The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of a total mixed ration silage containing two babassu by-products, starchy flour and babassu cake. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomised design containing four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of corn silage, corn silage based on the standard corn and soybean diet, corn silage with babassu flour, and corn silage with babassu cake. No significant difference was observed in the pH values (p = 0.256) for the studied silages. Higher values for dry matter recovery were observed for the silages of the total diets. The corn silage presented lower lactic acid production (55.15 g/kg DM) and acetic acid (11.54 g/kg DM) in relation to the total ration silages. The inclusion of babassu by-products increased the dry matter (p < 0.001), crude protein (p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrient content (p < 0.001) in the total ration silages. Silage in the form of the total ration containing regional babassu by-products improved the fermentative profile of the silages and the nutritional value of the diets, endowing them with potential for use as a feed alternative for dairy cattle.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to assess the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, and digestibility of a total mixed ration silage incorporating two babassu by-products, starchy flour and babassu cake. The treatments included corn silage, corn silage based on a standard corn and soybean diet, corn silage with babassu flour, and corn silage with babassu cake. The inclusion of babassu by-products resulted in increased dry matter, crude protein, and total digestible nutrient content in the total ration silages. Silage containing regional babassu by-products showed improved fermentation profile and nutritional value, indicating its potential as an alternative feed for dairy cattle.