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Vitamin and trace element supplementation in grazing dairy ewe during the dry season: effect on milk yield, composition, and clotting aptitude

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An Erratum to this article was published on 29 May 2014

Abstract

A study was carried out to evaluate the influence of vitamin and trace mineral supplementation on milk production and composition in grazing dairy ewes during the dry season. Ewes (n = 50) were assigned at weaning to blocks and treatments. Ewes were daily conducted (8 h/day) on a pasture based on Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). At fold, ewes received a basal diet composed by ad libitum oat hay and a definite amount of a pelleted concentrate. Dietary treatments included: (1) the control concentrate containing background of vitamin and trace mineral only, and (2) the experimental concentrate containing the premix supplement (10 g/kg of dry matter). Vitamin and trace mineral supplementation did not affect ewes’ body weight. Milk, fat- and protein-corrected milk, fat percentage, and clotting properties were improved in ewes fed supplemented concentrate. There was a week × treatment interaction (P < 0.05) for yield of milk and corrected milk that was greatest at peak production in ewes fed the premix. Our findings indicate that in grazing dairy ewe, the dietary vitamin and trace mineral supplementation during dry season led to an increase of milk production and quality, with positive improvement in milk clotting aptitude.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Study of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, 70010, Valenzano, BA, Italy

    Vincenzo Tufarelli & Vito Laudadio

  2. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    R. U. Khan

  3. Department of Animal Health and Welfare, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima, km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy

    Vincenzo Tufarelli

Authors
  1. Vincenzo Tufarelli
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  2. R. U. Khan
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  3. Vito Laudadio
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Correspondence to Vincenzo Tufarelli.

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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0601-x.

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Tufarelli, V., Khan, R.U. & Laudadio, V. Vitamin and trace element supplementation in grazing dairy ewe during the dry season: effect on milk yield, composition, and clotting aptitude. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 955–960 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-011-9789-1

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