Milk production and milk quality of sub-clinical mastitis cows feed with different supplementation of herbal in the diet

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate effect of five Indonesian herbals on milk production and bacterial count in sub-clinical mastitis cows. A completely randomized design split plot in time with 4 replications and 4 treatments was used. The main plot was basal diet supplemented with 12.5 g/100kgBW of mixed-herbal. Dietary treatments were basal diet supplemented with various composition, T0 (without herbal additive); T1 (70% Sauropus androgynus, 25% Curcuma xanthorrhiza, and 5% Alpinia galanga), T2 (70% Piper betle, 25% Curcuma domestica, 5% Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and T3 (35% Sauropus androgynus, 35% Piper betle, 10% Curcuma xanthorrhiza, 10% Curcuma domestica and 10% Alpinia galanga). Sub plot was treatment duration (0, 5 and 10 days). Data showed that bacterial count in T1, T2 and T3 were lower (P<0.05) than T0. Among herbal groups, cows in T3 had lowest bacterial count and reached Indonesian standard for milk quality (< 106 cfu/ml) after 5 days treatments. Cows fed with T1 and T3 produced more milk (P<0.05). Milk total solid and lactose contents in T1 were the highest (P<0.05), whereas highest milk fat in T3 (P<0.05). In conclusion, herbal feed additive could be used as an alternative for mastitis treatment to ensure milk productivity and milk safety.