Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry J. Bradford / The transition from gestation to lactation requires numerous physiological and metabolic adaptations in order for the body to maintain relative homeostasis. For the modern dairy cow, the difficulty to meet these challenges is increased many-fold due to the large demand for energy and metabolites placed on the body by the high producing mammary gland. Milk fever or periparturient hypocalcemia can be defined as a failure of the calcium homeostatic mechanisms to maintain serum calcium around the time of calving. Though clinical cases may only arise in ≈ 5% of transition cows, subclinical rates are much higher. Animals suffering from even subclinical milk fever are much more susceptible to numerous other transition disorders. Preventing milk fever by formulation of the prepartum ration may be accomplished by decreasing the dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) which can be defined as the balance between positively and negatively charged ions in the diet. An experiment was designed to test 2 diets containing t products designed to deliver supplementary anions to the diet versus a control ration with no added anions. Total serum calcium and incidence of postpartum health disorders were not affected by prepartum dietary treatment. Though DCAD was drastically different between the control ration and the 2 anionic diets, the concentration of the strong cation potassium was low across all treatments which presumably prevented hypocalcemia with the onset of lactation. Though our diets contained low concentrations of potassium, many diets used by dairymen contain forages that are high in potassium and thus might benefit from the addition of anions. An experiment of an unrelated nature was conducted to observe the effects of 2 diets containing wet corn gluten feed (46 or 56% of DM) as the primary energy substrate and tallgrass prairie hay (14 or 20% of DM) as the sole source of physically effective fiber versus a control ration containing alfalfa and corn silage. The 20% tallgrass prairie hay diet resulted in milk components and efficiencies similar to those of the control ration, but production and income over feed cost did not match that of the control ration in this situation.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry J. Bradford / Increased pressure for land use and greater demand for cereal grains have substantially increased feed costs for dairy producers. This has forced nutritionists to devise novel diet formulation strategies to help keep feed costs in check. As a result, dairymen are incorporating wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) into diets. Numerous studies have reported production responses to dietary inclusion of WCGF, but few have reported ruminal effects. Therefore an experiment was conducted to monitor production, while simultaneously measuring ruminal fermentation and total-tract digestion in 8 Holstein cows fed 0, 12, 24, and 36% WCGF (DM basis). Results from this study were consistent with recently published papers indicating that increasing dietary levels of WCGF linearly increases milk and milk component production. However, results demonstrate that this increase in production is related to an increase in feed intake, not improved digestibility. In addition to escalating grain prices, recent pressure for land and water use has led to a decrease in the availability of alfalfa. A second experiment was conducted to determine if forage fiber provided by alfalfa hay is necessary to maintain production in diets containing 31% WCGF (DM basis). Eighty primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows were utilized in two 4 × 4 Latin squares to evaluate the effects of feeding alfalfa at 0, 7, 14, and 21% of diet DM. Feeding higher proportions of alfalfa tended to increase ECM yield and decrease BW gain, suggesting that metabolizable energy supply was repartitioned from BW gain to milk production as more alfalfa was included. However, partial budget analysis determined that decreasing alfalfa inclusion rate may improve farm profitability by reducing feed costs and expenses associated with manure handling, despite small losses in productivity. Overall, these research projects suggest that large proportions of WCGF can effectively be fed to dairy cattle without sacrificing milk production, even without the use of alfalfa hay. Therefore, WCGF can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional dietary ingredients.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Dale A. Blasi / Effects of corn processing with or without the inclusion of wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) on growth and performance were analyzed in two experiments. Treatments for both experiments were a diet including 47% whole-shelled corn (WSC) with no WCGF (WSC/0WCGF), a diet including 29% WSC with 30% WCGF (WSC/30WCGF), a diet including 47% dry-rolled corn (DRC) with no WCGF (DRC/0WCGF), and a diet with 29% DRC with 30% WCGF (DRC/30WCGF). Exp. 1 used 279 crossbred calves (230 kg) that were allocated to treatments in a 2x2 factorial completely randomized block design. No corn processing effects (all P > 0.31) were observed. Final BW was increased when WCGF was included in the diet (P = 0.03). ADG was increased for diets with WCGF (P = 0.03). Efficiency was not affected by the incorporation of WCGF in the diet. Digestibility of DM (P = 0.006) and starch (P = 0.009) was increased by the dietary inclusion of WCGF. There were no benefits observed for processing corn, but including WCGF at 30% (DM) increased gains and overall performance. Exp. 2 was a digestibility experiment using 5 ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers (248 ± 13 kg BW) in a 4 × 4 Latin square with an additional animal that was administered the same treatment sequence as another heifer on trial. No corn processing effects were observed for DM, starch, and ADF intake (all P ≥ 0.09). Dietary WCGF inclusion increased starch, non-starch and ADF intake (all P ≤ 0.01). Digestibility of DM, starch, non-starch, and ADF was not affected by corn processing, but DM, non-starch, and ADF digestibility were increased by WCGF inclusion in the diet (P ≤ 0.03). Ruminal pH was not affected by corn processing (P = 0.90) or dietary WCGF inclusion (P = 0.09). No corn × WCGF interactions were detected. There also was no difference among VFAs or total VFA concentration (all P ≥ 0.12) for corn processing effects. Passage rate (%/h) and ruminal liquid volume was not affected by corn processing or dietary WCGF inclusion (all P ≥ 0.66).

