Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Tropical Animal Health and Production, cilt.57, sa.4, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of using different levels of flaxseed in dairy cattle diet on performance and milk fatty acid profile. For this purpose, 9 lactating Holstein cows of the same parity and lactation stage were used. The study followed a crossover design with three periods, three treatment groups, and three cows per group. Each period lasted 21 days, of which 14 days was the adaptation period and 7 days was the data collection period. During the experiment, 2 different concentrate feeds were used, along with corn silage, vetch hay, wet sugar beet pulp, and straw as roughages. Feeds were prepared as a total mixed ration. Cows in control, 1st and 2nd treatment groups received a diet containing 0, 250 and 500 g/d flaxseed, respectively. Adding flaxseed to the diet did not affect dry matter intake, milk yield, feed efficiency, or milk fat, lactose, and urea nitrogen (P > 0.05). However, it increased omega-3 fatty acids in milk and decreased the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids (P < 0.05). Results showed that adding different levels of flaxseed to the diets increased omega-3 fatty acids in milk without negatively affecting performance or fat percentages, making it suitable for producing functional milk.