dairy cow performance.
Stay tuned for additional research this year concerning rumen-degradable protein and extruded ingredients, as more testing is currently underway!
