Evaluation of Dried Whey in Concentrate Mixtures for Lactating Dairy Cows

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Abstract
Five percent dried whole whey (trial 1) or dried whey product (trial 2) was added to the concentrate mixtures fed to lactating cows. In trial 1, 10 cows/group in late lactation were fed in group either control or dried whole whey ration for 13 wk. In trial 2, 5 cows/group in early to mid-lactation were fed individually either control or dried whey product ration for 12 wk. Corn silage and alfalfa hay were offered ad lib while concentrates were fed at 1 kg/3 kg milk produced in both trials. Milk yields for cows fed control or dried whey were (trial 1) 17.2 and 16.1 kg/day, (trial 2) 23.9 and 23.7 kg/day. Milk fat percentage was highest for cows fed dried whey in both trials (trial 1, 4.66 and 4.76; trial 2, 3.33 and 3.62). Rumen volatile fatty acids (trial 2) were not influenced greatly by ration although propionate was lower and butyrate slightly higher in cows fed dried whey.