Replacement of corn silage with cassava foliage silage in the diet of lactating dairy cows: milk composition and economic evaluation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of corn silage (CS) replacement by cassava's foliage silage (CFS) on the production and quality of milk. Twelve lactating dairy cows were used in a randomized block experimental design with four treatments and three repetitions per block. CS was replaced by CFS at the levels of 0, 20, 40, and 60%. The replacement of CS by different levels of CFS had very low effect on the variables studied. Milk density decreased when the replacement level was increased. Fatty acids 4:0 and 6:0 presented a quadratic behavior, while fat acids 8:0, 10:0, and 15:0 presented a linear behavior as their concentrations fell when CFS diet content was increased. The CS replacement by 20% until 60% CFS resulted a significant decrease in the feeding costs. The results suggested that CFS was a good replacement of CS for dairy cows.