Influence of peripartum dietary supplementation of choline and fat in protected form on production performance of Gir cows

Abstract

In this experiment, the effects of supplementing choline and fat in rumen protected form during peripartum period on feed intake, milk production and composition of Gir cows were studied. Twenty four Gir cows of 1st to 3rd parity were used from 30 days pre-partum through 60 days post-partum and randomly assigned to four equal treatment groups (n=6) on the basis of their parity, body weight and previous lactation yield. Control diet was fed to cows in group T1 (control). Additionally, rumen protected choline (RPC) @45 g/d in group T2; rumen protected fat (RPF) 80 g/d in group T3 and RPC @45 g/d + RPF @80 g/d in group T4 were supplemented along with control diet. The treatments significantly affected dry mater intake (DMI) and milk production of cows. DMI was increased in the cows fed with RPC as compared to control. Milk yield, 4% fat-corrected milk, solid-corrected milk and energy- corrected milk were higher in the cows fed with RPC and RPF alone or in combination, as compared to control. No synergistic effect was observed with these supplements on DMI or milk production. None of these supplements influenced the milk composition significantly, however yield of milk fat, protein and lactose were higher in all the nutrient supplemented cows compared to control. Net return over feed cost was higher in supplemented cows compared to control. Results indicated that supplementation of RPC or RPF can improve feed intake and productive performance of Gir cows for overall economic benefits.