# Citrus Pulp as an Alternative Energy Source for High-Yielding Dairy Cows in Tropical Systems: Effects on Intake, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, and Dairy Performance

## TL;DR

Replacing corn meal with citrus pulp in dairy cow feed in tropical areas reduces intake and milk production but may still be a viable option due to cost and availability.

## Contribution

This study evaluates citrus pulp as a corn meal alternative in tropical dairy systems, focusing on its impact on cow performance and economics.

## Key findings

- Replacing corn meal with citrus pulp reduced nutrient intake and digestibility in dairy cows.
- Milk production and profitability were lower with citrus pulp compared to corn meal.
- Citrus pulp may still be a viable feed option due to its low cost and availability in tropical regions.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing dietary corn meal with pelleted citrus pulp on nutrient use, microbial protein synthesis, and performance in dairy cows in tropical conditions. The inclusion of citrus pulp reduced the intake and digestibility of nutrients, the capture of nitrogen by microbes, milk yield and income over feed cost, but not the efficiency of feed-to-milk conversion. Nevertheless, due to its availability, price and inedibility for humans, citrus pulp can be a suitable option as a source of nutrients in dairy cow production systems in tropical regions

This study evaluated the impact of incorporating citrus pulp (CiP) into the rations of high-producing dairy cows under tropical conditions. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were assigned to two dietary treatments: corn meal (CM) or CiP as the main energy source. Dairy cows were allocated to a crossover design comprising two 21-day periods. The rations were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Replacing CM with CiP reduced the intakes of dry matter (19.9 vs. 19.5 kg/d), organic matter (17.9 vs. 17.4 kg/d), digestible organic matter (12.3 vs. 11.7 kg/d), and crude protein (3.43 vs. 3.35 kg/d), while increasing neutral detergent fibre intake (7.39 vs. 7.63 kg/d). Apparent total tract digestibility decreased for all nutrients, including DM, OM, CP, NDF, and ADF, when CiP replaced CM. Milk production was lower in cows fed CiP than in those fed CM (23.7 vs. 22.7 kg/d), although milk feed efficiency (milk/DMI) was not different. An economic analysis showed that cows fed CM had higher milk gross income and income over feed cost. These results suggest that the partial replacement (60%) of CM with CiP may negatively affect feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production, and profitability in dairy cows in tropical regions.