PSXII-12 Dietary flavors and rumen bioactive additives increased feed intake and lactation performance of high-yield Holstein cows during early lactation period. (7th December 2018) - Wang, H
Abstract: Feed intake and nutrient utilization are crucial for health and overall lactation performance in high-yield dairy cows, especially during early lactation period. The current study investigated effect of inclusion of a flavour and rumen bioactive additives in total mixed rations (TMR) on cow dry matter (DM) intake, lactatation performance and health related blood parameters. Total 30 multiparous Holstein cows in the early peripartum were assigned to three groups (n=10) based on previous lactation performance. After calving the cows were fed with the one of following diets for 10 weeks: 1) a control TMR (CON); 2) CON plus 3 g/d/cow Luctarom containing a fennel herbaceous flavour with sweet taste (FLV); 3) CON plus 80 g/d/cow Luctarom containing a herbalmilk flavour and rumen bioactive agents (FLV+BIO). Lactation performance and body weight data, milk and blood samples were collected. Milk quality, fatty acids composition and general health related blood parameters were analyzed and compared. From the study it was found that inclusion of FLV or FLV+BIO increased DM intake by 4.2% or 8.9% (P<0.05) respectively. FLV+BIO also resulted in increased milk yield (P<0.05) compared to CON and FLV groups. The additives also increased (P<0.05) milk protein and lactose without affecting milk fat and major fatty acid composition. General health related blood parameters were in normal ranges for healthy cows. FLV increased (P<0.05) blood cholesterol and urea nitrogen but decreased (P<0.05) blood triglyceride and total protein, whereas FLV+BIO increased (P<0.05) blood albumin and cholesterol but decreased (P<0.05) triglycerides. In conclusion, as feed additives included in TMR for high-yield cows during the early lactation period, Luctarom containing fennel herbaceous flavour tended to increase DM intake and improve milk yield and quality, whereas Luctarom containing herbalmilk flavour and additional rumen bioactive agents further increased DM intake and milk yield. Key Words: