Work

Exhausted olive pomace as a replacement for soybean hulls in corn silage–based diets for late-lactating Holstein cows: Insights from sustainable dairy farming

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of replacing soybean hulls with exhausted olive pomace (EOP) on feed intake, milk production and composition, and rumen fermentation parameters. A cyclical changeover design experiment was used with 4 rumen-fistulated Holstein cows, 3 corn silage-based diets containing 0%, 3%, or 6% of EOP (DM basis), and three 21-d periods. Measurements were taken from d 15 to 21, and rumen contents were sampled on the last day. Diet did not affect feed intake, milk production and composition, or MUN. Ruminal pH, total short-chain fatty acid concentrations, and molar proportions of individual acids were also unaffected by the different dietary treatments. These findings suggest that EOP comprises a sustainable feed resource for late-lactating dairy cows fed corn silage-based diets, supporting circular economy approaches to promote the compound feed industry's resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Source: JDS Communications

DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2025-0932

Authors: António J.M. Fonseca, Ana R.J. Cabrita

Institutions: Universidade do Porto, Rede de Química e Tecnologia, LAQV Requimte, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Albel Salazar

Language: English

Topic: Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology

Subfield: Agronomy and Crop Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,310