| The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the manner in which diet is supplied and spineless cactus forage is processed on intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition, concentration of plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) in the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and production of microbial protein in Holstein cows in lactation. Eight cows (453 ± 75.8 kg) yielding 14 kg milk/day were allotted to a factorial design, with two manners of cactus processing (knife-chopped or forage machine) and two diet supplies (separate concentrate or total mixed ration). Intakes of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients were lower when cactus was knife-chopped. Digestibility, milk production and fat and protein yield did... |
