Effect of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) herb on feed intake, milk yield and composition and reproductive performance of lactating cows

A study was conducted on fifteen crossbred cows with milk yield of 7.33 kg and BW of 390 kg divided into three treatment groups viz. T₁ (Control group) fed 0 % Shatavari+10 kg green fodder and ad libitum wheat straw; T₂ group fed Shatavari at 150 mg per kg body weight plus 10 kg green fodder and wheat straw ad libitum and T₃ group fed Shatavari at 200 mg per kg live body weight plus 10 kg green fodder and ad libitum wheat straw for 120 days and concentrate was offered to all as per requirements of lactating cows. Daily DMI intake (per cent of body weight) was significantly higher in the T₃ (3.01) and T₂ (2.91) groups compared to the T₁ (2.42) group. A similar trend was observed in CP, DCP and TDN intake. Milk yield (kg/d) was significantly higher in T₃ (9.40) and T₂ (8.99) than in the T₁ (7.79) group. Similarly, the 4% FCM yield was significantly higher in the T₃ group than in the T₁ group. The fat, protein, SNF and TS in the milk of the T₃ and T₂ groups were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the control (T₁) group. Supplementation of Shatavari in the ration of lactating cows resulted in a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the first postpartum oestrus period, service period (days) and service per conception in dairy cows. It can be concluded that supplementation of Shatavari at 150 to 200 mg/ kg body weight in the diet of lactating cows enhanced the milk yield and composition and improved the reproductive performance of lactating crossbred cows.