Effects of high-quality oil palm frond pellets on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, and production performance of lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influences of feeding high-quality oil palm frond pellets (HOPFP) as a replacement for concentrate on the DMI, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, milk production, and milk composition in lactating dairy cows. Material and Methods: Four, multiparous 75% Holstein Friesian cows were assigned in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive HOPFP as a dietary replacement for concentrate at 0, 25, 50, and 75% (DM basis). Cows were fed concentrate + HOPFP at a 2:1 ratio of daily milk production to diet, and urea-treated rice straw (5% urea) was fed ad libitum as roughage. Results and Discussion: Concentrate + HOPFP feed intake, total DMI (kg/d and %BW), nutrient digestibility, and nutrient intake of DM and OM were significantly greater in cows that received 25% HOPFP than those in those in other groups (P < 0.05). There was a quadratic (P < 0.05) effect of HOPFP level on total VFA (4 h after feeding) and milk yield, with greater values in cows fed 25% HOPFP due to the greater feed intake and digestibility of DM and OM. Cows fed with 0, 25, and 50% HOPFP had greater milk fatty acids in terms of C14:0, C16:0, and C18:2n-6, whereas milk composition and the other fatty acids in milk were not altered among the groups (P > 0.05). Implication and Application: The HOPFP can be used as an alternative feed resource for lactating dairy cows. Practically, smallholder farmers with low- and medium-producing dairy cows could use the findings.