Method for increasing calf productivity in dairy farming

Abstract

FIELD: agriculture.SUBSTANCE: method for increasing the productivity of calves in dairy farming. The method consists in that in the first three months of life, calves are given a synthetic zeolite of the NaX type in the main diet in the amount of 20 g / head per day and a lyophilized preparation based on the Enterococcus faecium strain RCAM05160 at a concentration of 1⋅109 CFU / mg in the amount of 0.75 mg per 10 kg of live weight of calves.EFFECT: improving the productivity of calves in dairy farming.1 cl, 1 dwg, 3 tbl

Description

[0001] The main task of the agro-industrial complex of the Russian Federation in modern conditions - in the context of import substitution, is to increase the volume of agricultural production, namely, milk production [Khimicheva, S. N. Physiological and zootechnical justification of probiotics in raising calves / S. N. Khimicheva, S. V. Moshkina / / Bulletin of the Ulyanovsk State Agricultural Academy. - 2022. - No. 3 (59). - P. 203-207. Doi: 10.18286 / 1816-4501 -2022-3-203-207].

[0002] Under modern conditions, despite significant achievements in the field of selection and breeding, most dairy cattle are unable to realize their biological potential without a complete feed base. This is especially true for small dairy complexes, peasant and farm households, which in most cases can provide the local population with livestock products. That is why optimization of complete feeding begins from the first days of life of young animals [Supplementation of direct-fed microbial Enterococcus faecium 669 affects performance of preweaning dairy calves / B Cappellozza, G Copani, E Boll, O Queiroz / / JDS Commun. 2023. Vol. 18. No. 4(4). P. 284-287. Doi: 10.3168 / jdsc.2022-0344].

[0003] In the early period, young dairy cattle may experience digestive problems, which contributes to a decrease in the manifestation of immune protection, a decrease in the growth rate and the body's resistance [Shlenkina, T.M. Immunomodulatory properties of a number of biologically active feed additives / T.M. Shlenkina, E.M. Romanova, V.V. Romanov, V.N. Lyubomirova / / Bulletin of the Ulyanovsk State Agricultural Academy. - 2021. - No. 4 (56). - P. 130-135. DOI: 10.18286 / 1816-4501-2021-4-130-135].

[0004] Application of Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 culture suspension at a dose of 0.75 ml / 10 kg of live weight per day during the milk period at a concentration of 1⋅10 9CFU / ml made it possible to create favorable conditions in the rumen of ruminants, while feed and feed mixtures are maximally digested and absorbed by the host organism. The suspension is included in the composition of whole milk replacer fed to calves [Gerasimenko, V.V. Productivity of calves using a preparation based on microorganisms of the genus Enterococcus / V.V. Gerasimenko, R.Z. Mustafin, V.A. Shakhov, O.Yu. Ezhova / / Achievements of science and technology of the agro-industrial complex. - 2024. - Vol. 38. No. 11. - P. 72-76. DOI: 10.53859 / 02352451_2024_38_11_72, Gerasimenko V.V., Bakaeva L.N., Goncharov A.G., Sycheva M.V., Dymova V.V., Mustafina A.S., Mustafin R.Z., Shakhov V.A., Ezhova O.Yu. Method for increasing calf productivity in dairy cattle breeding. Patent for invention RU 2841689 C1, 16.06.2025. Application No. 2024126048 dated 05.09.2024].

[0005] Zeolite, which has a positive effect on metabolism, feed digestibility and, as a consequence, the productivity of animals and poultry, can serve as an accessible and cost-effective source of mineral elements and a sorbent [Beregovaya. N.G. Synthetic zeolite NaX as a feed additive for broiler chickens / N.G. Beregovaya, V.V. Gerasimenko, V.N. Nikulin et al. / / Animal husbandry and forage production. - 2019. - No. 2. - P. 136-150 DOI: 10.33284 / 2658-3135-102-2-136].

[0006] The objective of the proposed invention is to develop a method for increasing the productivity of calves in dairy cattle breeding using the combined use of Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 culture and synthetic zeolite NaX.

[0007] The technical result achieved by implementing the invention is an increase in the productivity of calves in dairy cattle breeding while simultaneously reducing feed costs per unit of gain.

[0008] The specified technical result in the proposed method for increasing the productivity of calves is achieved by using a complex of synthetic zeolite of the NaX type, in the amount of 20 g / head per day, and a lyophilized preparation based on the Enterococcus faecium strain RCAM05160 at a concentration of 1×10 9 CFU / mg, in the amount of 0.75 mg per 10 kg of live weight of calves, in the first three months of life of calves, which is biologically effective.

