Four groups of 8×10 dairy cows each were selected from among those fed a ration composed mostly of concentrates (A), byproduct feeds (B), roughage (C), and relatively well-balanced concentrate and roughage (D), respectively, in the suburbs of Tokyo.
Total digestible nutrient was a little smaller in amount in the groups other than B. Digestible crude protein was a little larger in amount in all the groups, except C. Butter fat rate and protein content were higher and solids-not-fat lower in the milk of group B than in that of any other group. The cows of group B were all positive for the California mastitis test.
Serum protein, blood sugar, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium were high in group B. Blood sugar was especially low in group C. In urinalysis, the positive rate of ketone bodies was the lowest in group D.
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