The milk fatty acid composition and production in Simmental cows supplemented with unprotected sunflower oil in the ration

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the unprotected sunflower oil in the diet on the milk production and composition in cows from private breeding. Ten healthy multiparous Simmental cows in mid-lactation were assigned for 5 weeks feeding trial. The animals where fed one of the diets: WSO - the basal diet which consisted of the 26% corn silage, 33% perennial ryegrass haylage, and 41% concentrate in DM, and SO diet - in basal diet 200g/cow/day of unprotected sunflower oil was supplemented in concentrate mixture. The milk production and production of milk components did not change significantly during the trial, whereas milk fatty acid composition altered significantly. Short chain and medium chain fatty acids decreased for 0.94%, and 6.42%, respectively, and long chain fatty acid increased for 7.76% in SO diet. The rumenic (cis-9, trans-11 CLA), linoleic (cis-9, cis-12 C 18:2) and stearic acid increased significantly, and palmitic, myristic and partially lauric acid decreased significantly during the SO treatment. We could conclude that unprotected sunflower oil efficiently modified the fatty acid composition of Simmental cows' milk with no adverse effect observed on the milk production, standard milk components and animals health.