Partial Replacement of Oat Hay with Whole-Plant Hydroponic Barley Seedlings Modulates Ruminal Microbiota and Affects Growth Performance of Holstein Heifers.

ABSTRACT: The dairy industry is facing challenges in balancing forage supply and crop production. Therefore, forage supply based on a farm land-saving approach should be developed to overcome the human−livestock competition on farmland. The objective of this study was to learn the potential impact of partially replacing oat hay with whole-plant hydroponic barley seedlings (HBS) produced via a land-saving hydroponic method on growth performance, digestibility, and rumen microbiota in Holstein dairy heifers. In total, 39 Holstein heifers were randomly divided into 13 blocks based on age and body weight for an 8-week experimental period. The heifers within each block were randomly allocated to one of three diets group: (1) 0% HBS and 16% oat hay (CON); (2) 4% HBS and 12% oat hay (25% HBS); and (3) 8% H

SUBMITTER: Ren P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9608837 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature