Effect of dry beet pulp on milk yield and milk composition in Chilean Holstein cows

The objective was to analyze the effect of feeding dry molassed beet pulp (DMBP) on milk yield and milk composition in Holstein cows located in central Chile. Cows with similar days in milk, parity number, and management were randomly allocated in a control (n = 71) and a treatment (n = 74) group. The control group was fed the conventional diet of the farm, which is representative of diets commonly used in similar dairies in that geographic area. The treatment group received an isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet considering DMBP as a differential ingredient. Milk yield was recorded during a 45-day period and milk components were determined on day 0, 15, 22, and 35 of the study. The effect of the interaction between treatment and time on milk yield was highly significant with a difference of 3.4 kg/day in favor of the treatment group. No significant differences were detected for milk components between the two groups.