Effect of By-pass Fat Supplementation on the Performance of Sahiwal Dairy Cows

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of by-pass fat supplementation on milk production, composition and weight gain in Sahiwal cows. Twelve dairy cows of same parity, stage of lactation, milk production level and body weight (285‒360 kg) were randomly allotted to four treatments (T0, T1, T2 and T3) in such a way that each group had three animals under Completely Randomized Design. The animals received 250, 350 and 450 g of bypass fat supplementation in T1, T2 and T3 whilst animals in T0 served as control group. All animals were maintained under similar managemental conditions. The data of milk production (daily/individually), milk composition and body weight were recorded weekly. Results revealed that milk production and composition differed significantly (p<0.05) in all groups. The highest milk yield was found in T2 (10.45±0.53 kg) and the lowest (6.93±0.53 kg) in control group that was without by-pass fat supplementation. The T2 and T3 differed nonsignificantly (p<0.05) for milk yield and composition. Bypass fat did not affect the body weight gain significantly (p<0.05) in all groups. The milk cost showed significant differences in all treatments. The lowest cost (Pak Rs. 32.20±2.37) was shown in T2 and the highest (Pak Rs.46.14±2.37) in T3 group. It is concluded that 250 g was the optimum amount of bypass fat supplementation to produce milk economically with high fat percentage. © 2017 Friends Science Publishers