Strategic supplementation of novel feed supplement improved the lactation and reproductive performance in post-partum dairy cows

Abstract

The present experiment aimed to establish the efficacy of dietary inclusion of a novel feed supplement on plane of nutrition, milk yield, and its characteristics, reproductive events and circulating concentrations of reproductive hormones in dairy cows during early lactation. Twelve post-partum crossbred lactating cows were equally and randomly assigned to two dietary treatments for 90 days. The cows in CON (control) group were fed on green fodder and wheat straw-based diet with concentrate mixture, whereas, cows in NFS (Novel Feed Supplement) group were fed according to CON group with additional novel feed supplement @0.25% of BW. A comparative study of plane of nutrition revealed that both DCP and TDN were deficient in CON by 12.0 and 18.99%, respectively, however, it was sufficient in NFS group. The daily and total milk yield (kg), 4% FCM, ECM, fat and protein yields (g/d) were improved in NFS than CON group. The average composition of milk showed no significant difference throughout the study. The supplement fed cows had an evident early return of heat (26.20 d in NFS v/s 42.60 d in CON) with enhanced conception rate (66.7% in NFS v/s 50% in CON). The estradiol concentration (pg/ml) was reduced and progesterone concentration (ng/ml) was enhanced in NFS fed cows. In conclusion, incorporation of the novel feed supplement @0.25% of BW significantly improved the plane of nutrition, milk production and reproduction in lactating crossbred cows during the early post-partum period.