Evaluation of the quality of cow’s milk when using a mineral feed additive

¹ Mari State University, Lenin Square 1, Yoshkar-Ola city, 424000, Russia
² Udmurt State Agricultural University, Studencheskaya street 11, Izhevsk city, 426069, Russia

^* Corresponding author: smolentsev82@mail.ru

Abstract

Optimal cow feeding is the basis for successful dairy production, since feed costs can be up to half the cost of milk. An effective feeding program should achieve several goals: planned milk productivity, increased consumption of dry matter and improved functioning of the rumen microflora. Feed additives that affect the animal’s body play an important role in the diet, which is expressed in an increase in the average daily weight gain, a decrease in conversion rates and an improvement in metabolic processes. However, it is important to remember that additives alone cannot guarantee high productivity or economic benefits of dairy production. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of the multicomponent feed additive “Felucene” on the hygienic quality and safety of cow’s milk. The experiment was carried out in an educational and experimental farm, where, according to the principle of analogues, two groups of dairy cows of 40 heads each were formed. Both groups received the basic diet adopted by the farm, but the first group additionally received “Felucene” at the rate of 5 g per 1 kg of body weight. The analysis of milk composition and productivity was carried out on the 10th, 30th, 60th and 90th days of the study. The use of Felucene led to a 10% increase in dairy productivity of cows and improved milk quality characteristics: the mass fraction of fat increased by 0.09%, protein — by 0.20%, lactose — by 0.18%. The number of fat globules increased by 22%, and the content of the casein fraction increased by 10%. At the same time, the volume of milk corresponding to Class I in rennet fermentation and thermal stability increased by 18% and 17%, respectively.