The Use of Sugarcane Stalk for Feeding Lactating Cows

The use of chopped sugarcane stalk (CSS) as a roughage for lactating cows was examined using four Holstein crossbred cows in a private dairy farm in Khon Kaen, Thailand, in comparison with rice straw (RS), which is the conventional roughage in the dry season in the region. Cows were subjected to the following two dietary treatments: Diet 1) RS with commercial concentrate feed, and Diet 2) CSS and RS with commercial concentrate feed. The diet was switched over every 3 weeks. The amount of concentrate was determined by the experience of the owner of the cows. RS and CSS were given ad libitum. There was no difference in milk production between two groups, although the total DMI was less in cows fed CSS. Solid-not-fat (SNF) content in milk was significantly higher in the cows given CSS. The NEFA content was significantly lower in the animals given CSS, which suggested that cows given only RS as roughage would be suffering from energy malnutrition. Therefore, it was considered that CSS feeding improved energy supply, which resulted in higher SNF in milk. In the nutritional point of view, the present study clearly showed CSS can be used as a roughage for dairy cows in the dry season.