At 3/2/2005 11:08 PM, Dave Johnson wrote:
>Anyone have experience is using molasses as the sole energy source to
>balance the protein overload of milk cows on pasture? I understand that is
>better than corn because it is sugar, not starch based energy that will not
>offset rumen ph like a slug of grain. Any ideas on feeding up to 5 #/day?
>
>Dave Johnson
>Provident Farms
Hi Dave,
Actually, the sugars in molasses are quite soluble and even more rapidly
fermentable than the starch in grain. A huge slug of sugars can definitely
drive down the rumen pH, even faster than starch. However, molasses
contains more water than corn. And the saving grace here is that, in
practice, cows probably won't eat as much molasses (on a DM basis) as grain
and therefore won't expose the rumen to as much non-fiber carbohydrates
from the molasses as from the grain.
Best regards.
Woody
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Woody Lane, Ph.D. |
Lane Livestock Services | voice: 541-440-1926
240 Crystal Springs Lane | fax: 541-440-1007
Roseburg, OR 97470 | email: wlane@rosenet.net
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