Research

A recent study done at the University of Guelph demonstrated that adding molasses-based liquid feed to dry cow diets improves feed intake before calving, and stabilizes reticulorumen pH across the transition period.

Why feed molasses?

• Incidence of ketosis in early lactation is related to the degree of negative energy balance (NEB) experienced at that time
• How we feed cows in the weeks leading up to calving may play a significant role in the severity of NEB experienced after calving
• Controlled-energy dry cow diets are commonly fed, however, these diets are often high in straw which has low digestibility and is easily sorted
• Liquid molasses is highly palatable and known to encourage feed intake, while decreasing feed sorting

Research Questions
Does supplementing a high-straw dry cow diet with a molasses based liquid feed...

• Improve dry matter intake (DMI) pre-calving?
• Maintain dry matter intake post-calving?
• Improve rumen function?
• Discourage feed sorting?

University of Guelph Research Trial
Studied 40 Holstein dairy cows fed 1 of 2 dry cow diets, for a 6 week dry period:

Diets contained, on a DM basis: corn silage (C=41%, LF= 39%), wheat straw (C=36%, LF= 33%), and dry cow supplement (C=23%, LF= 22%).

In Summary, adding liquid molasses to a high straw dry cow diet:

• Improved DMI across the dry period
• Reduced feed sorting during the dry period
• Stabilized reticulorumen pH around the time of calving

For access to full article, view links below

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32278564

http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-18085

Havekes, C., T. F. Duffield, A. J. Carpenter, and T. J. DeVries. 2020. Impact of molasses-based liquid feed supplementation to a high-straw dry cow diet on feed intake, health, and performance of dairy cows across the transition period. J. Dairy Sci. 103:5070-5089. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-18085