Effect of low and high protein diets with or without distillers dried grains with solubles (ddgs) on milk production of dairy cows

Abstract

Eighteen multiparous and 12 primiparous Danish Holstein dairy cows of parity av. 2.47 and av. 650 kg body weight were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments. Cows were fed two levels of CP 15 vs 17% with or without distillers dried grains with soluble (DDGS). Four dietary treatments were low protein with distillers grains (LPDG), low protein without distillers grains (LPNDG), high protein with distillers grains (HPDG) and high protein without distillers grains (HPNDG). Quality of DDGS as protein feed compared to diets with soybean meal and rapeseed cake, dry matter intake; milk production and milk composition were observed. There was no difference as protein feed between DDGS and good quality protein soybean meal and rapeseed cake within low and high CP diets. Quality of DDGS was as good as good quality protein soybean meal and rapeseed cake.