Replacing starch with glycerol in lactating cow diets
Mohsen Sahraei Belverdy and Fernando Diaz
Expansion in biodiesel production worldwide has increased glycerol stocks, making this high energy co-product a potential supplement for dairy cows. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, pure glycerol is known as a safe animal feed. Glycerol could improve blood glucose status in cows because it is absorbed through the rumen wall and utilized for glucose synthesis in the liver. Furthermore, it is fermented to propionate in the rumen, a gluconeogenic substrate that increases blood glucose level after absorption.