Performance and ruminal fermentation of dairy cows fed whole cottonseed with elevated concentrations of free fatty acids in the oil

Twenty- four lactating Holstein cows were used in an 8- wk completely randomized design trial to examine the effects of feeding whole cottonseed ( WCS) with elevated concentrations of free fatty acids ( FFA) in the oil on intake and performance. Treatments included WCS with normal concentrations of FFA ( 6.8%, control) and 2 sources of WCS with elevated FFA [ HFFA1 ( 24.1%) or HFFA2 ( 22.3%)]. The 2 sources of WCS with elevated FFA differed in that HFFA2 were discolored from being initially stored with excess moisture, which led to heating and deterioration during storage, whereas HFFA1 were normal in appearance and the increase in FFA occurred without heating and visible damage to the WCS. Nutrient concentrations were similar among WCS treatments, which provided 14% of the total dietary dry matter. Dry matter intake tended to be higher for cows fed HFFA2 compared with control and HFFA1. Yield of milk and components was similar among treatments, but milk fat percentage was lower for HFFA1 and HFFA2 compared with control. In a concurrent 3 x 3 Latin square trial with 6 ruminally canulated Holstein cows, molar proportions of isobutyrate were higher for HFFA2 than control and HFFA1, but no differences were observed in acetate or propionate. Results of these trials indicate that feeding WCS with high concentrations of FFA decreases milk fat percentage but does not alter dry matter intake, milk yield, or concentrations of other components. The minor changes in ruminal fermentation that were observed do not account for the decrease in milk fat percentage.