RT Journal T1 IMPACT OF MORINGA OLEIFERA DRIED LEAVES AND A PHYSICAL FORM OF A FORAGE SOURCE ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND METHANE EMISSION OF DAIRY COWS A1 Muhammad Farhan Ayaz Chishti A1 Muhamamad Shahid Ibni Zamir A1 Muhammad Hasnain Shah A1 Wajid Ali A1 Muhammad Farooq Khalid A1 Muhammad Qamar Bilal A1 Muhammad Riaz A1 Umar Farooq A1 Riaz Mustafa A1 Waseem Abbas A1 Muhammad Aziz ur Rahman JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 35 IS 6 SP 1755 OP 1764 YR 2025 FD 2025/11/30 DO DOI https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.6.0150 AB

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.

K1 Tree leaves, Moringa oleifera, Forage, dairy cows, performance, methane PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2025-JAPS-404