Effect of Dietary Supplements Farmatan TM and Pine Tree Energy on the Regulation of Ruminal Digestion and Microbiocenosis of Lactating Black and White Cows

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplements on ruminal digestion and intestinal microbiocenosis of lactating cows. The study was carried out under production conditions on three groups of new black-and-white heifers (10 heads each). Mean live weight of cows was 500±20 kg. The cows of the control group received a basic diet, which included haylage of perennial grasses, corn silage, legume hay, concentrate feed, and molasses. Cows of the experimental groups, in addition to the basal diet (BD), received the Farmatan TM supplement (consists of a balanced combination of tannins, essential oils of clove and cinnamon, sodium acetate, and organic zinc) at a dose of 40 g. head-1 per day (experimental group 1) and a pine tree energy supplement at a dose of 150 g. head-1 per day (experimental group 2). The supplement was mixed with concentrate feed and given once in the morning feeding. In the course of the study, the parameters of ruminal fermentation in experimental animals and the microorganisms of the rumen and the large intestine were studied. At the same time, it was found that the inclusion of the Farmatan TM feed additive (40 g per day) and pine tree energy supplement (150 g per day) in the diet of cows at the beginning of lactation contributed to the strengthening of enzymatic processes in the rumen, which was expressed in an increase in the formation of volatile fatty acids by 7.6 and 20.3%, an increase in the proportion of propionic acid and a slight decrease in the proportion of acetic and butyric acids. When using feed additives (Farmatan TM and pine tree energy supplement), a decrease in the content of Clostridium in the rumen of cows was noted by 26.3 and 30.3% in the 1st and 2nd experimental groups, respectively, compared with the control group. In cows of the experimental groups, a decrease in the content of molds and yeast-like fungi in the rumen was also noted. The results obtained allow recommending the studied additives (Farmatan TM and pine tree energy supplement) to enhance enzymatic processes in the rumen.