Performance of Dairy Cows Fed High Moisture Corn or Rehydrated Corn Grain Silages with the Addition of Sodium Benzoate

Le résumé fourni par la source

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium benzoate inclusion in high moisture corn (HMC) and rehydrated corn grain (RCG) silages on silage fermentation profile, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, and performance of lactating Holstein cows. Silages were prepared in 200-L drums (n = 6 per treatment) and treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design: grain source (HMC or RCG) and additive (without or with 0.2% sodium benzoate, fresh basis). Twenty-four Holstein cows were assigned to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Sodium benzoate reduced (P < 0.01) butyric acid, ethanol, and other fermentation end-products (Table 2), and tended to reduce soluble protein concentration. Total-tract starch digestibility increased (P = 0.05) with sodium benzoate inclusion (Table 4), resulting in increased milk yield (+0.8 kg/d; P = 0.05) (Table 5). Feeding behavior was altered, with greater chewing time and meal frequency (Table 6). No differences were observed between HMC and RCG regarding animal performance. Rehydrated corn grain silage was as effective as HMC as a starch source for dairy cows. Sodium benzoate improved fermentation quality and milk production without negatively affecting intake.

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