Feed utilization and milk production of Damascus goats fed diets supplemented with mustard and cumin seeds

Introduction. The yield and composition of milk can be changed dramatically by altering the feeding regimen and phytogenic supplementation. Plant parts such as leaves and seeds contain bioactive compounds such as essential oils, saponins and tannins with some antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties which can be exploited in ruminant production to improve feed utilization, animal performance and milk nutritive value¹. Mustard seed (Brassica juncea) contains higher crude protein content with well-balanced amino acid composition; however, its utilization in ruminant feeding is limited because of its higher glucosinolates². Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) has some antioxidant compounds, antibacterial activity and can also activate digestive enzymes³. The effect of whole mustard and cumin seeds inclusion at 10 g/day in the diets of Damascus goats on feed utilization and milk production were studied for 12 weeks.

 

Martials and methods. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats (44.2±0.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups (5 goats per treatment) for 12 weeks. Treatments included: 1, control ration, consisted of concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and berseem clover (1:1 DM basis); 2, control ration+10 g/head/d dried mustard seeds [MUS]; 3, control ration+10 g/head/d cumin seed [CUM]. Digestibility trials were conducted at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks of the experiment. Dry matter intake was recorded daily; goats were milked twice daily at 09:00 and 21:00h and samples were collected at each milking. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (2004) with week as a repeated measures and individual animal as the experimental unit. Means also were compared using orthogonal contrasts (i.e., control vs. the average of MUS and CUM treatment and MUS vs. CUM).

 

Results In response to the addition of MUS or CUM seeds are shown in the following table.

 

Conclusion. Daily addition of mustard and cumin seeds at 10 g/goat did not affect nutrients intake, but enhanced nutrient digestibility and milk yield.

 

 

 

 

1 Kholif AE et al. 2016. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 217:45-55;

2 Moss BR. 1975. J. Dairy Sci. 58:1682-1687;

3 Tajkarimi MM et al. 2010.

 

Keywords. Cumin seeds, dairy Damascus goat, feed utilization, mustard seeds, metabolites.