Effect of dietary fenugreek seed on dairy cow performance and milk characteristics

Abstract

The effect of providing fenugreek seed at 20% of diet dry matter on dairy cow performance and milk characteristics was studied. Feeding fenugreek seed improved profile of functional fatty acids (P < 0.05) in the milk, reduced blood cholesterol concentration (by 4% units more than the control diet) and produced lower concentrations in milk (1.48 vs. 1.83 mg g-1 milk lipid) in a 3-wk study with dairy cows, without altering milk flavour or taste. Therefore, fenugreek seed could be used in dairy rations to improve milk characteristics. Key words: Fenugreek, cholesterol, dairy cows and fatty acids