Grazed chicory, plantain or ryegrass–white clover alters milk yield and fatty acid composition of late-lactating dairy cows
M. C. Mangwe A B , R. H. Bryant A , M. R. Beck A , A. E. Fleming A and P. Gregorini A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand.
B Corresponding author. Email: Mancoba.Mangwe@lincolnuni.ac.nz
Animal Production Science 60(1) 107-113 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN18537
Submitted: 31 August 2018 Accepted: 1 December 2018 Published: 20 December 2018
Abstract
The aim of the present research was to compare milk fatty acid composition of cows grazing perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture (RGWC), with that of cows grazing alternative forages of chicory or plantain. Fifty-four cows, balanced for milk solids, days in milk and bodyweight, were divided evenly into replicated groups of six cows/group. Cows grazing chicory or plantain had similar estimated dry-matter intake (17.7 kg DM/cow.day) and milk-solid (MS) yield (1.93 kg MS/cow.day), which were greater (P < 0.05) than for cows grazing RGWC (15.6 kg DM/cow.day and 1.65 kg MS/cow.day). Milk produced from cows grazing chicory or plantain contained greater proportions of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) than that from cows on RGWC (P < 0.01), despite lower omega-3 FA in herbage. RGWC increased the percentage of conjugated linoleic and vaccenic acids in milk compared with those of milk produced from herbs (P < 0.01). This reflects the greater percentage of α-linolenic acid in RGWC (P ≤ 0.02) than in forage herbs. The changes in FA profile from the herbage to the milk suggests less biohydrogenation in cows grazing the herbs. Forage herbs demonstrated the potential benefit to alter milk FA composition, while increasing milk production.
Additional keywords: Cichorium intybus, herbs, Lolium perenne, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens.
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