EFFECT OF TAFLA SUPPLEMENTATION ON FEED UTILIZATION, SOME RUMEN PARAMETERS AND NUTRIENTS DIGESTIBILITY OF LACTATING COWS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tafla supplementation on feed intake, nutrients digestibility and rumen parameters of lactating cows. Total of 18 Friesian cows (between 2-4 lactations) at late gestation period (30 days prepartum) were used in this study. Cows were divided into 3 similar groups, (n=6). The 1 group was control (G1), while cows in the G2 and G3 groups were supplemented with 100 and 200 (g/d/h) tafla from 30 days prepartum into 90 days postpartum, respectively. The obtained results showed that, feed intake of CFM and rice straw significantly increase (P≤0.05) by tafla supplementation. Whereas, the average of berseem feed intake did not differ significantly (P≥0.05). There were significantly (P≤0.05) increased in digestion coefficients of CP and CF in G3 than those in both G1 and G2. While no significant effects for experimental treatments on digestion coefficients of DM, OM, EE and NFE. There was no significant effect of dietary tafla supplementation on total digestible nutrients, while it was significantly (P≤0.05) on digestible crud protein, being the higher in G3 and G2 than in G1. Ruminal parameters including pH value and protozoa count in ruminal liquor (RL) of Friesian cows fed different experimental rations at pre and post 2h of feeding did not affected by treatment groups. No significant effect of tafla treatments on rumen liquor NH3-N (mg/100ml), TVFA’s (meq/100ml) concentrations. In general, the present results indicated clear improve in rumen function. In conclusion, treatment of lactating cows 30 days prepartum into 150 days postpartum with tafla supplementation at 200 (g/d/h) recommended to improve feed intake and rumen activity which led to improve lactating cows performance.