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Matching Livestock Systems with Available Resources |
MEKARN Regional Conference 2007 |
Four crossbred Holstein Frisian (75% HF blood, 553 to 578 kg) cows in midlactation 90d in milk were used to determine the effect of replacement of soybean with mulberry leaves in diets on milk yield and quality. Cows were assigned to diets in a Latin square design with 2 weeks experimental periods. Diets were formulated to provide 4 concentrations of dietary substitution of soybean meal with mulberry leaves at 0, 33, 66, and 100% (Crude protein basis).
Dry matter, metabolism energy and crude protein intake were not affected by substituting mulberry for soybean meal. Replacing the mulberry for soybean meal in diets for dairy cows did not affect milk yield or quality.
Mulberry may be used in concentrates to decrease feeding costs and the needs for soybean meal.