Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Animal and Nutritional Sciences

Committee Chair

W. H. Hoover.

Abstract

Fermenten is a commercially available by-product of lysine production recommended by the manufacturer (Biovance Technologies Inc., Omaha, NE) as a protein source for growing heifers and lactating cows. It has not been used in the diets of dry cows within 4 weeks of parturition. Three groups of 10 cows each, balanced for breed (Ayrshire and Holstein) and parity, were assigned to diets containing 0, 0.73 and 1.45 kg Fermenten dry matter/day. The diets were fed from 4 weeks prior to expected calving through 6 weeks of lactation. Dry matter intake of all diets decreased prior to calving, with the treatments significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control diet. Decline in intake between wk 2 and wk 1 prepartum was 3.6%, 20.4% and 15.8% for the control, low and high Fermenten diets, respectively. Postpartum nutrient intakes increased for all diets with treatments significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the control at week one and marginally lower (P < 0.10) for weeks 2 through 6. Intake of NDF was below 1% of body weight up to 4 weeks postpartum for all groups. Milk yield was significantly (P < 0.05) depressed by Fermenten (6.50 and 5.95 kg/d for low and high levels, respectively). Milk fat and protein percentages were not affected by diets. Body weight and body condition score at calving were significantly decreased by Fermenten (P < 0.05). Fermenten contains anionic salts, and was found to reduce urine pH. Cows fed Fermenten had a higher incidence of metabolic disorders. Based on these results, Fermenten is not recommended in the diets of close-up dry cows.

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