Effect of Dietary Organic Acids and Botanicals on Metabolic Status and Milk Parameters in Mid–LateLactating Goats

The microencapsulated mixture of organic acids and pure botanicals (OA/PB) has never been evaluated in goats. The aim of thisstudy was to extend the analysis to mid–latelactating dairy goats, evaluating the effects of OA/PB supplementation on the metabolic status, milk bacteriological and composition characteristics, and milk yield. Eighty mid–latelactating Saanen goatswere ran-domly assigned to two groups: one group was fed the basal total balanced ration (TMR) (CRT; n=40) and the other was fed a diet that wasTMR supplemented with 10 g/head of OA/PB (TRT; n=40) for 54 days during the summer period. The temperature–humidity index (THI) was recorded hourly. On days T0, T27, and T54, the milk yield was recorded,and blood and milk samples were collected during the morning milking. A linear mixed model was used, considering the fixed effects: diet, time,and their interaction. The THI data (mean ±SD: 73.5 ±3.83) show that the goats did not endure heat stress. The blood parameters fell within the normal range, confirming that their meta-bolic status was not negatively influenced by OA/PB supplementation. OA/PB increased the milk fat content (p=0.04) and milk coagulation index (p=0.03),which areeffects that are looked on as favorable by the dairy industry in relation to cheese production.