Guar Meal in Dairy Rations

Abstract

The value of guar meal in rations for dairy animals was studied. In investigations with lactating dairy cows using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, the average daily solids-corrected milk production was 14.6, 14.5, 14.4 and 14.9 kg on concentrate rations containing 15% soybean, cottonseed, raw guar, or processed guar meals, respectively. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in flavor, fat, protein or total solids per cent in milk from cows on these diets. The apparent coefficients of digestion for protein were 81.3, 79.2, 80.0%, and the protein efficiency coefficients were 82.6, 87.7 and 88.4%, respeetively, with rations containing 15% cottonseed meal, raw guar meal and processed guar meal. No marked differences in the palatabilities of rations containing either raw or processed guar meal, or cottonseed meal were observed in group-fed or, after the second day, in stall-fed lactating dairy cows. In calf-starter mixtures flavored, processed guar and cottonseed meal gave slightly better rates of intake and gain than unflavored, processed guar for the first 30 days only. © 1968, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.