Effect of Using Glauconite and Sepiolite Minerals with Vegetable Oil in Dairy Cattle Concentrate Feeds on Pellet Quality Criteria

OpenAlex · English

Pellet feeds formulated for ruminants have utilized the binding properties of clay minerals extensively. However, this is the first scientific study to address the use of glauconite in pellet formulation. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of glauconite and sepiolite on pellet quality criteria, together with the use of vegetable oil in dairy cattle concentrates. Pellet concentrate feeds were produced in 7 batches (each batch 100 kg). The study was carried out in two different ways. Firstly, First, during pellet production, the minerals (sepiolite and glauconite) were added at levels of 1% and 2% without the addition of oil. Second, vegetable oil was incorporated into the concentrates at 1% and 2% levels, with an additional 1% added during pelleting. In both experiments, the experiment consisted of 1 control and 4 experimental groups. At the end of the experiment, when oil was added, the difference between the groups in pellet dry matter level in pellet feed for dairy cattle was statistically significant due to the addition of sepiolite and glauconite. However, when vegetable oil was not added, the pellet dry matter level was not statistically affected. In dairy cattle, the difference between the groups in pelleted feeds with and without added vegetable oil in terms of pellet dry matter level (only when oil was added), pellet durability index, and pellet water activity values was statistically affected by sepiolite and glauconite additions. Glauconite combined with oil led to a notable increase in the dry matter content of pellets (P