Possibilities of Utilizing Protected Hazelnut Kernel Oil Meal in Growing Ruminants and Dairy Cow Diets

Abstract

Growth and feeding studies were conducted to determine effects of hazelnut kernel oil meal (HKOM) on growth performance (as protein efficiency), and milk production and composition. In the growth study, 24 individually fed Karayaka lambs (4 mo. and 25.55 kg LW) were used to determine protein efficiency calculated using the Slope Ratio Technique. In the feeding trial, 4 Jersey cows were arranged in 4 × 4 Latin squares experiment to measure effects of diets containing HKOM, soybean meal (SBM) corn gluten meal (CGU) and urea (U) on milk production and composition. Protein efficiencies for HKOM, SBM and CGM were found as 1.342±0.499, 0.879±0.488 and 1.833 ± 0.893, respectively. Milk production for the cows consuming concentrates, containing HKOM, SBM, CGM and U, were 13.97±0.99, 13.20±1.09, 14.86±0.68 and 13.06±1.23 kg/d (p<0.01), respectively. There were no differences (p>0.05) among diets for milk protein content were statistically different (p<0.05), although milk DM and fat percentage as well as milk solids-not-fat and lactose percentage (p<0.01). The highest DM intake was associated with the U diet, intake was intermediate with the SBM and HKOM diets, and the lowest with CGM diet (p<0.05). In conclusion, these data may indicate that the HKOM is useful in diets as a protein source for growing ruminants and lactating cows.