Milk production analysis after supplementing Calotropis gigantea leaf silage to dairy cows

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the milk production after supplementing Calotropis gigantea (Giant milkweed, GM) silage as a new functional feed additive for ruminants. Cows refused to eat GM plants so, we processed it into silage before feeding. After ensiling, six ruminally cannulated dairy cows were assigned to two treatment groups (GM silage supplementation treatment and control without GM silage supplementation) in a cross over design. Repeated sampling of milk and rumen fluid was carried out on the last days of the third and fourth week after treatment. Ensiling GM increased the crude proteins, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber while ash was unchanged. There was no dry matter intake (DMI) when supplementing GM forage to the cows, DMI and milk yield returned to normal conditions but feed efficiency, milk protein, milk fat and lactose slightly increased when supplementing GM silage. Rumen protozoa genera such as Entodinium, Ophryoscolex, Eudiplodinium, Dasytricha and Isotricha were maintained. A dose effect study remained to be carried out to identify an effective dose that could bring significant enhancement of the animal production after supplementing GM silage. This study revealed that the silage form of GM can be a new source of proteins for dairy cows and an appropriate dose could potentially induce some improvement of the milk production and composition. Therefore, the plant will not continue to be perceived as an invasive weed but as a new forage to be integrated into the cow’s diet.

Keywords

• calotropis gigantea
• silage
• milk production
• rumen protozoa