HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dunham, J. R. Articles by Reddy, M. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dunham, J. R. Articles by Reddy, M. C.

Occurrence of Methyl Sulfide in Milk from Cows Fed Fresh, Dried, or Stored Alfalfa¹

Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan

ABSTRACT

Methyl sulfide (Me₂S) concentrations in milk and Me2S peak heights in blood plasma and rumen fluid from cows fed various alfalfa test meals were determined. Comparisons of Me2S levels were made when cows were fed green and oven-dried alfalfa at vegetative and bloom stages; also, when fed sun-cured and oven-dried alfalfa after storage. Variations in Me₂S concentration were established for randomly related cows and for identical twins.

Milk Me₂S concentration increased from zero before feeding a test meal to a maximum about three hours after feeding. Rumen fluid and blood plasma Me₂S levels reached maxima before or about the time of those in the milk. Oven drying did not reduce Me₂S production significantly from that obtained with green alfalfa forage. Sun curing and oven drying yielded equivalent results. Feeding immature alfalfa forage resulted in significantly more milk Me₂S than did feeding bloom-stage alfalfa. Feeding alfalfa hay stored three months resulted in very low Me₂S milk.

¹ Contribution no. 674, Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan.