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The Effect of Valeric Acid and a Combination of Valeric and Iso-Valeric Acids on the Performance of Milking Cows¹

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Abstract

Fifteen lactating dairy cows were used in a Latin square design to evaluate the effect of valeric and iso-valeric acids on the performance of milking cows. A good quality first cutting alfalfa hay and corn silage were used as sources of roughage.

The feeding of valeric acid alone or in combination with iso-valeric acid did not have any significant effect on milk production, body weight, butter-fat percentage of milk, or the consumption of feed.

Digestion and nitrogen balance trials with dry cows showed that valeric acid alone increased the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract. Valeric acid alone or in combination with iso-valeric acid decreased the amount of nitrogen excreted in the urine and increased total retention of nitrogen as well as percent nitrogen retained of the intake.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 2130.