Evaluation of various leguminous forages to enhance milk yield and quality in Friesian Holstein dairy cattle

Muh Figri¹, Renny Fatmyah Utamy² and Ambo Ako²

¹ Animal Science and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia (90245)
rennyfatmyahutamy@unhas.ac.id
² Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia (90245)

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of substituting various leguminous forages in concentrate diets on the productive performance and milk quality of Friesian Holstein (FH) dairy cows. Key parameters assessed included dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, feed conversion efficiency (FCE) and milk composition. Twenty-five mid-lactation FH cows (4–7 months), aged 5–6 years with an average body weight of approximately 500 kg, were allocated in a 5 × 5 Latin Square Design. The dietary treatments comprised: Basal Concentrate 4.5 kg DM (BC); Basal Concentrate 3 kg DM + Leucaena leucocephala 1.1 kg DM (BCL); Basal Concentrate 3 kg DM + Gliricidia sepium 0.9 kg DM (BCG); Basal Concentrate 3 kg DM + Indigofera zollingeriana 0.9 kg DM (BCI); and Basal Concentrate 3 kg DM + Moringa oleifera 0.8 kg DM (BCM). The results demonstrated that legume substitution significantly affected DMI and FCE ( p < 0.05), while no significant differences were observed in milk yield or compositional attributes, including protein, fat, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, curd, and whey content ( p > 0.05). Despite a reduction in DMI among legume-supplemented groups, milk yield tended to increase, suggesting enhanced nutrient utilization efficiency. These findings underscore the potential of incorporating protein-rich leguminous forages into dairy cow diets as a biologically advantageous and economically viable strategy to optimize production performance without compromising milk quality.

Keywords: Holstein Friesian dairy cow, various leguminous, concentrate, milk production and milk quality

Introduction

Lactating dairy cows require a well-balanced and nutritionally adequate diet to sustain optimal milk production and maintain milk quality (Nugroho and Astri 2022). One of the major limitations to achieving high productivity in dairy systems is suboptimal feed management, particularly at the smallholder level (Ako et al 2023). Commonly utilized forage sources such as elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), although widely available, often fail to meet the elevated nutritional requirements of lactating cows. Consequently, supplementation with concentrate feeds characterized by high crude protein content (CP > 20%) and low crude fiber (CFi < 18%) becomes essential to support enhanced productivity (Bai et al., 2023). However, access to high-quality concentrate ingredients remains a significant challenge for smallholder farmers. The reliance on basal concentrates such as rice bran (CFi 12–18%; SNI 2013) and tofu pulp (CP ≈ 21%; Diansyah et al 2018) is constrained by limited availability and rising costs, exacerbated by competition from other livestock sectors. This situation underscores the urgent need to identify alternative, sustainable sources of concentrate feed. Concentrate ingredients may be derived from a diverse array of sources, including cereals, grains, agro-industrial by-products, minerals and forages (Ako et al 2023). Among these, leguminous forages present a promising alternative due to their high protein content (CP > 20%) and adaptability to tropical agroecosystems. Species such as Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Indigofera zollingeriana, and Moringa oleifera have been recognized for their superior nutritional profiles, with crude protein levels ranging from 22% to 28% (Thamaga et al 2021; Campos et al 2020; Susanti et al 2022; Kefe et al 2020; Kadir et al 2023; Aminah et al 2015). Their high protein content, ease of cultivation and resilience to tropical conditions make these legumes suitable candidates for inclusion in dairy cow diets. In light of these considerations, the present study was designed to evaluate the potential of various leguminous forages as sustainable substitutes for conventional concentrate feeds and to assess their effects on production performance and milk quality in Friesian Holstein (FH) dairy cows.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted from July to September 2024 in Enrekang Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Milk sample analyses were performed at the Makassar Health Laboratory Center, located at 11 Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan, Tamalanrea, Makassar City. The experimental animals consisted of 25 FH dairy cows aged 5–6 years, in mid-lactation (4–7 months), with an average body weight of approximately 500 kg. All cows were clinically healthy and maintained under uniform management conditions in individual stalls. The animals were fed a combination of forage and concentrate diets. The forage provided was elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), offered at 3% of body weight on a dry matter (DM) basis. The concentrate feed consisted of a basal mixture (rice bran and tofu pulp) and various leguminous forages, Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium , Indigofera zollingeriana and Moringa oleifera processed into meal. The substitution levels of each legume were adjusted to ensure uniform CP content across treatments, based on the specific protein composition of each legume. A 5 × 5 Latin Square Design was employed, comprising five dietary treatments and five replicates. The treatments were as follows:

