Ali et al
Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 3 (11), pp. 762-768, November 2013.
ISSN: 2276-7770 © 2011 Greener Journals
Research
Paper
Manuscript Number: EB11091313
Effect of Different Levels of Organic Acids Supplementation on Feed Intake, Milk Yield and Milk Composition of Dairy Cows during Thermal Stress
Amjed Ali1, Sarzamin Khan*1, Muhammad Mobashar1,
Muhammad Inam1, Iftikhar Ahmed1, Nazir Ahmed Khan1 and Mubarak Ali2, 3, Hamayun Khan4
1Department of Poultry Science, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan.
2Animal Nutrition Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700, AH Wageningen,
the Netherlands.
3Wageningen UR Livestock Research, P.O. Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, the Netherlands.
4Department of Animal Health, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.
*Corresponding Author’s Email: dr.zaminaup @ gmail.com
Abstract:
In many developing countries in the tropics, thermal stress
results in lower feed intake, changes in energy metabolism,
alterations in endocrine profiles of dairy cows which lead
to animal health problems and production losses.
Supplementation of organic acids can reduce the toxic
metabolites and endocrine changes in the cow’s body during
thermal stress. The present study was conducted at
University Dairy Farm, The University of Agriculture,
Peshawar to determine the effect of supplementing different
levels of organic acids solution in drinking water on the
milk yield, milk composition, milk somatic cell count (SCC),
blood haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) of dairy
cows during thermal stress. The solution of organic acids
was prepared by dissolving 80g citric acid, 90g phosphoric
acid, 50g lactic acid and 10g copper sulphate in one litre
of distilled water. Twelve Holstein Friesian dairy cows
(mid-lactation, 3 to 4 years old) having average body weight
of 400kg were blocked into four groups on the basis of
parity and milk yield. The cows were offered water without
(group A) or with organic acids solution at the rate of 0.5,
1 or 1.5ml per litre of drinking water. The experiment was
continued for 30 days along with two weeks adaptation period
during the summer months of July and August, 2012. The
addition of organic acids to the drinking water increased
(P<0.05) feed intake and milk yield. The addition of organic
acids significantly increased (P<0.05) the percentage of
fat, protein, lactose, solids not fat and total solids in
milk, whereas, the SCC decreased. The blood Hb and PCV
increased (P<0.05) with the use of organic acids in the
drinking water. The results of present research demonstrate
that the using organic acids solution in the drinking water
of dairy cows can maintain animal health and production
during thermal stress and thereby minimizing the production
losses and improve the profitability of the dairy farms.
Keywords: Thermal stress, organic acids, feed intake,
milk yield, milk composition, dairy cow.
Abbreviation: DMI, dry matter intake; Hb, haemoglobin;
PCV, packed cell volume; SNF, solid not fat; TS, total
solids; THI, Temperature Humidity Index.
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