Effect of balanced mineral supplements on milk productivity of cows

Abstract

The implementation of the genetic potential of cows is primarily related to the usefulness of providing cows with nutrients, including trace elements, during lactation. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the optimal doses of mineral supplements of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and cobalt (Co) in the diet of dairy cattle by lactation phases and evaluate the economic efficiency of their use. To achieve this goal, a scientific and economic experiment was conducted, for the organisation of which 5 subgroups of cows were formed, 10 individuals each – group 1, which was the control, and 4 experimental groups. According to the experiment design, animals of different groups were fed different amounts of mixed ligand complexes of Zn, Mn, and Co. During the experiment, productivity, dry matter consumption, metabolism, and economic efficiency were evaluated. Based on experimental studies of the use of mineral supplement complexes of Zn, Mn, and Co, in comparison with their sulphate salts, it was found that during the first 100 days of lactation, optimal for highly productive individuals were doses in one kg of dry matter of the feed mixture: Zn – 60.8 mg; Mn – 60.8 mg; Co – 0.78 mg, which were provided by their mixed ligand complexes and which were lower by 20% of the recommended ones and led to an increase in milk productivity of cows by 15%, and profit – by 47%. In the second 100 days of lactation, the best productivity indicators were found in cows that consumed a feed mixture in which the concentration in one kg of dry matter was: Zn – 35 mg, Mn – 35 mg, and Co – 0.4 mg due to the introduction of mixed ligand complexes of trace elements. The advantage of animals in this group over the control group in terms of milk productivity was 18%, in terms of profit – 29%. In the last 100 days of lactation, the best performance indicators were in cows with a dry matter content of Zn – 35 mg, Mn – 35 mg, Co – 0.4 mg per kg of feed mixture. They exceeded the control in terms of milk yield by 9%, and profit – by 42%. Thus, it is proved that highly productive cows require different concentrations of trace elements during lactation. It is proved that due to the introduction of balanced mineral supplements in the diet, the optimal amount of trace elements is less than the use of inorganic compounds, which has a positive effect on the environment by reducing the content of these minerals in manure