Effect of supplementation of polyherbal feed additive on milk production, composition and antioxidant activity in crossbred Jersey Cows at RCDF Cattle farm, Bassi, Jaipur

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of a polyherbal galactagogue feed additive on milk yield, milk composition and antioxidant activity in crossbred Jersey cows maintained at the RCDF Exotic Nucleus Farm, Bassi, Jaipur. Sixteen lactating cows of similar parity, health status, and stage of lactation were randomly allocated to a control group receiving a standard basal ration and a treatment group receiving the same ration supplemented with herbal feed for six weeks. Milk yield was recorded daily, while weekly milk samples were analysed for fat, protein, lactose, solids-not-fat (SNF), fat-corrected milk (FCM), somatic cell count (SCC), and antioxidant activity (DPPH Scavenging Activity). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA.

Supplementation with herbal feed produced a significant increase in mean daily milk yield (5.49 ± 0.27 kg/day) compared with the control (4.77 ± 0.24 kg/day), representing an improvement of 15.08% (p < 0.01). Treated cows also showed a consistent weekly rise in milk fat percentage and significantly higher SNF levels (9.23 ± 0.07% vs. 9.02 ± 0.07%; p < 0.05). Although milk protein, lactose, and ash contents did not differ statistically between groups, the treatment group demonstrated a steady upward trend. FCM yield was significantly higher in supplemented cows (6.09 ± 0.30 kg/day) compared with controls (5.21 ± 0.23 kg/day ; p < 0.05). Notably, Herbal Feed supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in SCC (p <0.05) and a marked improvement in antioxidant activity, as reflected by DPPH scavenging values (p< 0.05).

Overall, the polyherbal formulation enhanced milk yield, improved key quality parameters, strengthened antioxidant status, and supported better udder health without adverse effects on milk composition. These findings indicate that prepared polyherbal supplement is a promising natural feed additive for improving productive performance and milk quality in crossbred dairy cows under field conditions.