Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 2, December 2026
Pages:
85-93
Received:
10 August 2026
Accepted:
18 August 2026
Published:
9 November 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sdnutr.20260102.12
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Views:
Abstract: The objective of this study was to formulate total mixed ration (TMR) for lactating dairy cows that include coconut oil (CO) and adjusted neutral detergent fibre (NDF) to ensure that every bite consumed by the animal is nutritionally balanced with potential of greenhouse gases mitigation. Therefore, it was hypothesized that inclusion of CO up to 6% in TMR, with proportional reduction in NDF, would reduce greenhouse gases without adversely affecting the nutritive composition of the diets. Forage-based diet was used as a control (T1) compared to TMR that incorporated coconut oil at 0, 2, 4 and 6% with adjusted NDF at 47.66%, 41.64%, 34.67% and 29.01% levels as T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay, wheat bran, maize germ, sunflower meal, canola meal, and a mineral premix were ingredients used and analyzed using Proxime and Van Soest procedures for chemical composition of the diets. Parameters analyzed: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), calculated non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC), gross energy (GE), and mineral content. Statistical analysis was done using SAS, 9.4 (2002) considering Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with Tukey at 5% significance. Results demonstrated that all nutritive parameters were higher in the TMR diets than in the forage-based diet, while meeting the nutrient requirements of lactating dairy cows. Within the TMR diets, DM, 45.6-46.1%; CP, 17.9-19.3%; and GE, 17.9-18.7 MJ kg⁻1) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). However, NFC was significantly higher in T4, 22.9% and T5, 23.4% than in T2, 13.5% and T3,12.9% (P < 0.05). Ether extract and NDF differed significantly (P < 0.05) among all diets, reflecting the intended increase in CO inclusion and proportional reduction in NDF. Concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and chlorine (Cl) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the TMR diets than in the forage-based diet. The findings demonstrate that TMRs supplemented with up to 6% coconut oil and proportionally adjusted NDF can satisfy the recommended nutrient requirements of lactating dairy cows despite their relatively lower mineral concentrations. Therefore, supplemental mineral blocks are recommended during feeding to ensure adequate mineral intake without compromising rumen function, milk production, or animal health.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to formulate total mixed ration (TMR) for lactating dairy cows that include coconut oil (CO) and adjusted neutral detergent fibre (NDF) to ensure that every bite consumed by the animal is nutritionally balanced with potential of greenhouse gases mitigation. Therefore, it was hypothesized that inclusion of CO up to 6%...
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