Fermentable carbohydrates such as starch, sugar and fiber provide energy for dairy cows. Dairy cows do not need starch. Therefore, dietary starch can be appropriately reduced. A common strategy to reduce dietary starch while maintaining lactation performance is to replace starch sources (e.g. corn) with highly digestible feeds, non-feed fiber sources or sugars.
Fermentable carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the diets of high-yielding dairy cows and play an important role in microbial growth and protein synthesis. Starch is not an essential nutrient for dairy cattle, but directly affects glucose supply. Therefore, it affects the lactation performance of dairy cows.
Sugars are water-soluble carbohydrates that are readily found in the rumen of animals. Although sugars ferment faster than starch or fiber, rates of disaccharide hydrolysis and monosaccharide fermentation vary widely depending on the type of sugar and the rumen environment.
In short, sugar and starch, which are among the easily digestible carbohydrates, are the main energy sources of animals and the feed should contain them in a certain amount. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, which are among the structural carbohydrates, are not easily digested by animals, so they are not desired to be present in compound feeds in excess. In this respect, the sugar and starch contents of the feeds must be controlled.
The analysis work carried out at our organization is based on state-of-the-art equipment, a trained and experienced staff, and modern methods. Among the numerous tests conducted within this scope are feed analysis services – including sugar and starch analysis.
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