Influence of Functional Feed Supplements on the Milk Production Efficiency, Feed Utilization, Blood Metabolites, and Health of Holstein Cows during Mid-Lactation

Shaker B. AlSuwaiegh, Abdalrahman M. Almotham, Yousef Mohammad Alyousef, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour and Adham A. Al-Sagheer
Additional contact information
Shaker B. AlSuwaiegh: Department of Animal and Fish Production, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 402, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Abdalrahman M. Almotham: Department of Animal and Fish Production, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 402, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Yousef Mohammad Alyousef: Department of Animal and Fish Production, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 402, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Abdallah Tageldein Mansour: Department of Animal and Fish Production, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 402, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Adham A. Al-Sagheer: Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: A 70-day feeding trial was performed to assess the effect of feeding a mixture of functional feed supplements (FFS; contains encapsulated cinnamaldehyde, condensed tannins, capsaicin, piperine, and curcumin) during mid-lactation on the milk production and composition, feed intake, and blood profile of multiparous dairy cows. Sixty Holstein dairy cows (116.1 ± 17.1 days in milk, 606 ± 9.3 kg BW, and 45.73 ± 6.7 kg/d milk production) were distributed into two trial groups: control (CON: n = 30), which received a basal diet; and FFS ( n = 30) treatment, which received a basal diet fortified with the FFS at a rate of 35 g/day/head. The results revealed that daily milk production ( p = 0.01) and solids-not-fat yield ( p = 0.05) were significantly higher in dairy cows that had received FFS compared with the control group. In addition, the 3.5% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, lactose and protein yields, and milk energy output tended to be higher ( p ≤ 0.10) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during the experimental period. Significant treatment x period interactions were identified ( p ≤ 0.02) with respect to feed efficiency and somatic cell count. Dry matter intake tended to be greater ( p = 0.064) in dairy cattle that consumed FFS during weeks 0–2 and 2–4 of the trial period. Most serum biochemical parameters were not changed ( p ≥ 0.114) between FFS and control cows. However, a greater concentration of serum albumin ( p = 0.007) was observed in cows fed diets supplemented with FFS. In summary, supplementing FFS to lactating Holstein cows during mid-lactation was associated with enhanced lactation performance, feed efficiency, and a tendency to increase feed intake, with no obvious adverse effects.

Keywords: dairy cattle; milk production; blood; phytogenic feed additives; Actifor ® Pro (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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