The influence of different feeding rations on cows' health, productivity and the production quality

The aim of this work is to define the influence of different feeding rations on cows' health, productivity and the production quality. The tasks of this work are: - to calculate the amount of nutrients and energy value of the rations cows are fed on. - to compare the productivity and the nutritional value of milk given by the cows which have been fed on different rations. - To evaluate the health status of cows which have been fed on different rations. The methodology. The research was carried out and the material was collected in March-May 2012, in two private farms, located in the side district of Ukmergė. (The farms were called A and B). The aim of the research was to estimate the influence of feeding rations different in the amount of nutrients, energy value and the feeding technology on cows' health, productivity, the production quality and chemical composition of the milk during the first months of lactation. The Lithuanian black and white and the Lithuanian red cattle are the ones dominating in the local herds. In 2012 there were 160 cows on the farm A. The average productivity of the herd was 6993.7 kg of milk, the average fat amount of milk - 3.8 percent and the amount of protein - 3.6 percent. There were 120 cows on the farm B. The average productivity of the herd was 5049.8 kg of milk, the average amount of milk fat - 3.78 percent and the amount of protein - 3.56 percent. The nature of the work is analytical and comparative. The scientific literature analysis, the methods of summarizing and working out the data structure have been used during the work. The Results of the Survey. The results of the survey have shown that the feeding rations of both the farm A and B should be adjusted in order to avoid diet-related diseases. The milk and blood tests have shown that the feeding ration on farm A diet includes the inadequate amount of crude protein and minerals which are necessary for the indoor and the grazing period. Besides, there is no balance between calcium and phosphorus ratio - 0.87: 1 and 2.02:1. the feeding ration on farm B includes insufficient quantities of crude protein and a high calcium and phosphorus ratio of 2, 24:1. It is recommended to adjust the nutrition of feeding rations by changing their quantity and the ingredients. This will help to provide the cows with all the deficient or missing nutrients of their diets. The cows will give higher quality of food products and will be able to avoid a large number of possible diseases