Effect of Feeding Different Roughage Levels and Sodium Acetate in High-Grain Rations on Milk Production, Milk Constituents, and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acids

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Abstract
Two trials, 19 animals in Trial 1 and 12 in Trial 2, were conducted. Treatments in Trial 1 were: (1) 10 lb of pineapple bran plus concentrate, (2) Treatment 1 with 2.9% sodium acetate in concentrate, (3) 12 lb of pineapple bran, 50 lb of chopped Napier grass and concentrate. Treatments in Trial 2 were: (1) 10 lb pineapple bran plus concentrate, (2) Treatment 1 with 2.83% sodium acetate in concentrate, (3) Treatment 1 with 5.66% sodium acetate in concentrate. Data from cows in Trial 1 on Treatment 1, 2 and 3, respectively, were: 4% FCM 35.35a, 37.13a, and 39.74a lb; butterfat 2.79a, 2.94a, and 3.79b%; total solids 11.05a, 11.10a and 12.44b%; SNF 8.22a, 8.16a and 8.45b%. In Trial 2 the value for Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were: 4% FCM 30.30a, 32.85b, and 34.17C lb; butterfat 3.42a, 3.96b, and 4.18b%; total solids 11.94a, 12.49b[degree], and 12.63b%; SNF 8.50a, 8.50a, and 8.43a%. Values in the same category with different superscripts are significantly different by Duncan''s multiple range test. Rumen fluid from cows on Treatment 3 in Trial 1 contained significantly more acetic and less propionic acid than from cows on Treatment 1.