Effect of Herbal Mixture Supplementation on Methane Emission and Milk Production in Cattle

Twelve crossbred cows (KF, 2^nd and 3^rd lactation) in their early lactation having similar body weight and milk yield were distributed into 2 groups of 6 each and fed individually according to their nutritional requirements, however, herbal mixture (1000 ppm) was supplemented in treatment group ration. Both the groups were offered green fodder ad lib and total DMI and milk yield were recorded daily during the experimental period of 90 days. In middle of the experiment, digestibility trial of 7 days was conducted to estimate nutrient digestibility. During same period methane emissions were determined using SF₆ tracer technique. Immunity status of the animals was checked by estimating total Ig level in the blood. Supplementation of herbal mixture did not affect the body weight, daily feed intake and digestibility of various nutrients significantly. Milk yield and milk composition were also not affected by the dietary supplementation of herbal mixture. However methane emission (g/d) decreased (P<0.01) in experimental group. Methane emission/kg DMI was reduced by 20% following the supplementation of herbal mixture as the values for control group and experimental group were 22.67 and 18.46 g/kg DMI, respectively and variation between groups was significant (P<0.01). It was concluded that supplementation of herbal mixture @ 1000 ppm/kg DM to the lactating crossbred cows reduced the methane emission significantly and also improved (P<0.05) the immunity status of dairy cows.