BC: Basal concentrate 4.5 kg DM

BCL: Basal concentrate 3.0 kg DM + Leucaena leucocephala 1.1 kg DM

BCG: Basal concentrate 3.0 kg DM + Gliricidia sepium 0.9 kg DM

BCI: Basal concentrate 3.0 kg DM + Indigofera zollingeriana 0.9 kg DM

BCM: Basal concentrate 3.0 kg DM + Moringa oleifera 0.8 kg DM

The study was conducted over five experimental periods, each lasting 14 days. Each period included three phases: a 3-day adaptation phase, a 7-day data collection phase and a 4-day rest phase. Feed treatments were administered three times daily, morning, afternoon and evening while fresh drinking water was provided ad libitum. The parameters measured included milk yield, dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), milk protein, milk fat, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), curd and whey. Milk yield and DMI were recorded daily during the observation phase using a calibrated measuring cup and digital feed scales. FCE was calculated as the ratio of milk yield to DMI, following the method described by Arndt et al. (2015). Milk composition analyses were conducted using standardized laboratory methods. CP concentration was determined using the Indirect Kjeldahl method (AOAC Method 991.23; AOAC International 2005). Milk fat content was analyzed using the gravimetric method. Mineral contents (Ca, P, and Mg) were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry and Colorimetric methods (AOAC Method 991.25; AOAC International 2005). The percentages of curd and whey were calculated by dividing the final weight by the initial weight and multiplying by 100 to obtain the percentage yield.

The nutritional content of concentrate feed in each treatment is presented in Table 1.

Results and discussion

Production performance

The average values of production performance, including milk yield, DMI and FCE of FH dairy cows substituted with different types of legumes, are presented in Table 2.

Figure 1. Correlation between various legumes and milk production	Figure 2. Correlation between various legumes and FCE

The results revealed that dietary treatments considerably influenced dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) (p< 0.05), whereas milk yield remained statistically unaffected across treatments (p> 0.05) (Table 2). DMI was consistently lower in groups supplemented with leguminous forages compared to the basal concentrate group, with no significant differences observed among the legume-supplemented treatments. Interestingly, milk yield tended to be higher in the legume-supplemented groups, indicating improved nutrient utilization and greater FCE relative to the basal concentrate treatment. This enhanced efficiency may be attributed to the superior nutritional profile of leguminous forages, particularly their elevated protein content and the presence of bioactive compounds such as tannins and flavonoids. These phenolic compounds have been reported to stimulate prolactin secretion, thereby positively influencing milk synthesis. (Ako et al 2023) highlighted the potential of legume-based meals to enhance milk yield, while (Herremans et al 2020) noted that tannins in leguminous plants can modulate rumen metabolism, facilitating improved protein digestibility and intestinal absorption, which may contribute to a 2% increase in milk production. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids have been shown to enhance nutrient absorption and stimulate prolactin secretion (Maqsood et al 2017; Zhan et al 2017; Dewi et al 2022). Prolactin plays a critical role in mammary gland function and milk secretion (Kurpińska and Wiesław 2019). Supporting this, (Mufliha et al 2024) reported a significant increase in prolactin levels following supplementation with mung bean sprouts, a protein-rich legume, up to 15%. These findings align with the observations of (Ako et al 2023), who emphasized that concentrates derived from high-protein legumes can effectively enhance milk production and FCE in dairy cows.

Milk quality

Milk quality parameters of Friesian Holstein (FH) dairy cows fed different leguminous forage substitutions in concentrate diets are presented in Table 3.

The analysis encompassed chemical composition (protein and fat), physical properties (curd and whey) and mineral content (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). Statistical analysis indicated no significant differences among treatments for any of the measured parameters (p> 0.05). These findings suggest that the inclusion of various protein-rich leguminous forages Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium, Indigofera zollingeriana and Moringa oleifera as partial substitutes for conventional concentrate ingredients does not adversely affect milk composition. This aligns with the observations of (Sánchez et al 2006), who reported that the incorporation of leguminous forages into dairy cow diets did not significantly alter milk constituents such as fat, protein and total solids. Similarly, (Corea et al (2017) demonstrated that legume supplementation can effectively reduce feed costs while maintaining milk quality, thereby offering a sustainable and economically viable alternative for smallholder dairy systems. The consistency in milk quality across treatments reinforces the potential of leguminous forages as reliable components in dairy concentrate formulations, particularly in regions where access to conventional feed ingredients is limited or economically constrained.

Conclusion

The inclusion of protein-rich leguminous forages in the diets of Friesian Holstein dairy cows demonstrates promising potential to enhance production performance without adversely affecting milk quality. Although dry matter intake was reduced in the legume-supplemented groups, milk yield exhibited a tendency to increase, indicating improved feed conversion efficiency and more effective nutrient utilization. This enhancement is likely mediated by the high protein content and the presence of polyphenolic compounds such as tannins and flavonoids which are known to stimulate prolactin secretion, a key hormone in milk synthesis. Despite improvements in performance metrics, milk composition including protein, fat and mineral content remained consistent across all treatment groups, confirming that legume supplementation does not compromise milk quality. These findings support the strategic integration of protein-rich leguminous forages into dairy cow rations as a biologically advantageous and economically feasible approach to improving dairy productivity, particularly in resource-constrained smallholder systems.

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