Effect of probiotics and plant extract feed additives on performance of dairy cows

Abstract

This study was conducted at the National Livestock Resources Research Institute in Wakiso district, Uganda to evaluate the effect of lactic acid bacteria and plant extracts on the performance of lactating dairy cows. A completely randomized design was used to allocate six lactating Viking Jersey dairy cows in their late lactation (7 months in milk) and two animals were allocated per dietary treatment. Treatments included (i) control (TMR plus ordinary water), (ii) the control treatment plus Trypi additive included in drinking water (iii) the control treatment plus the Rojo feed additive included in drinking water. For treatment (ii), 960 grams of Trypi was mixed in 240 litres of water to provide 4 grams of Trypi per litre of water. For treatment (iii), 12 tablets of Rojo were dissolved in 240 litres of water. RojoTic contained different living microorganisms which include; Bacillus Subtils, Bacillus Licheniformus, Bacillus Pumilus, and Bacillus Megatrium whereas Trypi is organic in nature and contained plant extracts. The total mixed ration (TMR) fed comprised (%): Maize silage (60), Grass hay (2), spent grain (26.6), Rice bran (3), Soybean meal (7), Vitamin premix (0.1), Limestone (0.42) and Salt (0.2) and the trial lasted for a period of 28 days. Assessed parameters in this trial included; feed and water intake, milk yield, milk composition and economics of feeding these additives. Results showed that intake increased significantly (P<0.05) with inclusion of additives than in the control. Animals fed on Trypi additive out competed those on Rojo at a range of 1.6 kg and 2.3L of DM and water respectively. Milk yield varied significantly (P<.0001) with higher total milk yield in cows fed additives than those in the control ( 8.3L, 7.3L and 6.2L) for Trypi additive, Rojo additive and control respectively. Milk composition varied significantly with inclusion of feed additive. Fat ,total solids, lactose, Aciditydornic, AciditTtherner and FFA were higher with inclusion of feed additive (P<.0001) than in the control whereas Casein, protein, Ureamg100ml and UreamgL slightly decreased with inclusion of feed additive . There was an increment in the gross margin from milk sales with both additive inclusions. Trypi additive made the highest margin (2855shs) followed by Rojo additive (1904 shs) and the control made the lowest (1084 shs)