Evaluation of Nutritional status of Friesian x Bunaji dairy herd based on milk composition Analysis

The research was conducted on the dairy herd of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika-Nigeria, to evaluation the nutritional status of Friesian x Bunaji dairy herd based on milk composition analysis. Milk samples were analysed weekly for percentage milk fat, protein and lactose for 120 days. These milk composition variables were used to calculate the fat-protein ratio (FPR) as well as the energy corrected milk (ECM). The result revealed that the mean fat, protein, and lactose content were 4.49%, 4.32%, and 4.43%, respectively, while the mean FPR and ECM was 1.05 and 8.05kg , respectively. Analysis of the average values of the milk components indicates that considerable number of cows (70%) had fibre deficient and energy surplus ration and only 26% of the animals had ration balanced in fibre and energy, while 4% had ration deficient in energy and fiber surplus. The FPR changes within the 120 day lactation revealed higher values of 1.19 at the beginning of lactation and decreased as the lactation progresses to as low as 0.82 by the 120th day of lactation. The percentage milk fat, lactose and FPR had significant inverse relationship with milk yield, milk protein percentage and ECM. An increasing trend in daily milk yield was observed as the parity of the cows advanced from the first to the third parity and then decreases thereafter. Using milk analysis results it is possible to estimate major problems in dairy cow nutrition, predict and prevent possible nutritional and metabolic disorder.