Fodder beans and peas in the diet of dairy cows
¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Liela iela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
²Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Priekuli Research Centre, Zinatnes iela 2, LV-4130 Priekuli, Priekulu parish, Priekulu district, Latvia
*Correspondence: aiga.trupa@llu.lv
Abstract:
The Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows were grouped into four treatments groups according to the analogue principle (n = 4 × 5). Lactating dairy cows were included in the trial in the initial lactation phase with the average milk yield of 23.00 kg per day, fat content 4.10% and 3.20% protein content in milk. The analyses of the chemical composition of legume grains show, that crude protein and undegraded intake protein (UIP) were higher in fodder beans than in peas, respectively 29.97% and 25.04% of dry matter but UIP content, respectively 40.51% and 39.69% of crude protein. There was a total of 17 amino acids detected in legume grains and soybean meal. The highest concentration of arginine, leucine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and isoleucine was in fodder beans, respectively 0.76%, 0.58%, 0.67%, 0.42% and 0.29% more than in peas. Even though the daily milk yields decreased for all the cow groups during the experiment, which was normal during the lactation period, yet the milk yield decreases for the trial groups. The highest total amount of amino acids in milk was detected in 3rd and 2nd trial cow groups, respectively, 4.00 g kg-1 and 3.90 g kg-1 which was fed fodder beans and peas. The milk sale and feed cost summary records for the trial that lasted 90 days show that economic efficiency of peas plus beans has been positive.
Key words:
amino acids, cost, dairy cows, feed values, fodder beans, milk., peas