Effect of feeding ensiled mixed tomato and apple pomace on performance of Holstein dairy cows

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of replacing alfalfa hay with ensiled mixed tomato and apple pomace (EMTAP) on performance of Holstein dairy cows. Six multiparous dairy cows in mid lactation were used in 3 × 3 Latin square design and fed alfalfa hay plus concentrate mixture with three levels of replacement with EMTAP (0, 15, 30%) for 63 days. The results showed that there were no significant differences between diets on milk composition percentage, but differences in milk production, DM intake, feed efficiency (FE) and some nutrient digestibility was significant (P<0.05) between diets. It was concluded that the nutritional value of tomato and apple pomace improved when used together (with ratio of 50:50), also EMTAP can be substituted efficiently up to 30% of diet without any adverse effect on performance of dairy cows.