IMPACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA DRIED LEAVES AND A PHYSICAL FORM OF A FORAGE SOURCE ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND METHANE EMISSION OF DAIRY COWS Authors: Muhammad Farhan Ayaz Chishti, Muhamamad Shahid Ibni Zamir, Muhammad Hasnain Shah, Wajid Ali, Muhammad Farooq Khalid, Muhammad Qamar Bilal, Muhammad Riaz, Umar Farooq, Riaz Mustafa, Waseem Abbas, Muhammad Aziz ur Rahman Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Pages: 1755-1764 Year: 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.6.0150 URL: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.6.0150 Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

The present study assessed the influence of Moringa oleifera (MO) dried leaves and a physical form of a forage source on the production performance and methane emission of dairy cows. Thirty Holstein-Friesian (10 primiparous and 20 multiparous) mid-lactating (DIM 181 ± 17, mean ± SD; 563 ± 25 kg of BW) cows were blocked (based on the parity) into groups of 6 and randomly assigned to each of five treatments; C= TMR (control diet), AP= TMR+4 Kg alfalfa pellets, AH= TMR+4 Kg alfalfa hay, M2=TMR+2 Kg MO-dry leaves, M4= TMR+4 Kg Moringa dry leaves. The results indicated a higher intake of Dry matter (DM) (22.2 Kg/d) and Crude protein (CP) (3.20 kg/d) in AP-supplemented cows. The results showed increased NDF (neutral detergent fiber) (11.24 Kg/d) and ADF (acid detergent fiber) (9.41 Kg/d) intakes in cows fed with the AH diet, and lower NDF (9.40 Kg/d) and ADF (7.35 Kg/d) intakes were observed in the control group cows. Moreover, the highest DM digestibility (68.4%) was observed in cows offered the M4 supplementation. Whereas, the digestibility of CP (65.9%) was greater in cows receiving AP-augmented diets. The results revealed enhanced NDF (57.2%) and ADF (52.8%) digestibilities in cows incorporated with AH in their diet. Our observations reflected higher milk production (27.22 Kg/d) in cows provided with the dietary addition of AH. While, increased milk production efficiency (MY/DMI) was found in cows fed with the dietary inclusion of M2 (1.36). Moreover, the higher 3.5% FCM (27.32 Kg/d) and milk efficiency (FCM/DMI) were noticed in M4-supplemented cows (1.35). Similarly, the milk composition % (protein, fat, TS, and SNF) was also improved in cows supplemented with M4 in their ration. Furthermore, a reduction in methane emission (CH4/kg DMI per day and CH4 g/kg 3.5% FCM) in M4 and M2 supplemented cows (CH4 g per day and CH4 g/ kg milk) was noticed. In conclusion, the dietary incorporation of MO-dried leaves in combination with a forage source improves milk production efficiency, milk composition, and decreases enteric methane emission in dairy cows.

Keywords: Tree leaves, Moringa oleifera, Forage, dairy cows, performance, methane