Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

Eighteen healthy multiparous advanced pregnant Gir cows, identical in body weights (368.19±2.84 kg), parity, and feeding regime, were selected for the study. Feed offered and residues left of an individual animal were measured and recorded for 7 consecutive days to access the dry matter intake and micronutrients imbalance. A micronutrient supplement was designed to take care of the deficient micronutrients and supplemented to Gir cows (n=9) of treatment group, while (n=9) control animals, were fed as per the existing practices of farmers without additional supplementation. Study was continued for 2 months during advanced pregnancy and 2 months post-calving. Dry matter intake recorded weekly during the whole study remained comparable (P>0.05) between two groups. Udder health monitored fortnightly by Modified California Mastitis test, milk pH and Somatic Cell Count indicated improvement (P<0.05) of micronutrients supplementation. Results revealed that average milk yield was increased (P>0.05) by 12.83% in supplemented group without affecting the chemical composition of milk (Fat, TS, SNF, lactose and milk total protein) in Gir cows. These findings may suggest that supplementation of micronutrient in the ration of periparturient Gir cows not only improved the udder health by reducing the occurrence of mastitis but also increased the milk yield without affecting milk quality.