Response of mixed viable probiotics culture on milk production and nutrient availability in crossbred mid lactating cows

Effect of feeding probiotics culture in triple combination (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium; ratio 6: 2: 2, total dose 10 x 10(9) cfu/animal) to crossbred mid lactating cows was studied to observe the lactation performance and nutrient utilization. Dry matter intake (DMI)/100 kg body weight tended to increase due to inclusion of probiotics culture and significant between control (T-1) and treatment groups (T-2) in second (P<0.10), fourth and sixth fortnights. Crude protein intake (CPI)/100 kg body weight was not affected due to probiotics supplementation. Addition of probiotics increased milk yield (kg/day/animal) significantly from 10.16 kg in T-1 to 10.60 kg in T-2. Fat corrected milk (FCM) (kg) yield was also increased significantly due to probiotics supplementation from 9.94 kg (T-1) to 10.34 kg/day (T-2). The milk production efficiency (kg milk-Ag DMI) was higher in T-2 (0.90) than T-1 (0.88). Probiotics supplementation had no impact on milk fat percentage in milk. Total milk solid, protein and milk ash per cent remained unaffected due to mixed culture supplementation. Digestible organic matter (DOM) intake and TDN intake per kgW(0.75) were significantly higher in T-2 over T-1. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intake/W-0.75 kg followed the same trend; 4.25 MJ extra ME and 2.24 MJ NE were consumed by probiotics supplemented animals at similar level of DMI in both the groups, which could be the reason for higher milk yield due to probiotics addition.