Low milk fat syndrome in dairy cows. Field trial with potential fat content increasing substances
Pehrson, B.; Widell, S.
Nordisk Veterinaermedicin 27(4): 213-219
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-1579 PMID: 1144017 Document Number: 88348
75 cows from herds with low milk fat content were divided into 3 groups. Group A received 50 g NaHCO3, 50 g MgO, 50 g urea and 100 g sodium bentonite (mixed in 250 g carrier consisting mainly of wheat meal and oat bran) in addition to concentrates, per cow/day; B received similar rations without the bentonite; and C were controls. At the end of the 6-8 wk experiment, 4%-FCM yields had fallen more in the test groups (especially A) than in the controls. In a 2nd experiment involving 103 cows, feeding 150 g NaHCO3 and 100 g MgO in 250 g carrier slightly raised milk fat content and significantly improved milk yields in comparison to controls. Over 3-6 wk, daily FCM yields rose 0.66 kg in the test group but fell by 1.32 kg in the controls, a difference of 1.98 kg.