Keywords
transition period, feeding behavior, diet fermentability
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diet fermentability (DF) and rumen-protected choline (RPC) on postpartum feeding behavior and performance. Sixty-five multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled 21 days prepartum and supplemented with RPC (C+; 30 g/d) or without RPC (C-). Postpartum, cows (n = 55) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of starch fermentability (low [dry rolled corn; LFERM] vs. high [wheat; HFERM]) and corresponding prepartum RPC treatment ([C-] vs. [C+; 30 g/d]) and were fed for 21 days in a tie-stall. Feeding behaviors, dry matter intake (DMI), and milk yield were recorded daily, and milk components were collected at six consecutive milkings weekly. Prepartum, C+ decreased DMI compared with C- (32.6 vs. 37.7 kg), whereas no treatment differences were detected for postpartum DMI. Postpartum, there was no evidence of a treatment difference in total DMI. The HFERM increased milk yield after day 3 compared with LFERM, but reduced milk fat concentration and milk true protein yield and concentration; milk fat yield was unchanged. Supplementation with RPC decreased plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration and tended to increase plasma glucose concentration compared to C-. In conclusion, RPC at a low inclusion rate reduced DMI prepartum and decreased postpartum plasma BHB concentrations, suggesting the product improved metabolic status. Diet fermentability and RPC did not interact to affect feeding behavior, likely reflecting the relatively lesser-than-anticipated differences in starch digestibility between treatments.
Recommended Citation
Pasch, Kelsey R.; Vignati, Felicitas; and Brown, William E. (2026) "Effect of Dietary Choline and Diet Fermentability on Feeding Behavior and Performance of Postpartum Dairy Cows," Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports: Vol. 12: Iss. 2.
Rights Statement