[0009] The experimental part was conducted at Rassvet Limited Liability Company in the Saraktash District of the Orenburg Region. Four groups of calves, each consisting of 10 animals, were selected using the analogous pair method.

[0010] Feeding and housing conditions for the calves during the experiment fully complied with the recommendations of the All-Russian Society of Animal Husbandry. Calves in the control group received a basic diet formulated based on the chemical composition of the feed and its actual nutritional value.

[0011] The animals in the experimental groups additionally received the studied medications. The first experimental group of calves received a synthetic NaX zeolite in addition to their basic diet, at a dose of 20 g / head per day. The zeolite was crushed before use and administered with whole milk during the first 10 days, and then as part of concentrated feed from 11 to 90 days of age. The optimal zeolite dosage of 20 g / head per day was recommended by the manufacturer of the synthetic zeolite.

[0012] Calves of the second experimental group additionally received a preparation based on the bacterial strain Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160, which was included daily in the composition of whole milk fed to them, and then in a whole milk replacer (WMR) from birth to 90 days of age - 0.75 mg of the preparation per 10 kg of live weight of calves. The optimal dosage of the bacterial culture was substantiated in previously conducted studies on dairy calves [Gerasimenko, V.V. Productivity of calves using a preparation based on microorganisms of the genus Enterococcus / V.V. Gerasimenko, R.Z. Mustafin, V.A. Shakhov, O.Yu. Ezhova / / Achievements of science and technology of the agro-industrial complex. - 2024. - Vol. 38. No. 11. - P. 72-76. DOI: 10.53859 / 02352451_2024_38_11_72, Gerasimenko V.V., Bakaeva L.N., Goncharov A.G., Sycheva M.V., Dymova V.V., Mustafina A.S., Mustafin R.Z., Shakhov V.A., Ezhova O.Yu. Method for increasing calf productivity in dairy cattle breeding. Patent for invention RU 2841689 C1, 16.06.2025. Application No. 2024126048 dated 05.09.2024].

[0013] Animals in experimental group III were given a synthetic zeolite complex and a freeze-dried Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 product in addition to their basic diet, at the dosages indicated above. At the beginning of the experiment, the calves' live weight did not vary significantly, which met the basic requirements for selecting animals for a scientific and economic experiment (Table 1).

[0014] Throughout the entire period of the experiment, animals in the experimental groups had higher live weight indicators compared to calves in the control group.

[0015] At the end of the first month of the experiment, 30 days, the weight of the calves of the first experimental group was higher than the figures in the control group by 4.3 kg (9.7%), the second - by 5.1 kg (11.5%), the third - by 6.2 kg (14.0%).

[0016] At two months of age (60 days), the live weight of the calves of the first experimental group was 5.2 kg (8.4%) higher than that of their counterparts from the control group, the weight of the calves of the second experimental group exceeded the weight of the calves of the control group by 5.8 kg (9.4%), and that of the third experimental group by 7.7 kg (12.5%), the differences were reliable (p≤0.05). At 90 days of age, the live weight of the calves of the first experimental group was 5.1 kg (6.2%) higher than that of the control group, by 6.6 kg (8.0%) in the second experimental group, and by 8.0 kg (9.7%) in the third experimental group. The highest difference in live weight was observed in the group using a complex of zeolite and a preparation based on the Enterococcus faecium strain RCAM05160.

[0017] Following administration of the study medications (90-day-old calves), growth monitoring of the experimental animals was conducted. This revealed that higher live weight indicators were observed in calves of the third experimental group at all stages of the experiment. At the age of 6 months (180 days), their live weight was 162.4 kg, while the weight of calves of the second experimental group at the same age was slightly less (158.3 kg). These live weight values ​​were higher than those of calves from the control group by 8.6 and 5.8%, respectively. In the group of calves that received only zeolite, at six months of age, the superiority over calves from the control group was only 3.5%.

[0018] Absolute and average daily weight gains were calculated based on the results of monthly control weighings. In the experiment, calves in experimental group III showed the highest absolute weight gain. The absolute live weight gain of these calves at 30 days of age was 6.0 kg higher than that of the control group. Calves in experimental groups II and I exceeded those in the control group in absolute weight gain by 4.7 kg.

[0019] When assessing the absolute live weight gain of the experimental calves at 90 days of age, it is worth noting that calves from experimental groups II and III had a 1.5-3.9% higher absolute weight gain than calves from the control group. Animals from the experimental groups showed higher absolute weight gain than calves from the control group. The difference in absolute weight gain between calves from the control and experimental groups ranged from 2.3% to 8.1%, respectively. This means that the highest absolute weight gain was observed in calves that received the zeolite and microbial preparation complex.

