The use of soybeans in the structure of the ration of high-yielding cows

In the conditions of intensive milk production in order to ensure high productivity and at the same time preserve the general functional state of animal health it is impossible to do without the use of protein-rich grain components in the structure of compound feed. These include soybeans, which in the western region of Ukraine began to be widely used in the production of compound feed for cattle. The percentage of introduction of soybeans into the structure of compound feed is different and for high-yielding cows requires additional study, which explains the relevance of conducting research on its influence on milk productivity, quality indicators of milk against the background of assimilation of the main nutrients of feed. The study was conducted on four groups of Simmental cows, seven heads in each. The rations of experimental cows provided for three levels of provision of protein needs at the expense of soybeans and were balanced in terms of basic nutrients in compliance with the requirements of detailed requirements. The analysis of the feeding conditions of experimental cows showed that the use of heat-treated soybeans in the structure of the ration contributed to a significant increase in milk productivity, as well as quality indicators, the content of dry matter, fat, protein, calcium and phosphorus. A similar pattern was observed in terms of indicators of the intensity of metabolic processes of cicatricial digestion. Thus, a positive effect on the percentage of certain volatile fatty acids, in particular acetic as a precursor of milk fat was noted. An increase was noted in the digestibility indicators of the main nutrients (protein, fat, fiber digestibility coefficients). The positive effect of soybeans on the milk productivity of the experimental cows was also noted by the results of the balance experiment. The nitrogen balance was positive and its use for milk production in cows of the fourth group compared to the control group was 27.4 % higher. A similar trend was observed in the balance of calcium and phosphorus. So, the conducted studies on the study of the productive effect of different amounts of soybeans instead of cereal components in the structure of compound feed on milk productivity give reason to recommend that farms use prepared soybeans in the proportion of 10–15 % in compound feed for high-yielding cows.