Effect of feeding varying levels of Amaferm (culture of Aspergillus oryzae) on performance of dairy cows

Abstract

Amaferm, a fermentation extract of Aspergilluz oryzae, was fed as a top dressing to dairy cows at 0, 1.5, 3, 6g/d. in two lactation trials. Trial I, conducted during winter-spring, 1989, for 80d, used forty cows in early lactation. Trial II, with twenty-four mid-lactation cows, received similar treatments for 60d in the summer of 1989. Measurements for both trials included milk yield, feed intake, body weight and rectal temperature. Respiration rates were determined for trial II and digestion coefficients for CP, NDF and DM were determined using Cr2O3 as a digesta marker for trial I. In trial I, cows fed 1.5g and 3g Amaferm/d had a higher DMI (P < .06) than cows receiving 0 or 6g Amaferm/d. Respiration rates were significantly higher (P < .05) for 3g Amaferm/d cows. Other parameters were not affected by treatment. These results contrasted previous studies in which 3g Amaferm/d stimulated milk production.