[0020] Analysis of changes in average daily gain shows that feeding a zeolite complex and a preparation based on Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 culture provided higher growth energy throughout the experiment. Thus, in the first month, this indicator was higher in calves of the third experimental group than in the control group by 200 g (49%), at 60 days of age - by 51.7 g (8.7%). The maximum values ​​​​of average daily live weight gain were observed at 5 months of age (851.7 g) in calves of the third experimental group, the minimum values ​​​​of 406.7 g were noted in calves of the control group in the first month of the study.

[0021] The results of live weight measurements, calculation of absolute and average daily gains, give reason to believe that the use of a feed additive based on the Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 culture contributed to a higher rate of growth.

[0022] High average daily gains of calves in the experimental group are explained by the fact that synthetic zeolite and a preparation based on Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160 culture, characterized by antagonistic activity against Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, including vancomycin-resistant culture, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, Listeria inocua, used in feeding. The probiotic strain of enterococcus has intrageneric antagonistic activity, including against virulent cultures of the genus Enterococcus, contributed to an increase in the digestibility of nutrients in the diet [Kochkina. E.E. Biological characteristics of enterococcal strains for the development of drugs with probiotic properties: diss. Cand. of Biological Sciences. Orenburg, 2020. 143 p.]. Feeding calves from the experimental groups the studied preparations also contributed to improved feed intake.The synthetic zeolite and microorganisms of the in-house preparation had a positive effect on the functional activity of the gastrointestinal tract and contributed to an improvement in the provision of the animals' forestomachs with microflora, which, in turn, could influence the conversion of feed into a nutrient substrate and improve the digestion of nutrients in the diet (Fig. 1).

[0023] The calves of the experimental groups showed higher values ​​of the digestibility coefficient of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extractive substances of the diet, compared to the animals from the control group. Thus, the dry matter digestibility coefficient of the calves that did not receive the additive was lower than that of individuals of the 1st experimental group by 1.09%, 2nd - by 2.54%, 3rd experimental group - by 3.28%. The highest values ​​of the crude protein digestibility coefficient were noted in the 3rd experimental group (the difference is significant at p ≤ 0.05). Its value was higher than that of the animals of the control group by 4.19%. In calves of the 2nd experimental group, the difference with the control was 2.20%, from the 1st experimental group - 0.88%. The digestibility coefficient of crude fat did not differ significantly - by 0.28-1.49%.

[0024] No gastrointestinal disorders were observed in Holstein calves from the experimental groups receiving the supplemental medications in their diets. However, two calves from the control group experienced diarrhea, which could indicate gastrointestinal disorders. All of the above suggests that synthetic zeolite and Enterococcus faecium RCAM05160, both individually and in combination, may have contributed to the accelerated maturation of rumen microflora and normalized gastrointestinal function. This effect is achieved by suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria and creating favorable conditions for the growth of beneficial microflora in the digestive system.

[0025] Blood provides a more complete picture of the physiological state of the calves during the study period. At the end of the study period, the morphological composition of the blood of the experimental animals was examined. At 90 days of age, the highest number of red blood cells was observed in the blood of calves in experimental group III - 7.31×10 12 / L. In the blood of calves from the second experimental group, the value of this indicator was 3.3% lower, in the blood of calves from the first experimental group - 4.7% lower, in the blood of calves from the control group - 10% lower (Table 2).

[0026] A similar pattern was observed in changes in hemoglobin levels in the blood of experimental calves. This indicator was lowest in the control group (94.4 g / L), while in the first experimental group it increased by 0.8%, in the second by 5.4%, and in the third by 7.5%. The data from the experiments showed that the hematocrit of the blood of calves in all experimental groups was within the physiological norm for this age and sex group of cattle.

[0027] Feed consumption per production demonstrates the efficiency of feed utilization and can also characterize the completeness and balance of feeding. At the end of the experiment, the diet analysis determined the energy feed units (EFU) and digestible protein (DP) consumption per 1 kg of gain in the control and experimental groups (Table 3).

[0028] Thus, to achieve a live weight gain of 117.4 kg during the experimental period in the control group, 525.8 feed units and 58.42 kg of digestible protein were expended. In the 1st experimental group, the costs of producing a gross gain of 123 kg increased, compared to the calves from the control group, by 3.5 EFU (0.7%) and 1.79 kg (3.1%) of digestible protein; in the 2nd experimental group, the indicators increased: gross live weight gain - up to 125.7 kg, while the costs increased compared to the calves from the control group by 6.3 EFU (1.2%) and 3.6 kg (6.2%) of digestible protein. The highest increase in live weight of calves (130 kg) during the experimental period was observed in calves of the third experimental group, while the highest feed costs were noted - 9.8 (1.9%) more than ECU and 4.92 kg (8.4%) more than digestible protein.

