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Effect of Molasses in Normal- and High-Grain Rations on Utilization of Nutrients for Lactation¹

Department of Dairy Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

ABSTRACT

Molasses added to ground ear-corn at a level of 10% and fed with wilted silage (66% moisture) in a 40:60 ratio of grain-to-roughage (dry basis) depressed milk and fat-corrected milk (FCM) yields and milk fat content. Molasses was not detrimental with haylage (47% moisture) or with a 60:40 ratio of grain-to-roughage. Molasses had no measurable effect on dry matter intake or efficiency of estimated net energy (ENE) utilization. Increasing the grain from 40 to 60% in the haylage ration increased dry matter intake, but decreased feed efficiency. However, raising the grain level to 60% with the wilted silage increased milk fat percentage. FCM yield, and lowered consumption, resulting in improved efficiency.

In a subsequent experiment, addition of 6% sucrose to rations of alfalfa hay and 40 or 60% grain reduced the milk fat content in a manner similar to molasses in the first experiment. Interaction effects of sucrose with grain-to-roughage ratios on milk fat content, solids-corrected milk yield, and efficiency were also similar to the interaction effects observed with molasses. Sucrose increased ruminal butyrate, but decreased acetate and the aeetate-to-butyrate ratio.

This similarity in lactation responses suggests that the influence of molasses is via its sucrose content.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as paper no. 2041, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.

² Present address: Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison.

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