Biotechnology techniques in animal nutrition for improving quality indicators of beef and dairy products

Abstract

Providing the population with sufficient high-quality agricultural products is crucial for agricultural science and practice. The study presents the research results of investigating the biotechnology technique of making haylage and managing the haylage-based diets influencing the cattle performance and the quality of the obtained dairy and beef products. In the on-farm experiment, alfalfa haylage was laid in control and experimental trenches. The “Lacsil” product was introduced at 1.0 L per 15.0 tons of green mass into the experimental trench. Lacsil is a biological preservative (inoculant) for forage ensilage and a probiotic supplement for animals. To assess milk production, cows were divided into experimental and control groups, with ten cows in each group. For beef production assessment, the groups were formed with 15 steers in each group. The study has shown that feeding significantly affects animal performance indices. The research assessed the quality of the muscle and fat tissues: the experimental group improved nutritional value and had better physical and chemical properties compared with the control group. The cows fed the Lacsil inoculated alfalfa haylage had higher milk quantity and quality indices; for the 6-month lactation period, the difference in milk yield was 437 kg compared with the control group. The experimental group showed higher protein-milk and fat-milk indices. The study found that the inoculated haylage improved both slaughter and beef indicators in steers. The study reports higher indices of slaughter weight (by 10.6 kg, P < 0.05), carcass weight (9.8 kg, P < 0.05) and beef nutritional value.