This research was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding high and low forage diets with different forage sources on rumen fermentation characteristics and blood parameters of Holstein cows during the dry period. Eight Holstein cows were completely randomized assigned to two groups and repeated measurement was utilized in the analysis. Cows in two treatments were fed with diets with high (F:C = 70:30, 70F; forage source: mixed-sowing whole crop barley and Italian ryegrass silage, BIRG) and low (F:C = 55:45, 55F; forage source: tall fescue hay, TF) forage level. Rumen fluid pH was higher in 70F group. Levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid showed a similar pattern: from the lowest value at 07:30 h to the highest at 10:30 h and then decreased in both groups. The ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 55F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Rumen fluid NH3-N concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group. It was concluded that BIRG based diet with a high forage level had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation, some blood chemical parameters, and immune system in dry Holstein cows and could be used as a forage source instead of imported TF.

• Jing Lun Peng(Department of Feed Science and Technology, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Byong Wan Kim(Department of Feed Science and Technology, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Bae Hun Lee(Department of Feed Science and Technology, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Jalil Ghassemi Nejad(Department of Feed Science and Technology, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University)
• Kyung Il Sung(Department of Feed Science and Technology, College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) Corresponding author