| Author(s) | A. I. Al-Haidary, A. M. Al-Soghier and M.A. Alshaikh |
| Affiliation | Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh |
| Title | Effect of Niacin Supplementation on Holstein Cattle Performance During Summer Months |
| Source | Journal of King Saud University. Agricultural Sciences. Volume 14, No 2. (2002/1422) |
| Abstract | Thirty-two high lactating Holstein cattle were used in this study to determine the effect of niacin supplementation, as a means of improving thermoregulatory responses, on dairy cattle performance during summer conditions. The experiment was conducted in Alkharj area, central region of Saudi Arabia. Half of these animals were used during summer and the other half during winter. In each season, eight animals were served as control and fed the basal diet, and the rest of the animals fed the niacin (8g/cow/day). Cows were housed in covered free stall cooled with Korral Kool system during summer months and milked three times a day. Exposure to summer heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in milk production (24.3%). Niacin supplementation positively affected animal performance, milk production increased significantly (7.1 and 10.1% during summer and winter, respectively). Supplementation with niacin did not significantly affect rectal tempereture, and skin temperature while respiratory rate increased significantly. These results show that niacin supplementation to heat-stressed dairy cattle was beneficial. |
