Effect of feeding tallow on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in cows

During early lactation cows are often in negative energy balance for first 8 to 12 weeks because energy intake is insufficient to meet the energy requirement. To overcome this negative energy balance, energy density of the diet is to be increased with excessive grain feeding, however, this often causes undesirable ruminal fermentation and depresses milk fat synthesis, whereas, supplemental fat tends to increase nutrient digestibility without causing negative impact on rumen fermentation associated with grain feeding (Abdullah et al. 2001). The aim of his study was to determine the effect of feeding different levels of tallow on nutrient intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and blood metabolites in lactating Sahiwal cows.