Effect of Bypass Fat and Niacin Supplementation on the Productive Performance and Blood Profile of Lactating Crossbred Cows under Field Conditions

A 120d field study was conducted on crossbred lactating cows to evaluate the production economics of supplemental bypass fat and niacin. Eighteen animals were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed wheat straw, concentrate mixture, bread waste, biscuit waste, mixed green fodder and baby corn waste while the treatment group received the same ration with additional 200g bypass fat and 12g niacin daily. Results of the in vitro evaluation of the feed ingredients indicated that the net gas production (ml/200 mg DM) was similar in all the ingredients but the biscuit waste had highest tritely degradable organic matter (TDOM). The concentrate mixture showed the highest microbial biomass production (MBP) and efficiency of MBP. The production data indicated that animals supplemented with bypass fat and niacin produced more milk (P < 0.06) with better persistency and feed efficiency (P < 0.05), higher milk fat (P < 0.05). and exhibited more EE digestibility (P < 0.01), blood glucose (P < 0.01) and total cholesterol (P < 0.01). The supplementation improved weight gain and conception rate. The study concluded that daily supplementation of bypass fat at 200 g/d along with 12g niacin in early lactation could be cost-effective for improving production and health of high producing dairy cows.