Abstract
An experiment was conducted on early lactating dairy cows to study the effect of rumen protected choline (RPC) and methionine (RPM) on milk yield and composition. Fifteen crossbred dairy cows in early lactation (within 10 days of calving) were selected and randomly allotted to any one of the following three dietary treatments, T1 (Control)- with compound feed mixture containing CP- 20% and TDN- 68% , T2- T1+20g RPM and 20g RPC, T3- with compound fed mixture containing CP- 17%, TDN- 68% + 20g RPM and 20g RPC. All the experimental animals were fed as per ICAR feeding standards (ICAR, 2013). Results revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in milk yield and 4 per cent fat corrected milk (FCM) yield between the three treatment groups. Among the milk constituents, animals in T3 had significantly higher milk fat (p<0.05), SNF (p<0.05), protein (p<0.05) and total solids (p<0.01) compared to those in T1 and T2. Milk urea nitrogen levels did not differ significantly among the three treatments and were within the normal range. The study showed that milk composition could be effectively improved by supplementing feed with rumen protected forms of choline and methionine in combination at lower dietary protein level without any reduction in milk yield.
Highlights
An experiment was conducted on early lactating dairy cows to study the effect of rumen protected choline (RPC) and methionine (RPM) on milk yield and composition
All the experimental animals were fed according to ICAR, 2013 guidelines with compound feed mixture (CFM) in mash form depending on the treatment group as follows; T1 (Control) - CFM containing crude protein (CP) - 20 per cent, total digestible nutrients (TDN) - 68 per cent, T2- T1+ 20g rumen protected methionine
Consolidated data on fortnightly average milk production and fortnightly average 4 per cent fat corrected milk (FCM) yield of the lactating cows maintained on three treatments T1, T2 and T3 are given in Table 3 and 4, respectively
Summary
Effect of supplementation of rumen protected choline and methionine on milk yield and composition of early lactating dairy cows. An experiment was conducted on early lactating dairy cows to study the effect of rumen protected choline (RPC) and methionine (RPM) on milk yield and composition. The study showed that milk composition could be effectively improved by supplementing feed with rumen protected forms of choline and methionine in combination at lower dietary protein level without any reduction in milk yield. The daily nutrient intake in cows is low and insufficient to meet the demands of milk production and the animal will be in negative energy balance. Fat metabolism can be improved with the help of choline for better energy production. The use of protected choline in the ration would help to spare the methionine, that could be used for milk production
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