The Effect of Sodium Humate Feed Additives in Diets for Holstein Breed Heifers

Abstract

The research aim is to examine the possibilities of including the sodium humate (NaHum) additive derived from freshwater sapropel in feed to identify its effects on growth performance, promote haematopoiesis, and modulate the microbiota of the intestinal tract. The research was done under production conditions, complying with Latvian and European Union legislation on the keeping, feeding, and welfare of farm animals. The research had three replications, and for each of them, two groups of Holstein breeding heifers were established: control (3xn=7) and research (3xn=7). The duration of each replication was 9 days in the adaptation period and 105 days in the research period. The heifers of the research group received the NaHum solution additive with feed from the 1st to 35th day (stage 1) at an intake rate of 0.4 mL/kg of live weight, from the 36th to 70th day (stage 2) at an intake rate of 0.5 mL/kg of live weight, and from the 71st to 105th day (stage 3) at an intake rate of 0.6 mL/kg of live weight. The breeding heifers of the research group, receiving NaHum at an intake rate of 0.6 mL/kg of live weight, achieved a significantly higher live weight gain at stage 3 and an overall numerically higher live weight gain (by 4.8 kg) than the control group during the research period. Consequently, a significantly higher relative growth ratio (0.334) was found in the research group at stage 3, which was 0.028 higher than that in the control group. The Lactobacillus spp. count in faecal samples was steady at the end of the research; a significant difference was found between groups, with the average ranging between 6.95 (control group) and 8.49 log CFU/g (research (NaHum) group). The novelty of the research is that it was scientifically proven that feeding the NaHum additive derived from freshwater lake sapropel to the breeding Holstein heifers up to 5 months of age increased their feed intake and live weight gain, as well as activity and health. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-04-023 Full Text: PDF