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry J. Bradford / Wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) is commonly included in lactation rations for dairy cattle. Research at Kansas State University has shown that increasing WCGF inclusion decreased ruminal pH. Lack of adequate particle size may result in this decrease and can impact efficiencies, animal health and longevity. A study was conducted to look at the effects of feeding WCGF while maintaining > 10% of particles > 19 mm across diets. We hypothesized that as WCGF increased, DMI and milk yield would increase while ruminal pH would be maintained. Seven ruminally-cannulated, lactating Holstein cows were used in an incomplete 4 × 4 Latin square design with treatments of 0, 12.4, 24.5 or 35.1% WCGF across 4 periods of 21 d. Alfalfa hay was used to maintain particle size. All diets met particle size goals; however, as WCGF increased, the proportion of particles > 19 mm decreased (P = 0.01) and cows changed their sorting behavior in favor of particles > 19 mm (P = 0.03) and against particles on the bottom screen (P < 0.01) and pan (P = 0.01). As WCGF increased, ruminal pH and ECM/DMI were not affected, yet DMI (P = 0.02) and milk yield (P = 0.02) increased quadratically. Milk protein, lactose and fat concentrations were not affected; however, milk protein (P = 0.004; linear) and lactose (P = 0.02; quadratic) yields increased. In a separate study, active dry yeast (ADY) products, commonly used in the dairy industry to support ruminal health, were evaluated for product guarantees and effects of storage and storage medium. Few products received through normal distribution met product guarantees (1 of 6; experiment 1) and after 3 mo of storage cell viability dropped significantly (P < 0.01). In the second experiment, products were stored in ground corn or in a vitamin-trace mineral mix (VTM). Depressions in viability caused by high-temperature storage were partially mitigated when ADY products were stored with a VTM. Although both mediums resulted in lower cell viabilities after storage at 40ºC, VTM cell viabilities were significantly (P = 0.02) higher than ground corn.

A silagem de milho é um dos principais alimentos suplementares utilizados na alimentação de gado leiteiro, no entanto, seu elevado custo de produção tem levado técnicos e produtores a buscarem outras alternativas como fonte de volumoso. O farelo de glúten de milho pode ser utilizado como fonte energética, protéica e fibrosa, substituindo parte da silagem de milho em rações para ruminantes. O presente ensaio teve por objetivo estudar o efeito da substituição de 0, 8 e 16% da MS da silagem de milho por FGM-21 em rações de vacas holandesas em lactação na produção de leite, composição do leite, parâmetros sanguíneos metabólicos, variação de peso, escore de condição corporal e a viabilidade econômica. O trabalho foi conduzido no confinamento "free-stall" do Departamento de Zootecnia da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo, localizada no município de Piracicaba. As rações foram formuladas de forma que fossem isoprotéicas e isoenergéticas. Foi feita avaliação de produção de leite, composição do leite, variação de peso, escore de condição corporal e a viabilidade econômica, utilizando-se 30 vacas Holandesas com produções de leite ao redor de 25 a 30kg/vaca/dia, com média de peso de 654kg e média de escore corporal 2,8. A inclusão do FGM-21 nos dois níveis 8 e 16% aumentou a produção de leite bem como a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura. Foi feita avaliação de parâmetros metabólicos, utilizando-se 15 vacas Holandesas pertencentes ao grupo. Os resultados para os teores de N-Uréico plasmático e de glicose plasmática não diferiram entre os tratamentos. A análise de viabilidade econômica mostrou aumento na lucratividade nos tratamentos com inclusão de FGM-21 nas rações considerando-se os preços dos alimentos na época do estudo. / Corn silage is one of the major feedstuffs used in dairy farms but its high cost has encouraged farmers to look after alternative feeds. Corn gluten feed has been used as a source of energy, protein and effective fiber in dairy rations. This study was carried out at the Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", in a free-stall facility, with 30 mid-lactation Holsteins multiparous cows, averaging 25 to 30 kg milk/day and 654 kg body weight. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of replacing 0, 8 and 16% corn silage dry matter with dried corn gluten feed. Experimental diets were formulated by the NRC, 2001 and were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Cows fed both corn gluten feed supplemented diets produced more milk and 3.5% FCM than control animals. Milk composition and plasma urea and glucose were the same among treatments. Under the conditions of this trial, corn gluten feed was an effective replacement for corn silage, both from the nutritional and economical stand point.

