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The effect of feeding whole cracked rapeseed and vitamin E on dairy cow performance and milk fat composition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

R.J. Mansbridge
Affiliation:
ADAS Bridgets, Martyr Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1AP, U.K.
C.A. Collins
Affiliation:
ADAS Bridgets, Martyr Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1AP, U.K.
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Extract

Current thinking suggests that the saturated fatty acids myristic (C14:0) and palmitic (C16:0) are major risk factors in cardiovascular disease compared to longer chain fatty acids such as stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1). Milk fat is rich in C14:0 and C16:0 because these fatty acids can be manufactured in the bovine mammary gland from glycerol and free fatty acids. Rapeseed oil is a rich source of oleic acid, and feeding whole rapeseed to dairy cows has been shown to increase the C18:1 content of milk fat (Murphy et al, 1995). However, increasing the unsaturated fat content of milk has led to suggestions that oxidative stability may be effected. Feeding high levels of a natural antioxidant such as vitamin E may enhance milk stability and improve its' nutritive value. This study investigated the effect of feeding various amounts of whole cracked rapeseed and vitamin E on animal performance, and the levels of fatty acids and vitamin E in milk fat.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2000

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References

AFRC, 1993. Energy and protein requirements of ruminants. CAB International, Wallingford, Oxon, England.Google Scholar
Murphy, J.J., Connolly, J.F. and McNeill, G.P., 1995. Effect on milk fat composition and cow performance of feeding concentrates containing full fat rapeseed and maize distillers grains on grass silage based diets. Livestock Production Science 44: 111.Google Scholar