Rocha et al., 2006. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 35 (5): 2154-2162

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing maize with coffee hulls on the intake, apparent digestibility and milk production and composition of lactating dairy cows. The treatments contained coffee hulls at 0, 5, 10 or 15% of the total dietary DM. Twelve Holstein dairy cows were blocked by days in milk and randomly assigned to three replicates of 4*4 Latin squares. Diets were isonitrogenous, averaging 15.5% CP, and were composed of 60% maize silage and 40% concentrate on DM basis. Replacing maize with coffee hulls did not affect the intake of EE. However, intakes of DM, OM, CP, TC and NFC, as well as dietary TDN, were decreased linearly upon the inclusion of coffee hulls in the diet. Apparent total tract digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, TC, NDF and NFC were reduced linearly by the increasing the proportion of dietary coffee hulls. Conversely, NDF intake increased linearly when coffee hulls replaced maize in the diet. No significant differences in milk yield, as well as yields and contents of fat, protein, total solids and solid nonfat were observed. Feeding balances (milk yield gross income-feeding costs) per cow and per litter of milk were increased linearly after partial replacing of maize with coffee hulls. It can be concluded that coffee hulls can replace up to 15% of the maize in the diet with no detrimental effects on production.