M. E. Belyshkina, O. V. Serebryakova
Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Moscow, Russia
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Volume 26 No. 7
Date of paper submission: 14.06.2024 , date of review: 27.05.2025 , date of acceptance: 11.03.2026.
Published: 07/31/2026
Abstract. The use of non-commercial honey as a feed additive in the diet of lactating cows can be an effective way to process this product, with maximum benefit from its nutritional value. The purpose of the study was to study the dynamics of changes in productive parameters and the number of cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Ruminococcus albus and Fibrobacter succinogenes) in the rumen of lactating cows when natural honey is included in their diet. Methods. During the study, the necessary structure of the diet of experimental groups of animals in the farm was determined, in which the introduction of honey will be the most effective solution. To determine the degree of honey's effect on the productivity of cows of the 2nd lactation, the level of productivity and the main physico-chemical and microbiological quality indicators of experimental milk samples were studied. The study of the state of the population of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen of lactating cows and their productivity during the experimental period were determined by standard methods. Results. Based on the conducted research, conclusions can be drawn that indicate the positive effect of feeding cows with honey in the amount of 0.2 kg per head/day to the milk yield level, which increased by 8.1 %. The results of qualitative indicators of the mass fraction of fat and protein also increased by 5.3 % and 21.3 %, respectively. The increase in quality indicators was due to an increase in the level of cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen by 5.1 % over 6 months. The results obtained make it possible to justify further research on this issue, in order to develop recommendations on optimal conditions for the introduction of non-commercial honey into the diet of lactating cows, in order to ensure an increase in productive indicators for the herd. Scientific novelty. For the first time, the use of non-marketable honey at a dosage of 0.2 kg per head per day in the diet of lactating cows was studied, resulting in positive dynamics in productivity when it was used.
Keywords: cow productivity, rumen microbiome, natural honey, feed additive
For citation: Belyshkina M. E., Serebryakova O. V. The effectiveness of using honey as a feed additive in the diet of lactating cows. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (07): 1254‒1264. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-07-1254-1264 (In Russ.)
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