Increasing the efficiency of beef production by means of correcting cicatricial digestion with a mineral complex and plant extract

Abstract

The study presents the results of evaluating the effect of oak bark extract (OBE) and FeCo alloy mineral complex (MC) on digestion processes in the rumen of cattle, in particular, digestibility, hydrogen index and microbiome. The use of FeCo alloy mineral complex with OBE leads to an increase in digestibility of dry matter of the feed by 12.0 % as compared to the control. Changes in the hydrogen ions concentration were in the range of 7.0–8.10 pH. It was revealed during the experiment that both individual and joint introduction of OBE and FeCo mineral complex affects quantitative content of ciliates and bacteria. 6 hours after feeding, the number of ciliates increased with introduction of OBE by 20.4 % relative to the control and protozoa mass with the addition of FeCo mineral complex increased by 111 % (p≤0.01). The data obtained when introducing combination of OBE and FeCo alloy mineral complex indicate an increase in ruminal digestion through the synergistic effect of the mineral complex and FeCo alloy. The studied substances can be used in the industrial production of animal feed.