We evaluated the influence of different high content pectin sources on feed intake, NDF intake, milk production and composition and ruminal pH of lactating dairy cows with four 3- wk periods. In this experiment eight primiparous early lactating Holstein cows (60 ± 23 days postpartum, weighing 530 ± 60 kg) were assigned into a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were include of 1)10% barely grain, 2)10% sugar beet pulp, 3)10% wheat bran and 4) 10% dried citrus pulp . Each experimental period was 21 days including 14 days adaptation period and 7 days collecting samples. Milk yield recorded daily and milk sample were taken from each milking times during the last 3 days of each period. Milk samples were subjected to analysis for CP, lactose, fat and SNF. There were no differences (p>0.05) in the daily intake of DM (kg/d), and milk yield and composition, among treatments. Similarly, there were no significant differences in ruminal pH between treatment diets (p>0.05).The NDF intake was significantly different between treatments (p<0.05). These data suggest that, the addition of sources of pectin feed stuffs at 10% levels (dry matter basis) of the dairy cow ration instead of cereal grain; will decrease the cost of milk production without any negative effect on dairy cows performance.

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