Alternative and Unconventional Feeds in Dairy Diets and Their Effect on Fatty Acid Profile and Health Properties of Milk Fat

Milk fat is an important nutritional compound in the human diet. From the health point of view, some fatty acids (FAs), particularly long-chain PUFAs such as EPA and DHA, have been at the forefront of interest due to their antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, which play a positive role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as well as linoleic and γ-linolenic acids, which play an important role in CVD treatment as essential components of phospholipids in the mitochondria of cell membranes. Thus, the modification of the FA profile—especially an increase in the concentration of polyunsaturated FAs and n-3 FAs in bovine milk fat—is desirable. The most effective way to achieve this goal is via dietary manipulations. The effects of various strategies in dairy nutrition have been thoroughly investigated; however, there are some alternative or unconventional feedstuffs that are often used for purposes other than basic feeding or modifying the fatty acid profiles of milk, such as tanniferous plants, herbs and spices, and algae. The use of these foods in dairy diets and their effects on milk fatty acid profile are reviewed in this article. The contents of selected individual FAs (atherogenic, rumenic, linoleic, α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) and their combinations; the contents of n3 and n6 FAs; n6/n3 ratios; and atherogenic, health-promoting and S/P indices were used as criteria for assessing the effect of these feeds on the health properties of milk fat.

Effects of fodder conservation and ration formulation interventions on dairy performance in Kenya

Use of conserved forages and proper ration formulation has great potential to bridge the gap in dairy nutrition and reduce seasonal variations in milk yield. This study determined the effects of various fodder and ration formulation interventions on dairy farm performance in North Rift, Eastern, and Central regions of Kenya. Seventy-two farms were purposively selected as participating farms and assigned into six groups of twelve as follows: two groups on silage production, two groups on ration formulation, and two control groups having similar production systems and in the same geographical locations as the other groups. Data on daily dry matter feed intake and milk yield were recorded while laboratory analysis was done to determine milk butterfat and protein content. The data was analyzed using a multi-linear regression model to assess the relationship between independent and dependent variables. The results showed that farmers using feed rationing with advisory services had the highest average daily milk yield (19.7 kg/cow) compared to maize train silage (16.8 kg/cow) and those with silage support from Service Provider Enterprises (SPE) (13.3 kg/cow) (P<0.05). Daily dry matter feed intake/cow varied significantly across the interventions as well as feed utilization efficiency (P<0.05). Milk butterfat and milk protein content did not differ (P>0.05) across the interventions. In conclusion, use of maize train silage and feed rationing with advisory services increased milk yield and reduced seasonal milk fluctuation. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(2): 76-83, December 2020

Towards smart dairy nutrition: Improving sustainability and economics of dairy production

To satisfy increasing food and nutrient supply requirements for our growing future human population, farmers and staple food producers carry vital responsibilities. Especially farmers with ruminant livestock like dairy cows transform otherwise for human consumption unsuitable fibre into highly nutritious milk and meat. Nevertheless, dairy farmers are challenged increasingly by the consequences of global warming. Economic risks like feed supply and volatile commodity prices need to be balanced, also taking into account the increasing environmental awareness of end-customers. Focusing just on emissions, dairy production is contributing an essential part of the total carbon footprint emitted by the agricultural sector. Since rumen degradability of feed was identified by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of the most influential parameters in reducing the carbon footprint of dairy farming, the desire to exploit leverage potential for efficiency increases can be considered exceptionally high. Although the positive effects of improved feed, in other words, neutral detergent fibre rumen degradability for dairy farming are well understood, detailed information on the correct management to obtain well digestible feed sources is still missing. Using the smart dairy nutrition ration formulation concept, applying readily on-farm available digitized data and management information the objectives of this study were: 1) to assess the influential parameters which govern neutral detergent fibre rumen degradability of corn silage, using a set of 584 corn silages from multiple years, and 2) to evaluate within an integrated dairy production set up the economic and ecological improvement potential by feeding a subset of 28 different corn silages, including detailed variety information. Results show that the neutral detergent fibre rumen degradability is primarily governed by variety choice and can be four times more important than the correct harvest stage decision. By feeding corn silage varieties with high neutral detergent fibre rumen degradability, monetary income could be increased by ~10% while simultaneously reducing manure accumulation.