Com o intuito de avaliar a substituição do milho em grãos por alimentos alternativos em rações de vacas em lactação, foram conduzidos três experimentos iguais, em que a única diferença foi o alimento testado: No experimento 1 avaliou-se a inclusão do farelo de glúten de milho 21 (FGM-21) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A ingestão diária de MS (21,19 kg/an), a produção de leite (24,88 kg/an), a produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura (25,34 kg/an), o teor de gordura (3,62%), e o teor de sólidos totais (11,86%) não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). A inclusão do FGM-21 afetou os teores de proteína e lactose do leite e a concentração de nitrogênio uréico do leite (P>0,05). No experimento 2 avaliou-se a inclusão da casca de soja (CS) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A inclusão da CS não afetou o consumo de matéria seca (22,84 kg/d), nem a produção de leite (28,33 kg/d) e produção de leite corrigido para gordura (28,48 kd/d) (P>0,05). No entanto a inclusão do subproduto aumentou linearmente a produção total de gordura (P<0,05) e a concentração de nitrogênio uréico (P<0,01) no leite. No experimento 3 avaliou-se a inclusão do farelo de trigo (FT) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A inclusão do FT reduziu (P<0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (média de 22,20 kg/d) e a produção de leite (P<0,01) (média de 31,65 kg/d), a produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura (média de 27,44 kg/d), a produção de proteína, gordura e lactose do leite (P<0,05), e consequentemente, a produção de sólidos totais do leite (P<0,05). No entanto os teores dos componentes do leite não foram afetados pelos tratamentos. A inclusão do subproduto causou aumento no teor de nitrogênio uréico no leite (P<0,01). / Four identical experiments were conducted to evaluate the substitution of some byproducts for corn grain in confined lactating cows diets. The only source of variation among them was the byproduct tested. In trial 1 the inclusion of three doses of corn gluten feed (FGM-21) (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Treatments did not affect (P>0.10) daily dry matter intake (DMI) (21.19 kg/cow), milk yield (24.88 kg/cow), 3,5% fat corrected milk yield (FCM) (25.34 kg/cow), milk fat content (3.62%), and milk total solids (11.86%). Inclusion of corn gluten feed affected milk protein, lactose and urea concentrations (P<0.05). In trial 2 the inclusion of three doses of soy hulls (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Inclusion of soy hulls had no effect on daily dry matter intake (DMI) (22.84 kg/d), milk yield (28.33 kg/d) or fat corrected milk (FCM) yield (28.48 kd/d) (P>0.05). However, inclusion of CS linearly increased total milk fat yield (P<0,05) and linearly decreased MUN (P<0,01). In trial 3 the inclusion of three doses of wheat middlings (FT) (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Inclusion of FT reduced (P<0,05) dry matter intake (22.20 kg/d average) and milk yield (P<0,01) (31.65 kg/d average), FCM yield (27.44 kg/d average), total milk fat, protein and lactose, and milk total solids (P<0,05). Milk components concentration was not affected by treatments. Inclusion of the byproduct increased MUN concentration (P<0,01).

