Massey Trials

MORE MILK PRODUCED BY MOLASSES FED COWS!

An independent study run by Jennifer Burke at Massey University has shown that feeding molasses improved milk solid production and lifted the magnesium status of molasses supplemented, spring calved dairy cows.

METHOD

• Feedgrade molasses was offered to 34 cows at 500 g/cow/day for the first 120 days of lactation
• The control group didn’t receive any molasses
• Cows were grazed and fed together for the duration of the study

HOW MANY MILK SOLIDS (MS) WERE PRODUCED?

Molasses fed cows produced 8.2% more milk/cow (2555 litres v 2361 litres) and 3.6% more solids/cow (203.6 kg MS v 196.6 kg MS) over the 120 day trial period.

More milk solids from molasses fed cows may reflect an improved dry matter intake or better utilisation of other feeds in the diet as a result of extra energy provided to the rumen microbes by the molasses.

DID MOLASSES PREVENT METABOLIC DISEASE?

In the same study serum magnesium levels were measured and noted to be significantly higher in cows that were fed molasses post-calving. Elevated serum magnesium levels can help prevent metabolic disease. E.g. Milk fever and grass tetany. Other studies have confirmed improved uptake of magnesium from the rumen in the presence of feeds containing sugar and starch.

Massey University 2003