Influence of Sequential SNAP-Ed Nutritional Intervention in Washington D.C. Preschoolers

Objectives Many preschoolers do not consume the daily recommended intake of dairy products, especially those living in a low-income family. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) conducted two series of educational interventions directed toward the low-fat dairy consumption of preschoolers in Washington D.C. This study aimed to examine the influence that sequential educational intervention had on enhancing the preschoolers’ knowledge of dairy products, including types and related health benefits. Methods In January 2018, SNAP-Ed educators implemented intervention I in 105 classes in 25 diverse sites. In July 2018, they conducted intervention II in 34 classes in 12 diverse sites. Two-question pre- and post-assessments were given in each intervention to 1232 and 409 preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years old, respectively. In intervention I, the children were asked to raise their hand if they agreed: Q1. Milk is a dairy food. Q2. Dairy foods help to keep our bones and teeth strong. In intervention II, the children were asked to raise their hand if they agreed: Q1. Calcium and Vitamin D help to keep our teeth and bones strong. Q2. Yogurt gives us calcium for strong bones and teeth. Results Results showed that in both interventions there was a positive change. In intervention I, initially, 27% and 30% of preschoolers correctly answered Q1 and Q2. After the intervention, 98% and 99% of preschoolers correctly answered Q1 and Q2, respectively. In intervention II, initially, 55% and 60% of preschoolers correctly answered Q1 and Q2, respectively. However, after the intervention, 86% and 90% of preschoolers correctly answered Q1 and Q2, respectively. With intervention I, preschoolers showed a 71% and 69% increase in their knowledge in Q1 and Q2, respectively. While in intervention II, they showed a 31% and 30% increase in their knowledge in Q1 and Q2, respectively. Conclusions Both SNAP-Ed dairy nutrition education interventions significantly increased preschoolers’ knowledge of dairy products. Initial results of intervention II revealed the improvement in the preschoolers’ knowledge of low-fat dairy resulted from intervention I. Future studies can include intervention for daily recommended intake of dairies. Funding Sources Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

PSI-8 Impact of protein or chloride source on Boer goat carcass characteristics

With a growing goat population in the United States comes a greater emphasis on understanding the role of inexpensive or alternative ingredients in goat diets. However limited data is available on how these ingredients impact goat carcass composition. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of protein or chloride source on Boer goat carcass characteristics. Growing goats were fed 1 of 5 isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets for 42 d prior to slaughter in a completely randomized design. Diets included the following as their protein and primary chloride source: 1) soybean meal (SBM) with ammonium chloride (AmCl); 2) dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) with AmCl; 3) SoyPlus (Dairy Nutrition Plus, Ames, IA) with AmCl; 4) SBM with SoyChlor (Dairy Nutrition Plus, Ames, IA); and 5) SoyPlus with SoyChlor. Fifty goats (10 per treatment) were slaughtered in a USDA-inspected facility (Paradise Locker Meats, Trimble, MO), with carcass data collected initially (HCW) or after a 24-h chill. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure on SAS, with goat as the experimental unit. Differences in final body weight were not detected among dietary treatments (P = 0.284), nor were there differences in hot carcass weight or carcass yield (P > 0.05). Goats fed diets with SBM, regardless of chloride source, had greater (P < 0.05) loin eye area than those fed diets with SoyPlus and SoyChlor. There was no detected impact (P > 0.05) of dietary treatment on goat backfat depth or body wall thickness. In summary, the ingredients tested had limited impact on yield or fat proportion in goats when calorie and crude protein levels were held constant. However, goats fed SBM-based diets had greater loin eye area than those fed SoyPlus and SoyChlor.

Dairy Sector Paves the Way to Inclusive Growth and Nutrition in Emerging Markets

This manuscript is an opinion editorial, which summarizes the presentation given at the Dairy Nutrition: An Engine for Economic Growth conference.

Conference Proceedings: Dairy Nutrition, An Engine for Economic Growth

The U.S. Dairy Export Council’s Dairy for Global Nutrition Initiative hosted a conference titled, “Dairy Nutrition: An Engine for Economic Growth,” held on May 10 to 11, 2017, at the Boise Center in Boise, Idaho. Speakers explored the role of dairy products in mitigating malnutrition, stimulating local economies, and promoting better health, globally.