• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.395-400
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• 1993

Four sheep per treatment were fed either control or 3% calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) in a total mixed ration (TMR). Feed and free water intakes were not different, but digestibilities of crude protein and crude fiber were lower (p<0.05) and that of crude fat was higher (p<0.05) for sheep fed Ca-LCFA than for control sheep. Dry matter digestibility, ruminal pH and microbial protein yield were not different between treatments and ammonia-N concentration in the rumen was higher for sheep fed Ca-LCFA than for control sheep. A 60-day milk production trial was conducted with thirty lactation Holstein cows. Fifteen cows per treatment were fed TMR containing either control or 3% Ca-LCFA ad libitum. Feed intake was not different between treatments, but milk yield was significantly higher (p<0.05) for cows fed Ca-LCFA than for control cows. Milk fat percentage was slightly higher and milk protein was lower for cows fed Ca-LCFA than for control cows. Lactose and total solid contents in milk were not different between treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2000

Forty-two Holstein cows (21 multiparous) were assigned by calving date and parity to three dietary sequences to evaluate the effect of time of initiating fat supplementation to diets on lactation and reproductive performance. The dietary sequences were: 1) control, no supplemental fat from 1 to 98 days in milk (DIM) ; 2) control diet from 1 to 28 DIM then 3% supplemental fat (calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids) from 29 to 98 DIM; or 3) 3% supplemental fat from 1 to 98 DIM. Feeding supplemental fat did not enhance mean milk and 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yields, but efficiency of FCM production was higher for cows fed supplemental fat. Milk fat percentage was unchanged whereas milk protein percentage was depressed with fat supplementation. Feeding supplemental fat reduced DMI and energy balance but there were no differences among treatments on time to resumption of ovarian cyclicity or conception rate to first service. Concentrations of progesterone during the first two ovulatory cycles tended to be greater in the fat-supplemented groups. Feeding supplemental fat starting at either parturition or 29 DIM increased efficiency of FCM production, but did not greatly enhance reproductive performance.