<b>Evaluation of tools used in the formulation of total mixed rations for lactating dairy cows</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i2.1872

Abstract

This study evaluated the tools usually used in the balancing of diets (laboratorial analyses of the diet and milk, measurement of the dry matter intake - DMI, evaluation of the particles size and the analysis of milk urea nitrogen - MUN). The results of these tools were correlated with the components secreted in the milk of the animals. For this, data of 650 lactating Holsteins cows were collected. The monthly averages of the composition of the milk were taken (MUN, fat and protein), as well as the DMI, the theoretical and chemical composition and the particles sizes of the diet. The results demonstrated that the measurement of the daily DMI is not a necessary practice, and that the analysis of the particle size is interesting for the check of the DMI and MUN. It was also verified that the analyses of milk can supply given important on the nutricional evaluation being of end aid for the nutritionist.