EFFECT OF NATURAL FEED ADDITIVE ON HYGIENE AND SANITARY CONDITION OF HEIFERS MILK AND THEIR MILK PRODUCTION
Research on the effectiveness of dihydroquercetin in dairy cattle breeding was carried out. The research was carried out on the breeding farm of Votkinsky District in the Udmurt Republic. Three groups of Black-Pied heifers (10 heads each) were formed. Animals of the control group were fed a basic diet used on the farm. Animals of the first and second experimental groups in addition to the basic diet were fed the natural additive. The composition of the feed additive is salt feed and dihydroquercetin (purity 92%). Animals of the first experimental group as part of the natural feed additive were fed 25 mg of dihydroquercetin per 100 kg live weight, animals of the second experimental group - 75 mg of dihydroquercetin per 100 kg live weight. According to the research methods, the animals of the experimental groups were fed the natural feed additive after calving, during the period of increasing milk yield in the first half of the day. According to the research results, the number of somatic cells in the cows milk of the first experimental group was 180 thousand, which is 60 thousand lower than the control group (P³0,999). In the second experimental group, the number of somatic cells was 164 thousand, which is 76 thousand lower than in the control group (P³0,999). In all groups the level of total viable count was within the normal range for the top grade milk. Superiority in the milk yield for the first 100 days of lactation was revealed in cows of the first and second experimental groups, relative to the control group, by 1,8% and 2,4% (P³0,95), respectively. At the same time, cows of the second experimental group yielded more milk by 0,6%, relative to the counterparts of the first experimental group. It was found an increase in the mass fraction of fat in the cows milk of the experimental groups by 0,15% and 0,3%, respectively. In the second experimental group there was an increase in the mass fraction of protein, relative to the control and first experimental group, by 0,12% (P³0,999) and 0,07%, respectively.