Comparative evaluation of the impact of feeding live yeast and sodium bicarbonate to high-yielding cows on their productivity and milk quality

Abstract

High productivity of dairy cows is due to genetics, especially during the first phase of lactation and is manifested by appropriate feeding, namely a significant amount of concentrates in their diet. However, such feeding has a significant disadvantage – lowering the pH in the rumen and the development of acidosis. In order to prevent the development of this pathological process, various buffer supplements are introduced into the diet of cows, including live yeast and baking soda. Therefore, the aim of the study was to experimentally evaluate the effect of sodium bicarbonate and live yeast Levucell SC on the productivity and milk quality of dairy cows during the first phase of lactation. During the scientific and economic experiment, the main period of which lasted 76 days, the animals of the control group received a basic diet without feed additives. Cows of the 2nd experimental group to the basic diet were added live yeast Levucell SC in the amount of 1 g/head/day, and the 3rd experimental group – sodium bicarbonate at a dose of 150 g/head/day. According to the results of the experiment, it was noted that the highest milk productivity was recorded in animals of the 2nd experimental group (41.9 kg/day), while in the control this figure was 37.3 kg/day. Changes in productivity and cows of the 3rd experimental group of 39.8 kg / day were positive. A similar trend occurred in the fat content of milk, somatic cell content and bacterial contamination. According to all these indicators, the best results were recorded in cows of the 2nd experimental group, which consumed live yeast. Economic analysis of the results of the experiment showed that despite the very high cost of feed additive Levucell SC, a small dose of its introduction is more profitable than the use of sodium bicarbonate. The additional income from the introduction of Levucell SC in the diet of live yeast at 2022 prices is 95 kopecks, while in the group of cows that consumed sodium bicarbonate, this figure is only 41 kopecks. Key words: live yeast, Levucell SC, sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, milk yield, acidosis.