Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
ISSN: Online 1993-601XISSN: Print 1680-5593
Abstract
According to the principle of similar milk yield, parturition numbers, lactation day and body weight, 15 early- and 15 mid-lactation Holstein cows were chosen and randomly allocated to three groups in pairs. The dairy cows in group 1 (control group) were fed basic diet, group 2 and 3 were fed fresh alfalfa 2.5 and 5 kg (DM basis), respectively in addition to the basic diet. The results showed that by supplementing fresh alfalfa DMI of dairy cows could be increased; fresh alfalfa had the trend of increasing higher milk density, milk fat, milk protein and SNF. The milk density of group 2 (26.53±0.62%) was higher (p<0.05) than group 3 (24.95±1.50%) in the early lactation and that of group 1 (25.91±1.08%) and group 2 (26.22±0.52%) were higher (p<0.05) than group 3 (24.96±0.98%) in the middle lactation; fresh alfalfa had no effect on the proportions of C12:0-C16:0 (p>0.05) but could enhance the level of UFA, especially the proportion of UFA in milk. For the dairy cows in either early or middle lactation, C18:2 and C18:3 in group 2 or 3 was higher than that of group 1 (p>0.05). It was also found that the better supplementary level of fresh alfalfa was 2.5 kg/head/day. The high level of fresh alfalfa could increase the level of BUN significantly (p<0.05).
How to cite this article:
Liu Dewen, Lian Hongxia, Fu Tong and Gao Tengyun. Effects of Fresh Alfalfa on Performance and the Composition of Fatty Acids in Milk of Dairy Cows.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/javaa.2012.300.303
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1680-5593/javaa.2012.300.303