Author(s):

PC Joshi, MM Pawar, YM Gami, SS Patil, MP Patel and HH Panchasara

Abstract: Functional oils, such as castor oil are chemical substances extracted from various plants parts which provide health benefits besides their nutritive properties. A pilot study was conducted to assess the effect of feeding castor (Ricinus communis) oil on milk yield and composition in lactating Kankrej cows. Thirty two lactating Kankrej cows (21 days in milk; average 9.74 kg/d of milk yield) were assigned randomly into four treatments having 8 cows each. The four treatments were: T₁: control group (without castor oil); T₂: 5 ml/d castor oil; T₃: 10 ml/d castor oil and T₄: 15 ml/d castor oil supplementation for a period of 21 days. The average milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) yield was increased numerically by 7.6, 9.2 and 9.8%, respectively in T₄ group as compared to control. The percentage of milk fat and lactose were similar among the different treatments. Milk total solids, solid-not fat and protein were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group T₂ than the group T₁ and comparable to both in the groups T₃ and T₄. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of castor oil at the rate of 15 ml/d has improved milk yield and modified the milk composition in lactating Kankrej cows.

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