Organic Trace Minerals Improved the Productive and Reproductive Performance of Friesian Cows Better Than Inorganic Minerals.

This study aimed to compare the influence of chelated organic (OTM) and inorganic trace minerals (ITM) on the digestibility coefficient, nutritive values, reproductive performance, and milk yield of Friesian cows. Cows (n=50) were divided into 5 groups; cows in the first group (control, G1) were given an untreated diet, whereas diets in G2 were supplemented with 100% ITM, G3 were received 50% ITM and 50% OTM, G4 were received 25% ITM and 75% OTM, and G5 were supplied with 100% OTM. G5 and G4 digested DM more efficiently than other groups. OM and NFE digestion were significantly larger in G5 and G4 compared to other groups. Cows supplemented with OTM and/or ITM showed significantly higher average daily milk, 4% fat corrected milk yield, and fat % than the control group. Protein % and total solid % significantly increased in G5 than in G1. The interval from calving to estrus was shorter in G5 than in other groups. G4 and G5 had a significantly lower number of days open and services per conception and a significantly greater conception rate than other groups. With these results, we conclude that supplementation of Friesian cows with a diet containing permissible limits of organic trace minerals could significantly improve the digestibility coefficient, nutritive values, reproductive performance, and milk yield compared to cows fed on inorganic trace elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]