Fibrolytic enzyme supplements for dairy cows in early lactation

Twenty multiparous lactating Holstein cows in early lactation were used to investigate effects of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme supplementation on dry m atter intake, milk production, and digestibility. Cows were blocked accordi ng to parity, expected calving date, and milk yield in the previous lactati on, and then randomly assigned after calving to two treatments: control or enzyme. The enzyme mixture, which contained mainly xylanase and cellulase a ctivities (Pro-Mote(R), Biovance Technol. Inc., Omaha, NE), was added to th e concentrate to supply 1.3 g/kg of total mixed ration (dry matter basis). The total mixed rations contained 24% corn silage, 15% alfalfa hay, and 61% barley concentrate (dry matter basis) and were offered for ad libitum inta ke. Enzyme addition did not affect dry matter intake. However, total digest ibility of nutrients, determined using Cr2O3, was dramatically increased by enzyme treatment (dry matter, 61.7 vs. 69.1%; neutral detergent fiber, 42. 5 vs. 51.0%; acid detergent fiber, 31.7 vs. 41.9%; crude protein, 61.7 vs. 69.8%). Consequently, milk yield tended to increase (35.9 vs. 39.5 kg/d). P ercentage of milk fat was lower, and percentages of milk protein tended to be lower for cows fed a diet supplemented with enzymes, such that component yields were similar for cows fed either diet. Energy deficiency was numeri cally lower for cows fed a diet supplemented with enzymes than for cows fed the control diet (-3.62 vs. -3.33 Mcal/d). Supplementing dairy cow diets w ith a fibrolytic enzyme mixture has the potential to enhance milk yield and nutrient digestibility of cows in early lactation without changing feed in take.