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a digestibilidade, o desempenho e a viabilidade econômica da inclusão de derivados do milho: água de maceração (AM), glúten (GM), farelo de glúten (FG), germe (GEM) e dextrina (D) em dietas para tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus) e do pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). No primeiro, secundo e terceiro experimentos, avaliaram-se a digestibilidade in vivo do AM para a tilápia e para o pacu, e GM, FG, GEM e D somente para o pacu. No quarto e no quinto experimentos, foram avaliados o desempenho e a viabilidade econômica de AM para a tilápia e o pacu. Para os ensaios de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 126 juvenis de tilápia (peso médio de 35,93g±7,64g), 120 pacus (peso médio de 29,50 g ± 5,13 g) e 108 pacus (peso médio de 77,69g ± 17,65g). Estes peixes foram acondicionados em seis gaiolas submersas em seis aquários de alimentação com capacidade de 100 L de água, e para a coleta de fezes, utilizaram-se três aquários cilíndricos de fundo cônico de 250 L. Para os ensaios de desempenho, foram utilizados 200 alevinos de tilápia (peso médio de 2,81 ± 0,15g) distribuídos em 20 caixas de 130L com densidade de 10 peixes por caixa, e 140 pacus (peso médio de 3,42± 0,30g) distribuídos em aquários de 40L com densidade de sete peixes por aquário. Foram obtidos os seguintes valores de coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) de proteína bruta (PB) e energia bruta (EB) de AM: 94,15% e 84,93%, para tilápia e 97,10% e 98,43%, para pacu, respectivamente. Já para os ingredientes GM, FG, e GEM obtiveram-se os seguintes valores de CDAPB para o pacu: 99,62%, 84,92%, 70,97%, e para CDAEB: 98,13%, 76,89%, 62,88%, respectivamente. Em relação à D, foi determinado apenas o CDAEB de 85,16%. Quanto ao ensaio de desempenho, não foram verificadas diferenças significativas para os parâmetros zootécnicos avaliados, para as duas espécies, exceto para a taxa de eficiência protéica referente à tilápia. A análise de viabilidade econômica demonstrou que as inclusões de 8% de AM em dieta para tilápia nilótica, e 6% em dietas experimentais para o pacu foram os tratamentos que mais reduziram os custos relacionados à formação da dieta em comparação ao controle. / The aim of this research was to evaluate the digestibility, performance and economic viability of corn derivative ingredients inclusions in diets: condensed fermented corn extractive (CE), gluten meal (GM), corn gluten feed 21% (CGF) and dextrin (D) to Nile tilápia (Oreochromis niloticus) and pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). In the first, second and third experiments, were evaluated the digestibility of CE of tilápia and pacu, and others ingredients, just for pacu. In fourth and five experiments, performance assay of CE of tilápia and pacu were evaluated. For the digestibility assays, were used 126 juveniles of tilápia (weight mean 35,93g±7,64g), 120 pacus (weight mean 29,50 g ± 5,13 g), and 108 pacus (weight mean 77,69 g ± 17,65g). The fishes were assigned were assigned to six 100L feeding tanks and three 250 L cylindrical tanks with conical bottom, to feces collection. For the fourth and fifth experiments, were used 200 tilápia fingerlings (weight mean 2,81 ± 0,15g) distributed in twenty 130L tanks and 140 pacu fingerlings (weight mean 3,42± 0,30g) distributed in twenty 40L aquaria. For the CE digestibility assay, were obtained the following values of apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of crude protein (CP) and energy (CE): 94.15% and 84.93%, for tilápia, 97.10% and 98.43%, for pacu, respectively. For the GM, CGF and CG digestibility assay, were obtained the following values of ADCCP: 99,62%, 84,92% 70,97%, and ADCCE values: 98,13%, 76,89%, 62,88%, respectively. In relation to D, were obtained only the ADDCE value: 85,16%. For the performance assays, no significant differences in relation to parameters evaluated were found for both species, except the protein efficiency ratio of tilápia. The evaluation of economic viability demonstrated that inclusions of 8% of AM in diet for Nile tilápia, and 6% in diets for pacu were the treatment that most reduced the cost related to diets elaboration.

