News from the Midwest Sectional Meetings, March 16-18, 1998, Des Moines, Iowa
Contact:
Department of Ag Communications, South Dakota State University, (605) 688-5795
New Enzyme Treatment May Improve Dairy Producers Profits
BROOKINGS, S.D.– Higher profits for dairy producers through reduced feed costs are possible by treating forages with enzymes, according to a study conducted by South Dakota State University Dairy Researcher, David J. Schingoethe.
He reported on the effects of direct feeding a cellulase and xylanase enzyme mixture on forage digestability at the American Dairy Science Association and American Society of Animal Science joint Midwest Section March 16-18 in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Forages are our main source of energy for dairy cows and the cheapest source of energy," said Schingoethe. "If we can get the same milk production by feeding treated forages as with feeding grain, producers can enjoy higher returns."
In short, cellulase and xylanase give cattle a head start on digestion, said Schingoethe. The two enzymes are currently found in the dairy cow rumen in small amounts and their function is to aid the digestion process. Years ago, researchers found if they added these enzymes to silage, digestibility of forages was improved.
In Schingoethe's study, the cellulase and xylanase mixture was applied to the forage portion of a corn silage and alfalfa hay based ration at the time of feeding. Cows were fed one of five treatment diets for a 12-week period. Diets one through four were 55 percent forage and 45 percent concentrate. Diets two through four were treated with enzymes. Treatment levels varied from diet to diet. Diet five was an untreated control of 45 percent forage and 55 percent concentrate.
Within two to four weeks, milk production increased due to enzyme treatments in diets two through four and was similar to production of cows fed diet five, the high grain diet. This was maintained throughout the remainder of the experiment.
Schingoethe is currently conducting an experiment to determine the best time to start using the treatment, before calving, at the time of calving or after the cow achieves maximum milk production.