The Effect of Some Vegetable Oils Added to Dairy Calf Rations on In Vitro Feed Value and Enteric Methane Production

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the addition of Safflower, Sunflower and Corn vegetable oils to dairy cattle rations on in vitro gas and methane production, true dry matter (TDMD), organic matter (TOMD) and NDF (TNDFD) digestibilities values and microbial protein (MP) production. Dairy cattle TMR ration consisting of milk feed, corn silage, alfalfa hay and meadow hay was prepared as the control group, and the experimental groups were prepared with the addition of safflower, sunflower and corn vegetable oils at the level of 3% in each of the control groups, respectively. Vegetable oils added to the diet significantly affected in vitro gas production and organic matter digestibility (OMD). Methane (ml) production values in the experimental groups varied between 10.00 and 10.71 ml. The Metabolic energy (ME) and OMD values of the control and experimental groups varied between 7.00 and 7.29 MJ/kg DM and between 53.78 and 51.20. TDMD values of the rations were determined between 48.49 and 52.63%. While the control group had the highest TDMD value, the ration containing safflower oil had the lowest TDMD value. TNDFS values of the rations varied between 67.26 and 68.80%. As a result; Since the vegetable oils added to the ration increase the net energy lactation (NE L ) content of the ration, it can be said that it used to meet the energy needs of high milk yielding cattle in the lactation period, provided that they do not exceed the upper limits specified in the literature.