Evaluation of raw and roasted lupins as protein supplements for lactating cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate lupin seeds (Lupinus albus), raw or commercially roasted, as a protein supplement for lactating dairy cows. Heat treatment of lupins may be beneficial to reduce the proportion of rapidly degrading protein, decrease the rate of ruminal degradation, and increase the undergraded intake proteins (UIP). The evaluation of raw lupins (RL) and roasted lupins (ROL) was done by comparing (1) nitrogen (N) fractions of RL and ROL with solvent-extracted soybean meal (SBM) by chemical, in vitro and in situ methods (2) rumen fermentation characteristics and digestibility of nutrients in the whole tract of cows fed RL, ROL and SBM as supplements and, (3) production performance (milk yield, milk composition and efficiency of feed utilization) of lactating cows fed RL or ROL with SBM as protein supplements.Considering the overall performance, it was concluded that coarsely ground RL can be a satisfactory protein supplement to replace SBM in the ration of lactating cows and ROL was a superior supplement compared to SBM. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 31-02, page: 0675