Flavor effects on feed consumption and performance of dairy cattle in early lactation

A three-part study was carried out to investigate the potential effects of flavors on feed consumption of dairy cows in early lactation. Two sequential elimination trials, each with six multiparous Holstein cows, were conducted to test the effects of additives on the preference ranking of diets. Starting eight days postpartum cows were fed a total mixed ration (TMR) twice daily. Four additives and a control (no additive) were examined in each trial with the most preferred, highest total dry matter (DM) intake, being dropped after 5, 4, 3 and 2 d feeding segments. Sweet (sucrose, 1.5% of diet DM), sour (HCl, 1.25%), bitter (urea, 1%), and salt (NaCl 4%) were tested in Trial 1. Four of six cows ranked sweet first and mean (n = 6) intake was 12.8% more than for the second placed control. Mean intake in Trial 1 was 13.7 kg DM/d and milk yield was 32.8 kg/d. The probability of a cow ranking sweet or control first was.59 and.36 respectively, according to a Plackett-Luce Model analysis (X$\sp2,$ P $$ control $>$ bitter $>$ salt $>$ sour (Trial 1) and control = MSG $>$ molasses $>$ dehydrated alfalfa $>$ anise (Trial 2). The preference for sucrose and its potential to enhance feed consumption in early lactation were evaluated in a 12-wk lactation trial. Twenty four cows, 16 multiparous Jerseys and 8 primiparous Holsteins, were assigned at parturition to either a control or sucrose-sweetened (1.5% of diet DM) TMR in a randomized complete-block design. The diet included 10% corn silage, 30% alfalfa haylage, and 60% ground corn-soybean meal based concentrate on a DM basis, and was fed to insure 10% refusal. An additional 2.3 kg of alfalfa hay was fed the first 5 d postpartum. Covariate (body weight on the day of parturition) adjusted mean DM intake, milk yield, 3.5% fat corrected milk yields; and milk fat, milk protein, and solids-non-fat percentages were: 19.0 and 19.1 (P $>$.10), 28.4 and 29.3 (P $>$.10), 27.9 and 29.4 kg/d (P $>$.10), 3.4 and 3.3; and 3.5 and 3.28 (P $$.10) for the respective measures and treatments. In the absence of being offered a choice of diets, sucrose at 1.5% of diet DM did not enhance feed intake averaged over the first 12 wk of lactation.U of I OnlyETDs are only available to UIUC Users without author permissio