EFFECTS OF FEEDING DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GUAR MEAL ON PERFORMANCE AND BLOOD METABOLITES IN HOLSTEIN LACTATING COWS
Morteza Salehpour, Khosro Qazvinian
Abstract
A study was carried out to determine the effects of using different levels of Guar meal on performance and blood metabolites in Holstein lactating cows. Sixteen lactating Holstein cows (DIM=95±10) were used in Latin square design with 4 block and 4 repeats. Animal in each group fed 1 of 4 experimental rations. Diets contain 0, 50, 75 and 100 percentage cottonseed meal were replaced with gaur meal. Diets were similar as NEL and crude protein (Iso caloric and iso nitrogenous) on dry basis. Cows were fed with total mixed ration individually. Dry matter intake and milk yields were higher for cows fed with 0% guar meal and lowest for 100 cottonseed meal replaced by guar meal, but no significant difference were found among FCM 4%. Milk fat and protein percentage and yields were highest for 50 % Guar meal, but no significant difference was found between milk lactose and calcium. Milk Urea Nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen were not significantly affected by experimental diets.
