Efficacy of clinoptilolite supplementation on milk yield and somatic cell count

Abstract

Objective. To determine the efficiency of clinoptilolite supplements on milk production and somatic cell count (SCC). Materials and methods. 80 Holstein–Friesian cows were used, between 2 and 4 years of age ad between their first and third lactation. Two groups made up of 40 animals were constituted, and one of the following treatments were assigned randomly: Control group (n=40) with a basal diet, and experimental group (Clinoptilolite; n=40) with a basal diet + 3% (p/p) of clinoptilolite. The basal diet consisted of corn, hay, sunflower flour, barley grains, wheat bran and soy flour. The experiment lasted 16 weeks (February to June 2013) and began 4 weeks before the expected delivery date. 2560 milk samples were taken (morning and evening), and the farm was visited twice a week. Results. The mean values for the control group and the clinoptilolite group were 30.63±0.851 and 33.66±0.756, respectively. Milk prouction for the clinoptilolite group was higher than that of the control group (p<0.01). SCC for the control and clinoptilolite groups was 5.06±0.045 and 4.79±0.011, respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions. Supplementing with 3% (p/p) clinoptilolite in dairy cows increases milk production and decreases somatic cell count.

Keywords

• Diet
• feeding
• milk yield
• zeolita