Influence of integrated fodder additive on the productivity of cattle in the Magadan region
The studies have been carried out on use of feed additive of nontraditional regional plant resources: lichens, seaweeds, and trace elements in diets for cow feeding for 2 months of dry period and 2 months after calving. Use of the feed additive (FA) influences positively on the milk productivity. The highest efficiency of use of the FA in cattle diet showed in increasing average daily milk yield by 1.67 kg (11.4%), milk fat content by 0.25 absolute percent, milk protein content by 0.06 absolute percent, relative to the control group. Use of the feed additive enables optimizing reproductive function of the cows. The cows in the 2 experimental group had a service period shorter by 24.8%, insemination index lover 0.75 times than those in the control group cows. Fertility from the first insemination was higher in experimental cows (62.5-87.5%). The cows fed the FA in addition to the basic diet have a heightened reproductive abilities as that did not feed it which makes it possible to use the former in the process of the herd reproduction. The inclusion of a feed additive in the diet also contributes to increasing the economic efficiency of production. The decrease in the level of unprofitability in comparison with the use of the ration was 16.2 percentage points. Data of haematological investigations showed that, according to studied indices, the state of the cows in the experimental groups had improved in comparison wilh ones in the control group. On the basis of results of the studies, a feed additive for cattle feeding has been developed using the nontraditional feed resources in conditions of Magadan region and a patent has been taken out for an invention entitled «Feed additive for cattle possessed an immunomodulating effect».