Alternative Feed Sources in Response to Climate Change and Their Impact on Milk Production in Dairy Cows
Keywords:
alternative feed, dairy cows, linseed cake, milk thistle cake, oilseed by-products, pumpkin seed cakeAbstract
Climate change and the increasing frequency of droughts over recent decades have significantly affected the availability of traditional forage crops in Central and Eastern Europe, leading to higher production costs and reduced profitability of dairy farms. In this context, the volatility of imported raw material prices and the instability of conventional forage supply make it necessary to diversify feeding sources by exploiting alternative ingredients with local availability and demonstrated nutritional value. This review critically analyses the nutritional potential of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) cake, pumpkin seed (Cucurbita pepo L.) cake and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) meal, evaluating their effects on milk production and composition, dry matter intake and digestibility in dairy cows, as well as the economic implications of their integration into rations. Milk thistle cake is distinguished by its silymarin content, a flavonolignan complex with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties, with favourable effects on peripartum metabolic health and the improvement of milk composition. Pumpkin seed cake, rich in crude protein and unsaturated fatty acids, can completely replace soybean meal without negatively affecting productive performance, while also contributing to the improvement of the antioxidant status of animals. Linseed meal exerts the strongest documented effects on the lipid profile of milk, significantly enriching the omega-3 fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid fractions, with direct benefits for the nutritional value of milk and animal health. The integration of these agro-industrial by-products into dairy cow rations reduces dependence on volatile imported protein markets, valorises local resources within a circular economy framework and stabilises feed costs. The synthesis of available literature confirms the genuine nutritional and economic potential of these alternative sources, recommending them as viable solutions for milk production systems adapted to current climate challenges.
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