Milk Fat Depression in Dairy Cows: Role of Particle Size of Alfalfa Hay

¹ Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
² USDA-Agricultural Research Service, US Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI 53706

Two trials were conducted to examine the role of particle size of alfalfa hay in modifying milk fat secretion in daily cows. In trial 1, four ruminally fistulated cows in a crossover design were fed total mixed rations (29% NDF) containing either fine (1.0 mm), medium (1.5 mm), or coarse (2.1 mm) ground alfalfa hay as 55% of dietary DM. In trial 2, nine cows in a switchback design consumed rations (32% NDF) containing fine (.9 mm) or coarse (2.3 mm) ground alfalfa hay as 55% of dietary DM. Daily intake of NDF and DM was not influenced by particle size of hay. Actual milk production was unaffected by particle size, but milk fat percentage on fine ration was .84 and .78 that on coarse in trials 1 and 2, respectively, resulting in reduced 4% FCM and apparent efficiency of production. Cows fed fine rations ruminated less and spent less time ruminating per kilogram of NDF intake. In both trials, ruminal pH decreased and ruminal propionate, plasma glucose, and serum insulin concentrations increased when cows consumed the fine ration. Blood levels of total cholesterol and glycerol, and adipose glycerol-P dehydrogenase activity were not significantly affected by particle size of hay, although trends indicated increased adipose lipogenic activity when cows were fed the fine ration. These results suggest that reduced particle size of hay produces metabolic changes predicted by the glucogenic theory for milk fat depression.

Key Words: neutral detergent fiber • particle size • milk fat depression

Submitted on September 22, 1989
Accepted on January 19, 1990

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