Growth performance and blood parameters of dairy cows subjected to grazing and to a supplementary diet of bean residues

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplement bean residue on growth performance and blood parameters of dairy cows grazing. Eight crossbred cows weighing 500 kg were analyzed, distributed in 4×4 double Latin square, and fed with 134, 240, 348, and 449 g kg^‑1 of a supplementary diet of bean waste in the concentrated feed. The animals received the supplementation after milking in the morning and in the afternoon. The inclusion of bean residues did not change average body weights and body scores; however, it reduced the milk production. Fat, protein, lactose, and total solid contents (g kg^‑1) were not changed by bean waste inclusion. Blood glycose and cholesterol did not change before the offering of the concentrated feed diet, nor after four to six hours of feeding this diet. The inclusion of bean residues in the concentrated feed of dairy cows subjected to grazing, with a daily average production of 13 kg, reduces milk production. However, the use of these residues has little effect on milk composition and blood parameters.