Effect of added sodium bicarbonate to local Friesian cows rations on productive and economic efficiency of milk

Abstract

Three non pregnant local Friesian dairy cows were used in this study at cow farm of Technical Agricultural College, cowswere at same live weights, third production season and during first month of calving, they were divided into three groups.Second and third group were reared on standard ration supplemented with 100 or 200 g. of sodium bicarbonate /cow /day,respectively, while the first group reared on standard ration only. Cows were fed individually on basal ration according todeveloping of body weight and milk production during three periods (28 days/period). The experiment was a 3x3 Latin squaredesign. Milk samples were collected and examined to measure some of milk components after measured milk yield. Theresults indicated that feed intake, normal and adjusted milk yield, fat%, value of ration /kg for normal milk and milk adjustedwere increased significantly (P≤0.05) in 3rd group as compared to those in the 1st group. It is concluded that using 200 g ofsodium bicarbonate per cow per day had improved milk production and fat percentage of milk and reduced milk cost.