Nutritional Disorders in Dairy Cattle during mid Lactation Period in Khartoum State

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate some biochemical parameters in dairy cows during mid lactation period and to identify the types of nutrients and the factors that leading to nutritional disorders in the period from November to December 2017. The study was done in Jabal Awlia and Omdurman localities – Khartoum State. A total of 50 cows in mid lactation period were selected randomly from the two localities [25 cows from each locality]. Blood samples [50 samples] were taken from jugular vein for separation of serum to evaluate of total protein, albumin, glucose, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, sodium and potassium. A questionnaire was conducted to obtain information about dairy men [50 men], diseases associated with dairy farms and the feeding system. The results revealed that there was no significant changes in biochemical parameters in these animals [p>0.05]. But the level of total protein was statistically significant [p< 0.05]. Dairy men interviewed their age was between 21 to over 40 years old. Most of them were uneducated [40%] and only 8% of them were working in dairy farm for over 19 years. The occurrence of nutritional disorders was common in two localities [48%] and most of these disorders occurred in dry season [48%]. Most of the diseases occurred in cross breed over 4 years old [26%] with morbidity rate 32.7% and mortality rate 40%. Some risk factors in the farms leading to disturbance of nutrition that the animals were not grazing ]36%] or with limited movement [56%] and using of semi-intensive system [48%]. In conclusion, supplementation of diet with constitutes energy feed, minerals, vitamins, concentrate mixture improve the animal health and prevent occurring of the diseases in lactation period.