Influence of oral administration of Salix babylonica extract on milk production and composition in dairy cows

A 3x3 Latin Square design was used to evaluate effects of 0, 150 and 300 mL of Salix babylonica (SB) extract mixed into the diet on daily milk production and composition in cows. Three Brown Swiss dairy cows (420 +/- 30.3 kg body weight), at late lactation (220 +/- 25.1 d in milk), were fed a diet with a restricted amount of concentrate and oat hay ad libitum twice daily in equal amounts. The SB extract was mixed daily with a small amount of concentrate and fed to the cows. In vitro gas production of the diet fed to the cows was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation with 0, 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL SB/g DM. Intake of oat hay was increased (P<0.05) by 11.5% with the SB addition at 150 mL/d. Milk production was also increased with extract addition at 150 or 300 mL/d by about 13.3 and 8.9% respectively, compared with control. Milk fat was lower (P<0.05) with SB addition, while milk protein and lactose were not affected by the extract addition. Milk efficiency was improved (P<0.05) with extract addition versus control. In vitro gas production of the diet increased (P<0.05) dramatically with increasing levels of extract addition with a short lag time and high rate of gas production per hour vs control. Addition of SB extract at 150 mL/d improved milk production by 13.3%, while it decreased its fat content and improved milk efficiency.