[0029] The higher growth rate of calves in the experimental groups resulted in greater live weight gain, which overall reduces the cost per unit of live weight gain. When determining feed costs per unit of gain, it was found that calves in the experimental groups required 4.12-4.30 EFU and 487.2-489.5 g of digestible protein per 1 kg of gain, while calves in the control group required 4.48 EFU and 497.6 g of digestible protein, which significantly differs from the costs of raising calves from the experimental groups. Feed costs for live weight gain in calves in groups I, II, and III were lower than in the control group, amounting to 3.9%, 5.5%, and 8.0%, respectively.

[0030] The volume of information and its reliability obtained as a result of the experiment provide grounds to believe that the combined use of the studied preparations during the first three months of calf life is biologically effective. The use of these preparations in dairy farming promotes more intensive growth, resulting in an increase in live weight by 12.8 kg (8.6%), while absolute and average daily gains increased to 8.1%, the incidence of digestive disorders decreased, and feed costs per unit of gain decreased to 0.36 EFU (8.0%).

[0031] Table 1.

[0032] Dynamics of weight indicators ( ±S ) (n=10)

[0033] Age, days Live weight, kg control I am experienced II experimental III experimental 1 32,20±0,64 31,80±1,13 32,60±0,86 32,40±1,19 30 44,40±0,88 48,70±1,73* 49,50±1,31* 50,60±1,86* 60 61,70±1,22 66,90±2,37 67,50±1,79* 69,40±2,55* 90 82,30±1,70 87,40±3,10 88,90±2,35* 90,30±3,32* 120 104,10±2,06 109,50±3,89 111,70±2,96* 113,80±4,19 150 127,50±1,50 132,80±4,71 135,70±3,59* 138,50±5,10 180 149,60±3,02 154,80±3,95 158,30±2,61* 162,40±4,35* Absolute increase, g 1…30 12,20±0,29 16,90±0,95* 16,90±0,25* 18,20±0,45* 31…60 17,30±0,41 18,20±1,02 18,00±0,26 18,80±0,47 61…90 20,60±0,48 20,50±1,15 21,40±0,31 20,90±0,52 91…120 21,80±0,51 22,10±1,24 22,80±0,34 23,50±0,58* 121…150 23,40±0,55 23,30±0,60 24,00±0,35 24,70±0,61 151…180 22,10±0,52 22,00±1,20 22,60±0,33 23,90±0,59* 1…180 117,40±2,76 123,00±5,77 125,70±1,85* 130,00±3,22* Average daily gain, g 1…30 406,67±17,88 563,33±16,30* 563,33±12,77* 606,67±14,06* 31…60 596,55±17,49 627,59±15,65 620,69±9,38 648,28±11,43* 61…90 710,34±20,82 706,90±17,62 737,93±11,15 720,69±12,71 91…120 751,72±22,03 762,07±19,00 786,21±11,88 810,34±14,29* 121…150 806,90±23,65 803,45±20,03 827,59±12,51 851,72±15,02 151…180 762,07±22,34 758,62±18,91 779,31±11,78 824,14±14,53* 1…180 690,59±20,24 723,53±18,04 739,41±11,18* 764,71±13,48*

[0034] *from here on, differences with the control are significant at p≤0.05.

[0035] Table 2.

[0036] Hematological parameters of calves at 90 days of age ( ±S , n=3)

[0037] Indicator Group control I am experienced II experimental III experimental RBC, ×1012 / L 6,63±0,17 6,94±0,19 7,03±0,08 7,27±0,13* HCT, % 37,4±0,58 36,8±0,65 39,7±0,59* 39,2±0,55* HGB, g / L 94,4±1,27 96,3±1,13 99,4±1,03* 101,4±1,15 WBC, ×109 / L 7,52±0,17 7,38±0,13 7,27±0,14 7,06±0,09 PLT, *109 / L 118,4±2,31 124,8±1,51* 121±2,06 124,1±1,01*

[0038] Table 3.

[0039] Feed costs for live weight gain (on average per 1 head)

[0040] Group Total Per 1 kg of weight gain feed units digestible protein, kg feed units digestible protein, g Control 525,8 58,42 4,48 497,6 I am experienced 529,3 60,21 4,30 489,5 II experimental 532,1 62,02 4,23 493,4 III experimental 535,6 63,34 4,12 487,2

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