Pisello proteico e fava nell'alimentazione di bovine di razza Reggiana: effetti sulla produzione e sulle caratteristiche del latte

Effects of pea and faba beans in the diet of Reggiana cows on milk yield and composition. - The use of pea and faba beans, self produced and not-GM feeds, as substitutes for soybean meal was tested in the diets of Reggiana breed cows, whose milk is transformed into Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. A concentrate feed composed by 15% flaked pea and 10% flaked faba beans (“PF”; 15.7% crude protein) was compared with a control one providing 11% soybean meal (“C”; 15.6% crude protein), during two subsequent feeding trials lasted 12 weeks each. The first trial involved two groups of 19 cows each, the second one involved two groups of 14 cows each; forages were hay only (alfalfa and mixed lawn) in the 1st trial and hay+green herbage in the 2nd. Milk yield was recorded daily from all cows, and no difference in milk production between the two feeding groups was observed. Milk composition (protein, fat, casein and urea) was periodically analysed on individual samples, as well as milk-dynamometer tracing: no effect of the diet could be detected. The results allow to state that pea and faba beans can be included at maximum levels permitted by Parmigiano-Reggiano production rules, such allowing a complete substitution of soybean meal, without detrimental effects on milk production and quality.