Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A034
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A034
Published online: 22 April 2026
On-farm evaluation of combined feed additives in dairy cow
Rusnė Stankevičiūtė*1, Lina Anskienė2 and Rolandas Stankevičius1
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Health Sciences, 18 Tilzes St., Kaunas, Lithuania
2 Department of Animal Breeding, University of Health Sciences, 18 Tilzes St., Kaunas, Lithuania
* Corresponding author: rusne.stankeviciute@lsmu.lt
The use of multi-component feed additives has gained increasing interest as a practical approach to support productivity and milk quality in dairy production systems. This study evaluated the short-term effects of a combined supplementation strategy including clinoptilolite, magnesium oxide (MgO), and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) yeast on milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cows under farm conditions.
A total of 30 cows were allocated to either a control group or a supplemented group receiving the combined additive formulation for three months. Milk yield, energy-corrected milk (ECM), and milk composition parameters (fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCC), pH, and fatty acid fractions) were analyzed using linear mixed models with group and month as fixed effects.
The supplemented group showed higher milk fat percentage (3.98% vs. 3.63%; P=0.009) and ECM yield (33.23 vs. 30.55 kg/day; P=0.036) compared to the control group, while no significant differences were observed for milk yield, protein, lactose, SCC, or fatty acid fractions (P≥0.05). Milk pH tended to be higher in the supplemented group (P=0.024). Month effects were significant for several traits, indicating a notable influence of seasonal variation during the study period.
In conclusion, short-term supplementation with a combined clinoptilolite, MgO, and MOS yeast additive was associated with increased milk fat concentration and ECM yield under practical farm conditions, while most other parameters remained unaffected.
Keywords: dairy cows; energy corrected milk; feed supplementation
How to cite
Stankevičiūtė R., Anskienė L., Stankevičius R., 2026. On-farm evaluation of combined feed additives in dairy cow. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A034