Betaine Supplementation and Milk Production during Heat Stress in Crossbred Cows

Abstract

Twenty crossbred cows (HF × Jersey) yielding 18-20 kg milk/d were divided into two groups of ten each based on milk yield, fat% and stage of lactation during hot summer months. The animals in both the groups were fed basal diet comprising 9.0 kg concentrates, 25.0 kg green fodder and 3.5 kg dry fodder. In addition to basal diet, animals in experimental group were supplemented with betaine hydrochloride @ 30 g/d and buffer @ 100 g/d for 90 d. The average temperature-humidity index was 71.78 and 78.12 at 09: 00 and 14: 00 h, respectively. Study revealed that betaine supplementation improved (P<0.01) DMI and milk yield by 8.79 and 10.55% in cows as compared to control group. Average fat (3.70% vs. 3.96%; P<0.01) and SNF (8.54% vs. 8.63%; P<0.01) contents were also higher in experimental group. Lower DMI (14.2 and 15.7 kg/d) and milk yield (15.4 and 17.4 kg/) were observed in both the groups when there was higher THI (83.3) during the study. Rectal temperature (103.4 vs. 102.6ºF), respiration rate (63.5 vs. 45.5/min.) and pulse rate (76.8 vs. 60.8/min.) at 14: 00 h were lower (P<0.05) in cows supplemented with betaine as compared to control group. The net daily income was higher bỳ 20.05 (P<0.05) in experimental group as compared to control. Therefore, supplementation of betaine hydrochloride and buffer in the ration of dairy cows during heat stress period not only maintained DMI and milk yield but also improved net daily income of dairy farmers in tropical conditions of India.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Betaine on Growth Performance and Blood Biochemical Profile of Nili-Ravi Buffalo Calves

“…Higher water intake in BET fed animals is also in agreement with Hall et al (2016). Higher DMI as noticed in our experiment substantiate the earlier findings of Shankhpal et al (2018) and Deshpande et al (2020) who also reported higher DMI which positively correlated with ADG in BET supplemented animals. However, the same is in partial agreement with Hall et al (2016), who reported a higher DMI Blood biochemical indices are considered a key indicator of animal health status.…”

Impact of Betaine Supplementation as Anti Stress on Some Hematological Parameters and Thermoregulatory Responses of Aberdeen Angus Cows in Arid Subtropical Regions

“…The general homeostatic responses to thermal stress in mammals included elevated respiration rate and heart rate, reduced feed intake, profuse sweating, panting, and drooling of saliva (Silanikove, 1992). The results of our study in in rectal temperature and pulse rate were agreement with reported by Shankhpal et al (2018) who reported that supplemental betaine (30 g/day) significantly decreased the rectal temperature and pulse rate at 14:00 hr. as compared to control group in crossbred cows.…”

Physio-biochemical responses and growth performance of buffalo heifers to betaine supplementation during hot humid season under field conditions

“…Thermal stress decreases growth rate due to reduction in feed intake and decreased nutrients availability (Lough et al 1990). Similarly, DMI in betaine supplemented crossbred lactating cows was higher (P<0.01) by 8.79% as compared to control (Shankhpal et al 2018). The DMI showed positive correlation with GH, ADG, BW and body measurements and negative correlation with THI, RT, ST, PR, NEFA and cortisol (Table 6).…”