Glycerol as a Feed Supplement for Dairy Cows

Researchers at South Dakota State University have evaluated the effects of drenching or feeding glycerol as treatment for ketosis that occurs in many cows after calving. Ketosis occurs after calving due to reduced feed intake, greater glucose demands for milk production, mobilization of body fat to meet milk production needs, and impaired liver function, which results in metabolic disorders (fatty livers and ketosis). A Latin square designed experiment was conducted with the following treatments: 1) control-no glycerol; 2) fed one kg of a 80% glycerol solution; 3) drenched one kg glycerol solution in one liter of water; and 4) tube-delivered one kg glycerol solution in nine liter of water. Blood and rumen digesta samples were obtained to assess the metabolic effects of the treatments. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were significantly increased with the drenched and tubed glycerol treatments compared to the control treatment. These results indicated that glycerol increased plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin and is dependent upon rapid delivery.

Linke, P. and co-workers. 2006. Glycerol from soy diesel production as a feed supplement to lactating dairy cow. Midwest Section of American Dairy Science Association Meetings, March 20-22, Des Moines, IA.