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Polyethylene as Roughage Substitute in Rations for Dairy Cattle¹

Oklahoma State University³, Stillwater 74074

Abstract

The effects of adding inert polyethylene material to the ration for lactating dairy cows were evaluated in an 8-week trial. Under the conditions of this trial, the polyethylene was not an effective substitute for natural roughage in terms of maintaining a rumen fermentation pattern commensurate with desired milk fat percentage. There was no effect on total milk yield. The incidence of feed refusals was lower in the groups fed polyethylene than in the group fed none. There was a progressive decline in the amount of polyethylene retained in the rumen of fistulated animals fed a ration containing 10% alfalfa hay.

¹ Journal article 2098 of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. This research was supported in part by a grant from Farmland Industries, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri.

² Present address: Facultad de Agronomia, Palmira, Colombia.

³ Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.