The Effect of Dietary Copper, Zinc and Their Combination on Somatic Cell Counts and Daily Milk Yield of Kankrej Cattle in Arid Zone of Rajasthan

Abstract

A herd of Kankrej cows were grouped in 4 homogenous groups of 5 each as control, supplemented Copper, supplemented Zinc and supplemented with combination of copper and zinc. About 100 ml of milk samples at day 7th, 15th, 30th, 45th post-partum from individual animals of each milking was collected to analyse of somatic cell counts. The milk somatic cell counts was estimated lowest in supplemented combination followed by zinc, copper and control group of cows respectively. There was significant (P≤0.01) effect of treatment on somatic cell counts. The somatic cell counts were significantly (P≤0.01) higher in day 7th of lactation and decreased significantly (P≤0.01) on day 15th and the lower somatic cell count was observed on the day 45th. The daily milk yield was observed highest in combination group and the effect of treatment, days and the interaction due to the treatment x days were statistically significant (P≤0.01).