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Milk Production of Dairy Cows Fed Ammonium and Calcium Salts of Volatile Fatty Acids on 43 Commercial Dairy Farms

Animal Nutrition Supplements, Eastman Chemicals Division, PO Box 1955, Kingsport, TN 37662

R. M. Cook

Department of Dairy Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824

A. A. Jimenez⁴ and D. D. Dildey⁵

Animal Nutrition Consultants, Ancon, Incorporated, PO Box 4396, Modesto, CA 95352

L. E. Armentano

Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

ABSTRACT

Five trials were conducted on 43 commercial dairy farms in Michigan, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and California between 1982 and 1986. A total of 5250 animals (3727 cows and 1523 first-calf heifers) were used in the trials to determine milk production response of animals fed ammonium and calcium salts of VFA for either a 3-mo test period (34 farms) or a 4-mo test period (9 farms). A variety of diets were fed and included different sources and amounts of forages, concentrates, and protein supplements. Cows that freshened during the trials produced more milk (3.0 kg/d) when fed VFA in a total mixed ration. For cows already lactating at the start of the trial, milk production response to VFA was greatest (2.6 kg/d) during early lactation (1 to 50 d in milk). Milk production response of VFA was lower for cows and heifers in later stages of lactation and for heifers that freshened during the trial. Using methods to introduce VFA gradually into the diet, providing it in a palatable carrier, and emphasizing the feeding of cows in early lactation increased the milk production response. Milk fat yield and milk protein yield were higher for both cows and heifers fed VFA. Somatic cell count of milk, health, and reproductive performance were similar between treatments.

¹ SmithKline Animal Health Products. PO Box 2650, West Chester, PA 19380.

² Twin Brook Farms, R. D. #2, Pennellville, NY 13132.

³ Rhone Poulenc Inc., 500 Northridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30338.

⁴ Deceased.

⁵ Alltech, Inc., PO Box 8216, Stockton, CA 95208.