Effect of feeding rice bran lyso-phospholipids and rumen protected fat on feed intake, nutrient utilization and milk yield in crossbred cows

In vivo studies were conducted to observe the effect of feeding rice bran lyso-phospholipids (RBLP) and rumen protected fat (RPF) in 18 crossbred lactating Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal) cows. They were randomly allocated to 3 treatment groups having 6 animals in each group. Group 1 was supplemented with 2.5% mustard oil, group 2 with 6% RBLP and group 3 with 3% RPF in the concentrate mixture. All the 3 diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. All the cows were given roughage: concentrate mixture (60: 40) ration and roughage comprised of berseem fodder (30%) and wheat straw (30%) as per requirements. Lactating Karan Fries cows averaging 12 +/- 2.5 kg of milk, 100 +/- 9 days in milk and 400 +/- 15 kg live weight, were stratified for milk yield, clays in milk, age, stage of lactation and body weight. The dry matter intake (DMI) averaged 12.14, 11.77 and 11.88 kg/d in groups 1-3, respectively. The intake and digestibility of nutrients were not affected by different treatments, whereas the digestibility of EE increased by the supplementation of RBLP in the diet of cows. Milk yield remained unaltered, while 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yield increased as a result of adding RBLP and RPF due to significant increase in fat per cent in the milk of groups 2 and 3 cows. The protein, lactose, total solids, and solids-not-fat were not affected by dietary treatments. The proportion of milk total unsaturated fatty acids' production was increased in groups 2 and 3. The cost of feeding lactating cows in terms of (sic)/kg milk and 4% FCM was 10.24, 8.83, 9.67 and 9.40, 7.88, 8.72 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Cows fed RBLP were more economical by 15.97 and 9.51% to produce whole milk and 19.30 and 10.70% to produce FCM in comparison to groups 1 and 3 cows, respectively. It was inferred that RBLP can be used @ 6% in the ration of dairy cows without any adverse effect on digestibility of nutrients and milk production and it can also replace the costlier sources of energy i.e. mustard oil and RPF in the diet of lactating animals.