Full-fat corn germ improves the performance and milk quality of lactating cows fed sugarcane bagasse and cactus cladodes as forage sources

Abstract the present study investigated the effects of replacing ground corn with full-fat corn germ on milk production, milk composition, and nutrient utilization in cows fed sugarcane bagasse and cactus cladodes. Ten multiparous Girolando cows (average body weight 500 ± 66 kg, 90 ± 15 days in milk) were distributed into a replicated 5 x 5 Latin Square, and assigned to five dietary treatments containing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of full-fat corn germ in substitution to ground corn. Full-fat corn germ increased energy-corrected milk yield and synthesis of fat, lactose, and total solids in milk (p < 0.05). Cows fed corn germ quadratically increased (p < 0.05) intake of dry matter, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients, and linearly reduced (p < 0.05) the intake of total non-fiber carbohydrates. Except for ether extract and non-fiber carbohydrates, full-fat corn germ did not alter (p > 0.05) nutrient digestibility. Feeding corn germ reduced (p < 0.05) the excretion of urea-N in milk and N excretion via urine. These results demonstrate that full-fat corn germ can partially replace ground corn to enhance production efficiency in crossbred cows fed cactus cladodes and sugarcane bagasse. Furthermore, including sugarcane bagasse in FFCG-supplemented diets prevents milk fat depression in cows fed cactus cladodes.