Le ProtiWanze®, une alternative économique aux tourteaux de soja et de colza dans l’alimentation des vaches laitières?

To verify whether introducing Protiwanze® (PW) in dairy cattle diet was economically valuable, 4 herds (N cows: 87± 13) have been followed up for 2 years (2011 and 2012).
They received successively two diets differing in PW content for 4 weeks, including a 7-day transition: 10% and 15% for Herd 1,2, and 3 while Herd 1 received 0 and 10% on a dry matter basis. Both concentrations were distributed alternatively and repeated twice, each cow being its own control. Rations were formulated to meet energy and nitrogen requirements. During each testing period, animals were scored (Body Condition, Rumen Fill, Fecal Consistency, Undigested Fraction) according to Zaaier (2001) and their milk production and composition determined by the Dairy Herd Improvement. Ruminal juices were sampled on 5 cows and checked for subacute ruminal acidosis. Reproduction performance was analyzed.
Introducing PW in dairy cows diet did not change milk production, reproduction performance nor induce subacute ruminal acidosis.
Economically, it decreased feeding costs but this advantage was lower in 2012 as protein content of Protiwanze was reduced while its price increased.