책임운영기관 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 (로고)

The objective of this study was to investigate the comparison of feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) containing imported alfalfa hay and TMR containing hot-air dried domestic alfalfa on rumination activity, milk production, and composition in lactating dairy cows. Ten Holstein dairy cows were divided into two groups: control (imported alfalfa hay + TMR) and treatment (hot-air dried domestic alfalfa + TMR) groups. The study was conducted over a total period of 18 days, including a 13-days adaptation period and a 5-days main experimental period. The results indicated no differences in total digestible nutrient and net energy intake between the imported and hot-air dried alfalfa. Body weight was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, total feed intake and rumination time were significantly and tendentially higher in the treatment group compared with control group, respectively (p<0.001; p=0.075). Milk yield was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, milk fat (kg) and lactose (%) concentration were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with control group (p=0.016; p=0.02). This study confirms that feeding TMR with hot-air dried domestic alfalfa results in no differences of feed intake, rumination activity, and milk productivity. Therefore, it is considered that hot-air dried domestic alfalfa can be used as a substitute for imported alfalfa on lactating dairy cows.