UTILIZATION OF PROBIOTICS "STARBIO" IN THE DIETS OF DAIRY COWS THE EFFECTS ON MILK YIELD AND QUALITY

Abstract

An experiment has been carried out to investigate the effect of probiotics in the diets of dairy cows on the milk yield and quality. The objectives of the experiment were to improve the efficiency of feed utilization through manipulating the fermentative processes of dietary organic matter in the nimen. Twenty lactating Holstein-Friesian grade cows were used in a completely randomized block design. Four dietary treatments were imposed to the individuals which were consisted of (1) a control diet (18% crude protein), (2) a 16% cnide protein ration without
probiotics supplement, (3) a 16% crude protein ration with probiotics starbio supplement at 0.5 and (4) a 16% crude protein ration with probiotics starbio supplement at 1.0%. The concentrate ration was fed at a rate of half of the daily milk production plus one kg if the milk production was less than 20 kg/day, and half of the daily milk production plus two kg for cows producing more than 20 kg milk/day. Concentrate was fed at 0600 h and 1500 h. Napier grass was chopped
and offered at a rate of 50 kg (flesh)/head/day distributed at 0700 h (25 kg), 1600 h (10 kg) and 2100 h (15 kg). A two-week preliminary period was allowed for the cows to adapt to the dietary treatment before data collection was started. Milk production was recorded and the milk quality was analysed for the specific density, pH, cntde protein and fat contents every Wednesdays and Sundays for 8 weeks. Results indicated an increased protein and fat contents of the milk when probiotics was supplemented in the diets, however, there wm no positive response of dietary treatments on the milk yield. It was concluded that lowering the dietary protein content until two percentage units would be beneficial as long as probiotics starbio was supplemented in the diets.