Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility

Buffalo breeding in Italy is becoming increasingly economically attractive, with milk production in the Lazio region growing by 15% since 2004. However, the optimal physical characteristics of total mixed rations (TMR) have not been thoroughly investigated. This lack of research suggests the need fo...

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Main Authors: Chiara Evangelista, Francesca Petrocchi Jasinski, Loredana Basiricò, Giovanni Turriziani, Umberto Bernabucci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Italian Journal of Animal Science
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2024.2417714
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author Chiara Evangelista
Francesca Petrocchi Jasinski
Loredana Basiricò
Giovanni Turriziani
Umberto Bernabucci
author_facet Chiara Evangelista
Francesca Petrocchi Jasinski
Loredana Basiricò
Giovanni Turriziani
Umberto Bernabucci
author_sort Chiara Evangelista
collection DOAJ
description Buffalo breeding in Italy is becoming increasingly economically attractive, with milk production in the Lazio region growing by 15% since 2004. However, the optimal physical characteristics of total mixed rations (TMR) have not been thoroughly investigated. This lack of research suggests the need for greater attention to the physical characteristics of diet, which, combined with its chemical properties, may negatively impact milk yield (MY) and milk quality (MQ), as seen in dairy cows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of diet composition, with a particular focus on the physical component, on MY and MQ, and apparent digestibility (AD) of dairy buffaloes. The study was conducted on 10 dairy buffalo farms in Amaseno valley (Italy). Monthly samples of TMR, faeces, and bulk milk were collected over a 12-month period, alongside interviews with farmers to gather information on MY and diet composition. The results revealed a high variability in the physical-chemical composition of diets across farms, attributable to differences in feeding management practices. Both chemical and physical component were found to be associated with MY, MQ and AD changes. A ration poor in roughage and rich in concentrate negatively affected MQ showing lower milk fat, and higher somatic cells count and milk urea, while a greater presence of coarse particles and high fibre were associated with lower MY. Nevertheless, coarse particles and aNDF were positively associated with milk clotting parameters and aNDF digestibility. Our study emphasised the high importance of fibre for improving MQ of dairy buffaloes.
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spelling doaj-art-1c8b693c131f435fa491f8baf5f5fd4e2025-01-02T11:34:22ZengTaylor & Francis GroupItalian Journal of Animal Science1594-40771828-051X2024-12-012311535155010.1080/1828051X.2024.24177142417714Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibilityChiara Evangelista0Francesca Petrocchi Jasinski1Loredana Basiricò2Giovanni Turriziani3Umberto Bernabucci4Dipartimento per la Innovazione nei sistemi Biologici, Agroalimentari e Forestali (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della TusciaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della TusciaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della TusciaVeterinary FreelanceDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Forestali (DAFNE), Università degli Studi della TusciaBuffalo breeding in Italy is becoming increasingly economically attractive, with milk production in the Lazio region growing by 15% since 2004. However, the optimal physical characteristics of total mixed rations (TMR) have not been thoroughly investigated. This lack of research suggests the need for greater attention to the physical characteristics of diet, which, combined with its chemical properties, may negatively impact milk yield (MY) and milk quality (MQ), as seen in dairy cows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the effect of diet composition, with a particular focus on the physical component, on MY and MQ, and apparent digestibility (AD) of dairy buffaloes. The study was conducted on 10 dairy buffalo farms in Amaseno valley (Italy). Monthly samples of TMR, faeces, and bulk milk were collected over a 12-month period, alongside interviews with farmers to gather information on MY and diet composition. The results revealed a high variability in the physical-chemical composition of diets across farms, attributable to differences in feeding management practices. Both chemical and physical component were found to be associated with MY, MQ and AD changes. A ration poor in roughage and rich in concentrate negatively affected MQ showing lower milk fat, and higher somatic cells count and milk urea, while a greater presence of coarse particles and high fibre were associated with lower MY. Nevertheless, coarse particles and aNDF were positively associated with milk clotting parameters and aNDF digestibility. Our study emphasised the high importance of fibre for improving MQ of dairy buffaloes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2024.2417714dairy buffalodietsphysical particlesmilk qualitydigestibility
spellingShingle Chiara Evangelista
Francesca Petrocchi Jasinski
Loredana Basiricò
Giovanni Turriziani
Umberto Bernabucci
Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
Italian Journal of Animal Science
dairy buffalo
diets
physical particles
milk quality
digestibility
title Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
title_full Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
title_fullStr Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
title_full_unstemmed Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
title_short Particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to Italian Mediterranean buffaloes measured by the PSPS: impact on milk quality and digestibility
title_sort particle size distribution of total mixed rations fed to italian mediterranean buffaloes measured by the psps impact on milk quality and digestibility
topic dairy buffalo
diets
physical particles
milk quality
digestibility
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2024.2417714
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