Effect of feeding molasses based multi-nutrient liquid supplement on lactation performance, nutrient utilization and blood metabolic profile of crossbred cows

An experiment was conducted to assess the lactation performance and intake and digestibility of nutrients of mid-lactating crossbred dairy cows fed with molasses based multi-nutrient liquid supplement (MMLS). Eighteen mid-lactating cows were divided into three groups (T₁, T₂ and T₃) with 6 cows in each group on the basis of body weight and milk yield. Cows were fed concentrate mixture, green fodder and wheat straw. T₁ group was fed basal diet without MMLS, T₂ and T₃ groups were fed MMLS replacing 15 and 30% concentrate mixture, respectively. MMLS feeding did not show any significant change (P>0.05) in average intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and Acid detergent fibre (ADF) as compared to control. The ether extract (EE) intake of MMLS fed groups was lower (P<0.05) due to high EE content of concentrate mixture as compared to MMLS. The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF was comparable (P>0.05) among all three groups. MMLS feeding did not show any significant change in lactation performance of the animals. The fortnightly DMI, body weight changes and blood metabolic profile were also found to be comparable among the groups. The data indicated that there was no adverse effect on nutrient intake and digestibility, lactation performance, DMI, body weight changes and blood metabolic profile due to feeding of MMLS to mid-lactating dairy cows replacing up to 30% of concentrate mixture.

⓿ Lactation performance, nutrient digestibility of mid-lactation cows fed with molasses based multi-nutrient liquid supplement.

⓿ Effect of molasses based multi-nutrient liquid supplementation on blood profile of lactating cows.