Effects Of Distiller’s Grains And Cassava Pulp On Rumen Fermentation Characteristics In Vitro And Milk Performance Of Water Buffalo

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of distiller’s grains and cassava pulp on rumen fermentation characteristics in vitro and milk performance of water buffalo. To determine the appropriate proportion of substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains, the experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains on rumen fermentation characteristics and methanogenesis of buffalo using an in vitro gas production technique. To determine the appropriate proportion of substitution of grassiness or maize straw with cassava pulp, the experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of substitution of grassiness or maize straw with cassava pulp fermented by EM on rumen fermentation characteristics and methanogenesis of buffalo using an in vitro gas production technique. In order to determine the optimal combination of diet, the experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of combination of partial substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains, and partial substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp on rumen fermentation characteristics and methanogenesis of buffalo using an in vitro gas production technique. The availability of combination of substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains, and substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp was determined by animal breeding test.The results were as follows:1.The substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains at ratios of25to50%had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics;Compared with control, there was no significant differences in microbial protein, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyrate acid, total volatile fatty acids and methane production in rumen medium(P>0.05).2. When substitution of grassiness or maize straw with cassava pulp at ratios of25%or25to50%, the concentration of microbial protein and volatile fatty acids increased, and methane production was lower in medium. It had no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics and methanogenesis.3. According to all the gas production indexes and fermentation parameters, the better group was the substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains at ratios of25%, and substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp at ratios of25%. The second group was the substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains at ratios of50%, and substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp without fermenting at ratios of12.5%, but there was no significant differences between them.4. Sixteen healthy buffaloes in early lactation were selected and randomly divided into control group and treatment group (each for8) according to species, similar parity and milk yield. Feeding the control group diet, and the treatment group diet of substitution of soybean meal in the control group of concentrate with distiller’s grains at ratios of50%, and substitution of grassiness in the control group of roughage with cassava pulp at ratios of12.5%, respectively. Whole period of the experiment was56days. The results showed that there was no significant effect on milk yield and intake of lactating buffalo in the diet of substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains at ratios of50%, and substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp at ratios of12.5%(P>0.05), but it was significantly higher in milk protein rate, milk fat rate, milk total solid content, fat-free solid content and the fatty acids in milk fat (P<0.05), the nutrient quality of water milk was improved.In conclusion, there was no significant effect on rumen fermentation characteristics of buffalo in vitro, when the substitution of moderate soybean meal with distiller’s grains, and substitution of moderate grassiness or maize straw with cassava pulp. It was practical that the combination of substitution of soybean meal with distiller’s grains at ratios of50%, and substitution of grassiness with cassava pulp at ratios of12.5%in production practice for lactating buffalo.