Effect of Supplemental Chromium, Vitamin E and Selenium on Feed Intake, Production Performance and Cost Economics of Holstein Friesian Cows under Heat Stress

To investigate the effect of supplementation of chromium (chromium propionate), vitamin E (σtocopherol) and selenium (sodium selenate) supplementation on DMI, production performance and cost economics a study was carried out for a period of 90d using 24 uniparous lactating Holstein Friesian cows in early stage of lactation under heat stress (75.83±0.22 at 10.00 AM and 80.44±0.85 at 3.30PM). Cows in 1^st parity were randomly allocated to a control group (no supplement; Control), supplemented with vitamin E + selenium (500 IU Vitamin E + 0.3mg selenium per kg DM; VES), chromium propionate (0.5mg chromium per kg DM; CRP), and chromium propionate + vitamin E + selenium (0.5mg chromium per kg DM+ 500 IU Vitamin E+0.3 mg selenium per kg DM; CES) and fed with a total mixed ration (TMR) as basal diet. The supplemented diet improved the DMI. Average daily milk yield (L/d) was 15.73±0.12, 16.04±0.07, 16.14±0.06 and 16.28±0.06 in Control, VES, CRP and CES groups, respectively showing a significant (P<0.05) difference between control and supplemented groups. Milk fat, and energy corrected milk (ECM) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in CES group. Chromium supplemented groups had significantly (P<0.05) greater 4% fat corrected milk (FCM). Profit per day per animal (Rs.) was approximately was 7.08, 10.29, and 14.02 more in CRP, VES and CES groups when compared to the control. The results indicated that though supplementation of vitamin E and selenium alleviated the heat stress in dairy cows but improvement in DMI and milk yield was comparatively greater with chromium supplementation.