Molasses as an Alternative Energy Feed Source for Organic Dairies

Molasses as an Alternative Energy Feed Source for Organic Dairies

Summary

The grazing aspect of the project began in June 2010 and ended in September 2010, with 20 lactating cows from the Burley-Demeritt Organic Dairy Research Farm of the University of New Hampshire. Pasture dry matter and intake data were collected weekly and compiled monthly with the coordination of researchers from USDA-ARS in Pennsylvania, Burley-Demeritt farm management and staff, as well as the advising faculty and students of the University of New Hampshire. Research protocols were implemented as feed and milk samples were collected, processed and submitted for analysis to Dairy One Forage Testing Laboratory and Dairy One Cooperative, respectively. Blood and urine samples were collected, processed and stored at the Dairy Nutrition Research Center at the University of New Hampshire until analyses are performed.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objective 1: Evaluate the impact of molasses vs. corn meal supplementation on enhancing milk production, milk components, and microbial protein synthesis while reducing N output to the environment in pasture-based systems
Data is currently in review for milk production and components, pending statistical analysis
Data for microbial protein synthesis is currently pending laboratory analyses

Objective 2: Evaluate the impact of molasses vs. corn meal supplementation on enhancing farm profitability
Income Over Feed Cost report is pending a review of the data and compilation of financial reports

Accomplishments/Milestones

June was the beginning of the grazing trial, and proved to be a challenging month. Pasture rotations had to be re-evaluated, farm staff and research scientists had to establish better communications, and the weather did not provide nearly enough rain for desirable pasture growth. After the week of data collection, a plan was formulated to ensure a smoother collaboration for the following months.

July was not going to be included in the grazing trial originally, since the researchers from Penn State and Dr. Brito, the principal investigator, were to be at a conference during the intended week of data collection. The graduate student was able to coordinate the efforts of other graduate and undergraduate students to assist in the collections, making July a successful month with useful data to add to the project.

August was another successful month of data collection and teamwork. The farm staff and researchers were able to keep things on schedule and collect all samples needed as indicated in protocols. The weather proved to be especially hot, forcing turnout schedules to be changed. There were several days when cows were kept in to stay cool, which is not desirable for the nature of the research, as it intended to measure effects of supplementation for grazing animals. Fortunately, the weather cooled off enough for regular turnout to resume before the data collection began.

September proved to be a challenging month, as rain had been scarce all season, and the pastures were not providing the nutrients expected due to drought conditions. The week of data collections was also challenging, due to the start of classes that kept many of the students busy and unable to assist. However, the farm staff and group of researchers were able to once again collaborate and finish the season with a successful week of collecting and processing samples.

Throughout the season, fresh pasture and baleage samples were dried and measured for dry matter content. Samples were then submitted for a complete nutrient analysis, to be included as a portion of the final presentation. Work remaining includes assays for urea concentrations in urine and blood plasma, as well as financial reports to indicate the income over feed cost. Statistical analysis also remains to be done, pending the completion of laboratory procedures and data output.

The grazing season and data collections progressed mostly according to plans, disregarding weather and human complications. There were no major setbacks in the project, and the collections were completed as needed for accurate statistical comparison. Pasture rotation had to be revised as the weather changed in order to allow enough feed for the grazing animals. One animal on the project had to be culled from the herd as a result of an unknown health ailment, resulting in 19 animals on study. This will result in missing data when compiling, but does not cause any serious issues with data integrity.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project resulted in preliminary data that suggests molasses is a viable alternative energy feed for lactating dairy cattle. Although milk production is higher with a pelleted complete feed added to a grazing diet, this is more costly. Some producers desire a lower input method of feeding animals during the grazing season. Supplementing with molasses may offer the results these producers are looking for. It should also be noted that these animals were grazed using management-intensive grazing rotation, which allows optimal nutrition from grazing on fresh pasture grasses every 12-24 hours. The expected outcomes of a producer implementing a system similar to the one used in this research project are higher pasture yields due to improved soil health and fertility as a result of longer rest periods, reduced nitrogen output into the environment by providing balanced nutrition to allow the animal to properly convert ammonia to urea, and increased milk production due to adequate provision of energy to compensate for the dual demands of milk production and metabolism. Results from this study are intended for publication in the NOFA-NH quarterly newsletter and the NODPA newsletter, as well as future submission to the Journal of Dairy Science.

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