The use of energy-protein supplement increases performance of high-yielding dairy cows and improves health-promoting properties of milk

Abstract

Lipid additives are of particular importance in the diet of high-yielding dairy cows. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a specially designed energy-protein supplement on dairy cows’ performance and milk composition. The experiment was conducted on 24 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows fed total mixed ration. Two kilograms of energy-protein supplement/cow.day were added to the ration for one group of cows whereas the other was fed solely the total mixed ration. The supplement consisted of whole flax seeds, wheat bran, flaxseed and fish oils, and rapeseed cake and its composition is protected by a patent. Feed intake and daily milk yield were recorded automatically for each cow. Gross milk composition and fatty acid profile of milk were determined. An ANOVA was performed to determine the influence of the supplement on performance traits and milk composition. Energy-protein supplement had a positive impact on dry matter intake and milk yield of cows. It had a little effect on the gross milk composition and somatic cell count. The effect of the additive on fatty acids in milk was beneficial, therefore its use in high-yielding dairy cows nutrition is recommended to improve health-promoting properties of milk.