Approbation of identification and correction technology for dairy cows elementosis according to hair elemental composition

Abstract

Abstract. The study is aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a new technology for the diagnosis and correction of dairy cattle elementoses according to the chemical composition of hair, using elementoses of various etiologies. Methodology and methods. The experimental design included two studies: the first is a micropopulation of the Simmental cows with a deficiency of calcium, zinc, selenium and manganese in hair; the second is Black Spotted cows with a significant excess in the established standards for lead and cadmium against the background of a deficiency of calcium, zinc, selenium and copper. Based on a comparison of data after initial analysis of hair according to 25 parameters with physiological norm intervals a mineral premix consisting of organic forms of limited chemical elements was included in the diet for animals in the first and second experiments. In order to optimize lead and cadmium pools, sorbent of heavy metals was additionally included in the diets of experimental animals in the second experiment. Results and practical relevance. Feeding with corrective additives in the diets led to the normalization of elemental status for the vast majority of elements in both experiments. Moreover, cows in the first experiment had an increase in the yield of milk and milk fat by 7.2 % during the lactation period; in the second experiment, an increase in the number of fruitful inseminations was registered, it was accompanied by a decrease of calving interval and service periods by 4.5 and 17.7 %, with an increase in the calf yield. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the elemental profile of dairy cattle was described using distiller’s grain in feeding; the technology for identifying and correction of dairy cattle elementoses based on data of hair elemental composition has been developed in production conditions.