Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

Author(s):
Parteek Kr. Khera, J Hussain, JP Bordoloi, J Saharia, AK Gohain, T Borpuzari, L Borah and Sudhanya Nath

Abstract:
The present investigation was done to study the effect of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on the performance of lactating crossbred cows. Twelve crossbred cows were divided into two groups viz. control (T0) and treatment (T1) with 6 cows in each group. The cows in each group were in uniform parity and same stage of lactation. Cows of both the groups were fed standard diet (NRC, 2001) consisted of concentrate, green fodder and paddy straw with supplementation of Satomul @ 100 gm daily in the treatment group for a period of 6 weeks. The parameters studied were dry matter (DM) intake, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), daily milk yield (DMY), milk composition and cost of milk production. The T1 group consumed significantly (p<0.01) more DM (9.68±0.17 kg) than the T0 group (9.11±0.12 kg). The overall average DMY was 7.72±0.11 and 8.74±0.16 litres in T0 and T1 groups. There was highly significant difference of DMY due to feeding of Shatavari respectively (p<0.01). However, body weight did not differ significantly (p>0.05). The overall average BCS of T0 and T1 groups was 3.41±0.05 and 3.51±0.07, respectively and they differed significantly (p<0.05). The overall average fat, solid-not-fat (SNF), protein, lactose and total solids (TS) was 4.32±0.11 and 4.99±0.09; 8.89±0.06 and 8.93±0.07; 3.41±0.03 and 3.54±0.05; 4.67±0.04 and 4.68±0.05 and13.21±0.14 and 13.92±0.12 percent in T0 and T1 groups, respectively. The treatment with Shatavari had significant effect on milk fat (p<0.01), protein (p<0.05) and TS (p<0.05). The variation of acidity of the milk was non-significant (p>0.05) between T0 (0.140±0.004%) and T1 (0.147±0.003%). The average daily feed cost in the T0 and T1 was Rs. 111.03 and 153.31, respectively. The daily net income per cow was Rs. 274.99 and 283.70 in T0 and T1 groups, respectively. The study revealed that feeding Shatavari had beneficial effect on dairy cows in respect of milk production and BCS. Rs.