Effect of supplementation of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves to lactating cows for improving milk production in traditional farming system

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present experiment was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of neem leaves on the performance of early lactating cows feeding with straw-based traditional diet (rice straw, wheat straw and roadside grass etc.). For this purpose, six lactating cows were selected based on early lactation and severity of infection in terms of gastrointestinal nematode. In each cow, neem leaves were supplemented at the rate of 200 mg/kg live weight of the animal along with the straw-based traditional diet. The selected animals were observed and data were collected 4 weeks before and 4 weeks after treating with neem leaves. Feces were collected from the cows weekly for the observation of parasites. From the findings, it was observed that the average egg per gram of feces (EPG) was significantly (p<0.05) lowered after supplemented with neem leaves. The average body weight and milk production of the lactating cows were significantly increased after treatment. The results indicate that supplementation of neem leaves had a positive effect on the performance of lactating cows and it can be used for better performance of lactating cows under village conditions where cows are reared on straw-based traditional diet.