Replacement of Liquorice Pulp in Diets of Holstein-Friesian Cows Under Heat Stress Conditions: 1. Effect on Body Temperature, Feed Intake, Milk Production and Milk Components

Abstract

Abstract Eight Holstein-Friesian pregnant cows were used to study the effects of replacement of liquorice pulp as 15% in the concentrate diet on body temperature, body weight, feed intake, milk production and milk components. Cows were divided randomly into two equal groups using a completely randomized design CRD. The experimental cows were introduced to the diets one month prior to the expected date of birth and continued 45 days after calving. The cows were fed the roughage diet ad- libitum based on 2% of body weight as DM. However, the concentrate diets were fed according to their requirements for milk production. The results showed no significant differences (P≤0.05) in average body temperatures and were 39 ͦ C in both the control and treatment groups. No significant differences (P≤0.05) were observed in the body weights of cows before and after calving in both the control and the treatment cows and were 627.37, 572.56 and 662.62, 591.9 kg, respectively. However, results showed significant differences (P≤0.01), (P≤0.05) before and after calving in average roughage consumption and the results were 7.05, 6.53, 8.60, 8.23 kg DM/ day for the control and treatment respectively. No significant differences (P≤0.05) were noticed in average daily milk production ( Kg ) and percentages of protein, lactose, ash and solids non-fat and the results were 22.24, 24.16, 3.26, 3.18, 4.87, 4.68, 0.73, 0.71 and 8.89, 8.70% for the control and treatment groups respectively. In addition, a significant increase (P≤0.05) were found in milk fat percentage and total solids in the control compared with the treatment diet and the results were 4.03, 3.58 and 12.70, 11.97%, respectively. It can be concluded that liquorice pulp can be safely used at 15% with the concentrate diet without adversely affecting the performance of lactating dairy cows.