A silagem de milho é um dos principais alimentos suplementares utilizados na alimentação de gado leiteiro, no entanto, seu elevado custo de produção tem levado técnicos e produtores a buscarem outras alternativas como fonte de volumoso. O farelo de glúten de milho pode ser utilizado como fonte energética, protéica e fibrosa, substituindo parte da silagem de milho em rações para ruminantes. O presente ensaio teve por objetivo estudar o efeito da substituição de 0, 8 e 16% da MS da silagem de milho por FGM-21 em rações de vacas holandesas em lactação na produção de leite, composição do leite, parâmetros sanguíneos metabólicos, variação de peso, escore de condição corporal e a viabilidade econômica. O trabalho foi conduzido no confinamento “free-stall” do Departamento de Zootecnia da Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Universidade de São Paulo, localizada no município de Piracicaba. As rações foram formuladas de forma que fossem isoprotéicas e isoenergéticas. Foi feita avaliação de produção de leite, composição do leite, variação de peso, escore de condição corporal e a viabilidade econômica, utilizando-se 30 vacas Holandesas com produções de leite ao redor de 25 a 30kg/vaca/dia, com média de peso de 654kg e média de escore corporal 2,8. A inclusão do FGM-21 nos dois níveis 8 e 16% aumentou a produção de leite bem como a produção de leite corrigida para 3,5% de gordura. Foi feita avaliação de parâmetros metabólicos, utilizando-se 15 vacas Holandesas pertencentes ao grupo. Os resultados para os teores de N-Uréico plasmático e de glicose plasmática não diferiram entre os tratamentos. A análise de viabilidade econômica mostrou aumento na lucratividade nos tratamentos com inclusão de FGM-21 nas rações considerando-se os preços dos alimentos na época do estudo. / Corn silage is one of the major feedstuffs used in dairy farms but its high cost has encouraged farmers to look after alternative feeds. Corn gluten feed has been used as a source of energy, protein and effective fiber in dairy rations. This study was carried out at the Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, in a free-stall facility, with 30 mid-lactation Holsteins multiparous cows, averaging 25 to 30 kg milk/day and 654 kg body weight. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of replacing 0, 8 and 16% corn silage dry matter with dried corn gluten feed. Experimental diets were formulated by the NRC, 2001 and were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Cows fed both corn gluten feed supplemented diets produced more milk and 3.5% FCM than control animals. Milk composition and plasma urea and glucose were the same among treatments. Under the conditions of this trial, corn gluten feed was an effective replacement for corn silage, both from the nutritional and economical stand point.

Soixante-dix-sept lots de matières premières (MP) (10 de blé, 10 de triticale, 5 de seigle, 5 d'orge, 7 de maïs, 6 de sorgho, 3 de farine basse de blé, 4 de remoulage de blé, 3 de son de blé, 7 de corn gluten feed, 4 de tourteau de colza, 4 de tourteau de tournesol et 9 de tourteau de soja) ont fait l'objet d'une caractérisation analytique et d'une mesure de digestibilité iléale des acides aminés (AA) sur des porcs, mâles castrés, pesant entre 35 et 100 kg, et préparés en anastomose iléo-rectale termino-terminale. La digestibilité iléale vraie (DIV) de l'azote (N) et des AA de chaque lot de MP a été calculée en corrigeant la digestibilité iléale apparente de l'excrétion endogène basale. Cette dernière a été mesurée au moyen d'un aliment protéiprive. La digestibilité iléale réelle (DIR) des AA des lots de céréales, de tourteau de colza et de tourteau de soja a été calculée après détermination de l'excrétion endogène totale d'AA par régression linéaire multiple.<br />L'excrétion endogène basale d'azote est en moyenne de 1.14 g/kg MSI. L'animal en est le principal facteur de variation.<br />En moyenne, la DIV de l'N des céréales se situe entre 77% pour le seigle et 87-89% pour le blé, le triticale, et le maïs. Celle des issues de meunerie passe de 94% pour les farines basses à 70% pour les sons. Celle du corn gluten feed varie de 62 à 75%, selon le lot. Elle est de 74% pour le tourteau de colza, 81 % pour le tourteau de tournesol et 88% pour le tourteau de soja. La DIV des AA des issues de meunerie, du corn gluten feed et du tourteau de soja peut être prédite à partir de leurs teneurs en fibres insolubles et/ou du pourcentage d'azote lié au résidu NDF (NNDF).<br />En moyenne, l'excrétion endogène spécifique d'N se situe entre 1.1 et 2.1 g/kg MS pour les céréales. Elle est de 3.6 et 7.9 g/kg MS pour, respectivement, le tourteau de soja et le tourteau de colza. Pour la plupart des matières premières, l'excrétion endogène spécifique d'N augmente significativement avec la teneur en fibres insolubles. Toutefois, plus l'animal est léger, plus il semble sensible à une augmentation de la teneur en fibres insolubles, et en particulier en ligno-cellulose, du régime. Par ailleurs, la fibre de type blé serait plus stimulante que la fibre de type orge. Des équations de prédiction de l'excrétion endogène spécifique d'N en fonction de la teneur en ADF (Acid Detergent Fibre) du lot de matière première et du poids de l'animal sont proposées.<br />En moyenne, la DIR de l'azote est supérieure à 95% pour le blé, le triticale et le maïs, elle est de 94% pour le tourteau de soja, 91 % pour le sorgho, 88% pour l'orge, 84% pour le seigle et 86% pour le tourteau de colza.

