Survey animal feed in Morocco, pumpkin seeds are a good alternative to soy

Pumpkin seeds as an alternative to soybean meal in the diet of dairy cows. A survey conducted by Harbin University of Agricultural Sciences (China) showed that pumpkin seed cake (a by-product obtained after oil extraction) is, in fact, a good substitute for soybean meal in feed for dairy cows and also has more antioxidant value. The results of the study showed that pumpkin seed meal can be completely substituted for soybean meal in dairy cow feed without any negative impact on milk yield, ruminal fermentation or apparent digestibility. In addition, this dietary change improves antioxidant functions and blood parameters in dairy cows. In the research, 6 lactating multiparous Holstein dairy cows were collected (body weight = 610 ± 21.5 kg, days in milk: 95 ± 10.1, parity: 2 and milk production = 28.7 ± 1.9 ), which were thus randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: 1. The cows in group 1 were fed a diet containing no pumpkin seed cake. 2. Group 2 cows were fed a diet in which ...