Lactation performance and milk quality in crossbred cows fed chromium supplemented ration

Abstract

Lactating crossbred cattle (16) were divided into 4 groups of 4 each to study the effects of varying levels of Cr supplementation on milk yield, milk composition and nutrient utilization in lactating crossbred cattle. The animals were fed on a basal diet comprising the R: C in the ratio of 1: 1.15 and CP levels of 17%. Chromium picolinate was supplemented to animals under different treatments. DMI/100 kg body weight and per kg metabolic body size among the treatment groups given chromium picolinate was significantly highest in lactating crossbred cows of T4 compared with control group (without Cr supplementation) but did not differ among the chromium supplemented groups. The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract were not affected by chromium supplementation in the ration. Dietary chromium supplementation tended improvement in milk yield as well as 4% FCM, fat and SNF yields. The milk fat, protein, lactose and gross energy contents also increased in milk of cows supplemented with chromium in the ration however differences were nonsignificant. Higher energetic and nitrogen utilization efficiencies were observed for chromium supplemented groups. The Cr supplementation in ration also increased total unsaturated fatty acid concentration in milk fat of all the chromium supplemented groups and it was significantly higher in T2 (0.5 mg Cr/kg DM supplemented group) than control. Dietary supplementation of chromium in lactating crossbred cows was found crucial in improving milk yield and milk quality in terms of milk constituents and unsaturated fatty acids concentration which in turn would be beneficial for cardiac health of milk consumers.