Com o intuito de avaliar a substituição do milho em grãos por alimentos alternativos em rações de vacas em lactação, foram conduzidos três experimentos iguais, em que a única diferença foi o alimento testado: No experimento 1 avaliou-se a inclusão do farelo de glúten de milho 21 (FGM-21) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A ingestão diária de MS (21,19 kg/an), a produção de leite (24,88 kg/an), a produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura (25,34 kg/an), o teor de gordura (3,62%), e o teor de sólidos totais (11,86%) não foram afetados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). A inclusão do FGM-21 afetou os teores de proteína e lactose do leite e a concentração de nitrogênio uréico do leite (P>0,05). No experimento 2 avaliou-se a inclusão da casca de soja (CS) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A inclusão da CS não afetou o consumo de matéria seca (22,84 kg/d), nem a produção de leite (28,33 kg/d) e produção de leite corrigido para gordura (28,48 kd/d) (P>0,05). No entanto a inclusão do subproduto aumentou linearmente a produção total de gordura (P<0,05) e a concentração de nitrogênio uréico (P<0,01) no leite. No experimento 3 avaliou-se a inclusão do farelo de trigo (FT) em três níveis (0, 10 e 20% da MS) em substituição ao milho moído das rações. A inclusão do FT reduziu (P<0,05) o consumo de matéria seca (média de 22,20 kg/d) e a produção de leite (P<0,01) (média de 31,65 kg/d), a produção de leite corrigido para 3,5% de gordura (média de 27,44 kg/d), a produção de proteína, gordura e lactose do leite (P<0,05), e consequentemente, a produção de sólidos totais do leite (P<0,05). No entanto os teores dos componentes do leite não foram afetados pelos tratamentos. A inclusão do subproduto causou aumento no teor de nitrogênio uréico no leite (P<0,01). / Four identical experiments were conducted to evaluate the substitution of some byproducts for corn grain in confined lactating cows diets. The only source of variation among them was the byproduct tested. In trial 1 the inclusion of three doses of corn gluten feed (FGM-21) (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Treatments did not affect (P>0.10) daily dry matter intake (DMI) (21.19 kg/cow), milk yield (24.88 kg/cow), 3,5% fat corrected milk yield (FCM) (25.34 kg/cow), milk fat content (3.62%), and milk total solids (11.86%). Inclusion of corn gluten feed affected milk protein, lactose and urea concentrations (P<0.05). In trial 2 the inclusion of three doses of soy hulls (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Inclusion of soy hulls had no effect on daily dry matter intake (DMI) (22.84 kg/d), milk yield (28.33 kg/d) or fat corrected milk (FCM) yield (28.48 kd/d) (P>0.05). However, inclusion of CS linearly increased total milk fat yield (P<0,05) and linearly decreased MUN (P<0,01). In trial 3 the inclusion of three doses of wheat middlings (FT) (0, 10 and 20% DM) in substitution for ground corn was evaluated. Inclusion of FT reduced (P<0,05) dry matter intake (22.20 kg/d average) and milk yield (P<0,01) (31.65 kg/d average), FCM yield (27.44 kg/d average), total milk fat, protein and lactose, and milk total solids (P<0,05). Milk components concentration was not affected by treatments. Inclusion of the byproduct increased MUN concentration (P<0,01).