Nutrient Utilization and Milk Yield of Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Containing Monensin, Garlic Peel and Organic Minerals During the Lactation Period

The objective of this research was to determine nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, and milk quality of dairy cows that consumed feed supplemented with monensin, garlic peel (Allium sativum), and organic minerals. Twenty-one Friesian Holstein dairy cows with 644±72 kg body weight received dietary treatments consisting of: T0: basal feed + 0.3 g/d monensin;T1: basal feed + 30 ppm garlic-peel powder; and T2: basal feed + 30 ppm garlic peel powder + organic minerals (1.5 ppm Cr, 0.3 ppm Se, and 40 ppm Zn-lysinate). Allocation of dietary treatments followed a completely randomized design with seven replicates per treatment. Results showed that supplementation with monensin, garlic peel, and organic mineral did not significantly affect nutrient intake (DM, OM, CF, CP, NDF, ADF, TDN), nutrient digestibility (DM, OM, CF, NDF, ADF, TDN), milk yield, or milk quality. However, treatment significantly decreased crude protein digestibility (P<0.01). The conclusion was that supplementation with garlic peel can replace monensin in feed for dairy cattle.