TRISODIUM CITRATE USE IN DAIRY COWS AND EFFECTS ON DAILY MILK YIELD AND QUALITY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of trisodium citrate can reduce milk somatic cell counts and consequently increase the milk yield and quality in dairy cows on third and fourth lactation. Twelve holstein cows were divided into 2 groups, 5 of them were chosen as trial which have received orally 30 mg trisodium citrate per kg of body weight in diluted form daily during 7 days. Apart from daily milk yield , milk sampling was performed before, after and during trisodium citrate treatment in both trial and control groups. Individual milk protein, fat, total dry matter, milk pH, somatic cell counts and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were measured in each of milk samples. There was no significant difference regarding daily milk yield, fat, protein, dry matter of milk and milk ORP values between 2 groups. But somatic cell counts were significantly lower in trisodium citrate-given group during experimental period. In conclusion, trisodium citrate may be useful for improving milk quality regarding somatic cell counts.