Effects of feeding ground versus pelleted total mixed ration on digestion, rumen function and milk production performance of dairy cows

This study evaluated the effects of feeding ground (G) versus pelleted (P) total mixed ration (PTMR) on digestibility and milk production performance of mid-lactation dairy cows over a 42-days period. Results showed that, compared to GTMR, feeding PTMR increased dry matter intake and digestibility, ruminal propionate proportions and milk protein percentage, but decreased acetate-to-propionate ratio, milk fat percentage and aldehydes, acids, alcohols, and aromatic hydrocarbon proportions in milk. The PTMR did not improve milk yield but accelerated live weight recovery of cows and led to acidosis risk in lactating cows due to negative effects on rumen fermentation.