Moallem U, Shpirer J, Livshits L, Alon T, Shaani Y, Kamer H, Portnik Y, Leibovich H
Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Institute, 68 HaMaccabim Road, P.O.B 15159, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Sciences, The Volcani Institute, 68 HaMaccabim Road, P.O.B 15159, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
Animal. 2025 Aug;19(8):101598. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101598. Epub 2025 Jul 9.
The sprouted system is the process of growing grains hydroponically in trays. Recently, there has been interest in using sprouted grains as feed for ruminants. The objective of this study was to determine how including sprouted barley in dairy cow rations affects performance, nutrient digestibility, and efficiency. Forty-two mid-lactation Israeli Holstein dairy cows were divided into two treatment groups (n = 21) and fed for 12 weeks: (1) Control (CTL) - a typical milking cow ration contained 38.9% forage (DM basis) and (2) Sprouted Barley (SB) - a diet contained 33.7% forage, and 11.5% (DM basis) SB. Diets were fed as a total mixed ration. Milk yields and BW were recorded daily, and milk samples were taken for milk solid concentration. Rumen and faecal samples were taken for volatile fatty acid and digestibility measurements, respectively, and blood samples were taken for blood metabolite analysis. Milk yield was 4.1% higher (45.7 and 43.9 kg/d, respectively; P < 0.001) in the SB cows. Milk fat concentrations and yields were lower in the SB cows than in the CTL cows (3.82 and 4.10%, P < 0.001, and 1.69 and 1.77 kg/d, P = 0.04, respectively). Milk protein concentration was higher in the SB cows with no difference in protein yield, and the milk urea nitrogen was 17.0% lower in the SB cows (P < 0.001). The 4% fat-corrected and energy-corrected milk yields did not differ between treatments, and the DM intake (DMI) tended to be higher in the CTL (P = 0.08). The milk-to-DMI ratio was 6.3% higher in the SB cows (P < 0.001), with no differences in other efficiency calculations. The rumen ammonia concentration was 21% lower in the SB cows (P = 0.006), and rumen acetate, propionate, and total volatile fatty acids were higher in the CTL cows. Apparent total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, and CP was higher in the SB cows (P = 0.003) and tended to be higher for NDF (P = 0.10). Lower blood levels in triglycerides, urea, and cholesterol were observed in the SB cows (P = 0.04). In summary, sprouted barley is a potential feedstuff; however, further research is needed to determine an accurate nutritional value of sprouted barley and to fine-tune the optimal amount in the high-yielding dairy cow ration. This essential knowledge is required to reliably determine the economic viability of using sprouts in ruminants' nutrition.
发芽系统是指在托盘水培谷物的过程。最近，人们对将发芽谷物用作反刍动物饲料产生了兴趣。本研究的目的是确定在奶牛日粮中添加发芽大麦如何影响其生产性能、养分消化率和效率。42头处于泌乳中期的以色列荷斯坦奶牛被分为两个处理组（每组n = 21头），并进行12周的饲养：（1）对照组（CTL）——典型的奶牛日粮，含38.9%的粗饲料（干物质基础）；（2）发芽大麦组（SB）——日粮含33.7%的粗饲料和11.5%（干物质基础）的发芽大麦。日粮以全混合日粮的形式投喂。每天记录产奶量和体重，并采集牛奶样本测定乳固体浓度。分别采集瘤胃和粪便样本测定挥发性脂肪酸和消化率，采集血液样本进行血液代谢物分析。SB组奶牛的产奶量高出4.1%（分别为45.7和43.9千克/天；P < 0.001）。SB组奶牛的乳脂浓度和产量低于CTL组奶牛（分别为3.82%和4.10%，P < 0.001；以及1.69和1.77千克/天，P = 0.04）。SB组奶牛的乳蛋白浓度较高，蛋白产量无差异，且SB组奶牛的乳尿素氮低17.0%（P < 0.001）。处理组间4%脂肪校正乳产量和能量校正乳产量无差异，CTL组的干物质摄入量（DMI）有升高趋势（P = 0.08）。SB组奶牛的乳干物质摄入量比为6.3%（P < 0.001），其他效率计算结果无差异。SB组奶牛的瘤胃氨浓度低21%（P = 0.006），CTL组奶牛的瘤胃乙酸、丙酸和总挥发性脂肪酸含量较高。SB组奶牛的干物质、有机物和粗蛋白的表观全肠道消化率较高（P = 0.003），中性洗涤纤维的消化率有升高趋势（P = 0.10）。SB组奶牛的血液甘油三酯、尿素和胆固醇水平较低（P = 0.04）。总之，发芽大麦是一种潜在的饲料原料；然而，需要进一步研究以确定发芽大麦的准确营养价值，并微调高产奶牛日粮中的最佳添加量。需要这些关键知识来可靠地确定在反刍动物营养中使用发芽谷物的经济可行性。
