Vol. 12, Special Issue 6 (2023)

Author(s):
Sonabai Kondiba, Shrikant Kulkarni, Srinivas Reddy Bellur, Vivek M Patil, Kartikesh SM, Gangadhar Kapase, Sarita and Ravikanth

Abstract:
A study was conducted to assess effects of dietary betaine supplementation on milk yield and composition, SCC in lactating Deoni cows. Twelve lactating cows were randomly divided into control and treatment group with six in each group. Control group was fed basal diet alone whereas treatment group was supplemented with anhydrous betaine hydrochloride @ 15 g/ day in the diet during the study period of eight weeks in addition to basal diet. The average daily milk yield improved significantly (p<0.05) in treatment group from 5^th week; milk fat and solids not fat from 3^rd week of after supplementing betaine. There was no significant difference in milk lactose level between two groups during the study period. Somatic cell count in the milk declined significantly (p<0.05) in betaine supplemented Deoni cows from 4^th week of study. It can be concluded that dietary betaine supplementation to lactating Deoni cows enhances milk yield and improves milk composition and udder health.