Frequency of diet delivery to dairy cows: Effect on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, methane production, nitrogen utilization, and milk production

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of frequency of diet delivery to dairy cows on nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, milk production, nitrogen utilization, enteric methane emission, and manure methane production potential. Twelve lactating cows were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design (35-d period) and offered a TMR ad libitum [56:44 ratio of forage to concentrate, dry matter (DM) basis] once (0930 h), twice (0930 and 2130 h), or 4 times daily (0930, 1300, 1630, and 2130 h). Frequency of diet delivery did not affect intake or apparent total-tract digestibility of DM and nutrients. Likewise, milk production, milk composition (fat, protein, and lactose), and milk production efficiency (kg of milk/kg of DM intake or g of milk N/g of N intake) were not changed by frequency of diet delivery. Although diurnal variation of ruminal pH, total VFA, and acetate molar proportion were influenced by frequency of diet delivery, daily average ruminal pH, total VFA, and acetate and propionate molar proportions were not affected by frequency of diet delivery. Daily enteric CH4 emission averaged 534 g/d and was not changed by frequency of diet delivery. Methane energy losses (on gross energy intake basis) were lower when cows received the diet once daily (5.8%) versus twice or 4 times daily (6.1%). Urinary N excretion was higher for cows receiving the diet 4 times daily compared with cows receiving the diet once or twice daily (36 vs. 34% of N intake). Frequency of diet delivery had no influence on manure volatile solids excretion or maximal CH4 production potential. Results from this study show that delivering the diet once daily reduces enteric CH(4 )energy losses compared with twice or 4 times daily, whereas urinary N losses increased by delivering the diet 4 times daily compared with once or twice daily. However, milk production and maximal manure CH4 emission potential were not affected by frequency of diet delivery.