Effects of usage juniper molasses (juniperus drupacea) on dairy cattle pellet feed quality

Effects of Usage Juniper Molasses (Juniperus drupacea) on Dairy Cattle Pellet Feed Quality This study was carried out to determine the effect of the uses of Syrian Juniper molasses on pellet quality characteristics of dairy cow feed production. In the study, 12 tons of feed (6 batches) were produced for the control and experimental groups in a commercial feed factory. Each batch contains 2 tonnes of feed. Two groups were arranged as one control and one experimental group. 1% juniper was added to the experimental group as top-dress on the feed. In pellet feed production, the disc having a hole diameter of 5 mm and a wall thickness of 65 mm were used. Three samples were taken from the mixer, after the conditioner, after the press and from the refrigerant outlet and dry matter analyzes were carried out four times in all samples. The pellet endurance index (PEI) was measured with the Pfost instrument. Pellet endurance index was found as 97,44 and 95,55 in the control and experimental groups, respectively. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p> 0,05). During making stages, samples were taken from mixer (M), post conditioner (PC), after pellet press (PP) and from the refrigerant outlet (R). dry matter (DM) analyzes were performed in the samples. The values obtained in the control and trial group were M: 88,30 and 88,76, PC: 88,57 and 88,11%, PP: 89,55% and 90,11%, R: 89,70% and 89,75%, respectively. The results found to be different between the groups in terms of post-conditioner and refrigerant outlet were statistically significant (p<0,05). According to the nutrient analysis performed in control and experimental group feeds, Crude Fat (CF); 3,53% and 3,62 (p<0,05), Crude cellulose (CS); 8,33% and 8,43 and Crude ash (CA): 10,31% and 10,00% (p<0,05) respectively, were found. As a result it was found that Syrian juniper molasses did not decrease the pellet quality when added to the pellet feeds of the milch cows at the level of 1% moreover provided higher dry matter pellet feed. Key words:Juniper, dairy cattle, pellet feed, quality