Effects of green tea waste in total mixed ration on milk production, nutritient digestibility and antioxidant activity in cross-bred lactating cows

Abstract

To study the effect of dietary green tea waste supplementation on milk production, nutrient digestibility and antioxidant activity in cross-bred lactating cows. Six cross-bred lactating cows were used in the experiment. They were randomly divided into three groups of two cows each. A Latin Square (3×3) design was used in this study. Each period lasted for 25 days; the adjusting and collecting periods were 10 and 15 days, respectively. Cows were fed ad libitum with total mixed ration (TMR). TMR was the mixture of silage and concentrate at the ratio of 39:61 (DM basis). The compositions of a basal diet (control) and two treatment diets were the same except for the difference of the green tea waste concentration. Dietary green tea waste was varied by using green tea waste. The concentrations of green tea waste in control diet and two treatment diets were 0%, 5% and 10% (DM basis), respectively. No effects of GTW supplementation on feed intake, DMI/%BW, MY and MY/DMI. Milk protein percentage was increased (P<0.05) for cows fed with 10% GTW when compared to the control group. The percentages of milk composition: total solid, fat, protein, solid not fat and lactose were not significantly affected. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in nutrient digestibility, milk allantoin concentration and VFA concentrations. The oxidative stress index, TBARS concentration and ascorbic acid concentrations were not different in this study. It can be concluded from this study that GTW can be used as a source of protein, at both level 5 and 10% (DM basis), in the diet fed to cross-bred multiparous cows during mid-lactation period without any deleterious effect on milk yield, nutrient digestibility and performance. Replacement of conventional ingredients with GTW in cow’s diet showed a better net income than using conventional feed.