Randomised Complete Block Design on Biyinzika Dairy Meal Supplementation and Physicochemical Properties of Milk Quality in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor
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Abstract Background Milk produced in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is often of low quality due to reliance on nutritionally poor natural pastures. Despite the potential benefits, feed supplementation remains uncommon in this region. This study aimed to assess the effect of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) supplementation on physicochemical parameters of milk quality and dairy cow body condition scores. Results A total of 60 dairy cows were randomly assigned to three treatment groups in a randomised complete block design and fed varying amounts of BDM for 30 days. Physicochemical milk parameters and body condition scores (BCS) were measured before, during, and after supplementation. Baseline BCS did not differ significantly between groups, but supplemented cows showed significant improvement during and after the trial (p < 0.05). Milk fat, solid non-fat content, density, and protein levels increased significantly with supplementation (p < 0.05), while lactose, salts, and pH showed no significant changes. Conclusions Feed supplementation with BDM improved selected physicochemical properties of milk and enhanced body condition scores of dairy cows in the SWCC. These findings highlight the potential of formulated feed supplements to improve the quality of milk and support farmer livelihoods in regions dependent on natural pastures. Wider adoption of supplementation and exploration of local feed alternatives may further enhance physicochemical milk quality parameters and market value.
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Randomised Complete Block Design on Biyinzika Dairy Meal Supplementation and Physicochemical Properties of Milk Quality in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Randomised Complete Block Design on Biyinzika Dairy Meal Supplementation and Physicochemical Properties of Milk Quality in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor John Mary Atusasiibwe, Eunice Apio Olet, Raphael Wangalwa, Ronald Twongyirwe, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Milk produced in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is often of low quality due to reliance on nutritionally poor natural pastures. Despite the potential benefits, feed supplementation remains uncommon in this region. This study aimed to assess the effect of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) supplementation on physicochemical parameters of milk quality and dairy cow body condition scores. Results A total of 60 dairy cows were randomly assigned to three treatment groups in a randomised complete block design and fed varying amounts of BDM for 30 days. Physicochemical milk parameters and body condition scores (BCS) were measured before, during, and after supplementation. Baseline BCS did not differ significantly between groups, but supplemented cows showed significant improvement during and after the trial (p < 0.05). Milk fat, solid non-fat content, density, and protein levels increased significantly with supplementation (p < 0.05), while lactose, salts, and pH showed no significant changes. Conclusions Feed supplementation with BDM improved selected physicochemical properties of milk and enhanced body condition scores of dairy cows in the SWCC. These findings highlight the potential of formulated feed supplements to improve the quality of milk and support farmer livelihoods in regions dependent on natural pastures. Wider adoption of supplementation and exploration of local feed alternatives may further enhance physicochemical milk quality parameters and market value. Milk quality Feed supplementation Biyinzika Dairy Meal Physicochemical properties Body condition score Uganda South-Western Cattle Corridor Background The dairy sector is a strategic component of Uganda’s economy, contributing to household nutrition, rural livelihoods, and national development priorities under Vision 2040 (Rugerri, 2024). Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is the leading milk-producing region, accounting for nearly a quarter of national production. Despite this output, milk quality in the region remains below acceptable standards, undermining both local consumption and export potential (Priyashantha, 2025). Low milk quality in the SWCC is primarily attributed to reliance on natural pastures, which are nutritionally poor and highly seasonal (Timlin et al., 2021). Recent assessments confirm that these pastures are insufficient to meet the dietary needs of dairy cows, resulting in poor milk composition and reduced body condition scores (BCS) (Vikas et al., 2015). While feed supplementation is recognised as a key strategy for improving productivity and quality, adoption rates in Uganda remain low (Baltenweck et al., 2020). For example, less than 71% of farmers in the corridor use supplementary feeds, and those who do often rely on unformulated inputs such as maize bran or brewer’s mash, which vary in nutritional quality and lack standardised administration protocols (Tibezinda et al., 2016). Globally, studies over the past few years highlight the importance of formulated feed concentrates in improving milk yield and quality. Evidence from Africa and Asia indicates that supplementation with balanced rations can increase milk protein, fat, and solid non-fat (SNF) content, while also enhancing animal health and resilience to climate stress (Tadesse et al., 2022, Oloo et al., 2023, Jalata et al., 2023). In Uganda, however, limited empirical data exist on the impact of locally formulated commercial feeds on both physicochemical and microbial quality parameters of milk. Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) is a locally formulated concentrate designed to improve dairy productivity, but its influence on milk quality in Uganda has not been rigorously evaluated. With the country preparing to introduce a quality-based milk pricing system where higher payments are tied to improved fat and protein, understanding the effect of supplementation on milk quality is increasingly essential for farmer incomes and competitiveness (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023, Ariong et al., 2024). The present study, therefore, investigated the effect of BDM supplementation on milk quality and cow body condition scores in the SWCC. By generating empirical evidence, this research addresses critical knowledge gaps on the role of formulated feeds in enhancing milk quality. It supports the development of farmer and policy interventions aimed at achieving sustainable improvements in Uganda’s dairy sector. Methods Aim, Design, and Setting This study aimed to determine the effect of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) supplementation on physicochemical parameters of milk quality and body condition scores (BCS) of dairy cows in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC). A randomised complete block design (RCBD) was employed, with blocks based on parity, breed, and lactation stage to account for herd heterogeneity. The study was conducted in four districts within the SWCC: Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, and Isingiro selected for their high milk production and prior involvement in several dairy development projects. Study Farms and Participants Ten farms were selected from a pool of 203 previously characterised farms. Selection criteria included: (i) a minimum of ten lactating cows, (ii) at least six cows having calved within the previous two months, (iii) cows of similar breed composition, (iv) comparable productivity levels. Cows with a parity of three or less were preferred, as parity is associated with milk physicochemical parameter composition changes. In total, 60 cows were enrolled across the farms. Interventions and Comparisons Animals were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: Control group: Cows fed on natural pastures only (no supplementation). Treatment 1: Cows supplemented with 2 kg/day of BDM (Biyinzika Poultry International Ltd., Uganda). Treatment 2: cows supplemented with 4 kg/day of BDM. The feeding trial lasted 30 days. Before treatment, cows were monitored for 7–14 days to establish baseline BCS and milk quality. During and after supplementation, milk samples were collected at regular intervals for physicochemical parameter analysis. BCS were also measured repeatedly over the study period. Sample Collection and Measurements Milk samples were collected under sterile conditions and analysed for fat, protein, solid non-fat (SNF), density, and other physicochemical properties using standard dairy analytical procedures. Statistical Analysis Data were entered and cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and outliers were identified via boxplots. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare physicochemical parameter outcomes across treatment groups. For BCS, a general linear model (GLM) was fitted, with the amount of supplement as the predictor. The model was specified as: Ŷijk = β 0 + Xijk Where: Ŷijk = body condition score, β0 = intercept, Xijk = supplement treatment (0, 2 kg, or 4 kg per cow/day). Significance was determined at p 0.05) in most milk physicochemical parameters before, during, and after supplementation, except for fat, solid non-fat (SNF), density, and protein, which showed significant improvements among supplemented groups. For example, cows supplemented with 4 kg of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) recorded significantly higher SNF and protein values compared with controls (Table 2). Discussions The study revealed that supplementation with Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) significantly improved milk fat, protein, SNF, and density, indicating significant dietary effects on milk quality (Tadesse et al., 2022). Cows receiving 4 kg of BDM recorded significantly higher values than controls, showing a strong association between formulated supplementation and enhanced nutrient content of milk (Jalata et al., 2023). These findings corroborate reports that balanced concentrate feeds substantially improve milk protein and fat fractions, which are economically valuable under quality-based dairy pricing systems (Oloo et al., 2023). Fat and protein levels are critical benchmarks in Uganda’s dairy markets, making these improvements particularly relevant for boosting farmer incomes within quality-based payment frameworks (Ariong et al., 2024). The absence of significant changes in lactose and pH suggests stability of these traits, which are less responsive to nutritional interventions than fat and protein (Walter et al., 2022). Therefore, BDM supplementation selectively enhances milk quality attributes most valued by processors, strengthening prospects for improved productivity, household nutrition, and economic resilience in Uganda’s dairy corridor. The association between supplementation and improved physico-chemical traits underscores the role of feed formulation in addressing nutritional deficiencies of natural pastures in sub-Saharan Africa (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor pastures remain nutritionally poor, and supplementation with BDM clearly countered these deficits by significantly improving milk protein and SNF contents (Kilima et al., 2024). Comparable findings have been documented across East Africa, where feed supplementation with balanced concentrates enhanced milk yield, protein, and fat quality in smallholder dairy systems (Tadesse et al., 2022). Improved protein content increases milk processing value for cheese and yoghurt, while increased SNF raises density and overall nutritive value, benefiting both consumers and processors (Ariong et al., 2024). These findings emphasise supplementation’s dual role in improving household nutrition and increasing the competitiveness of milk in both domestic and potential export markets (Jalata et al., 2023). Consequently, integrating formulated feed supplementation into Uganda’s dairy strategies offers a pathway for overcoming pasture-based nutritional limitations and enhancing dairy production sustainably (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). Although supplementation improved milk quality, variation across treatment groups suggests breed, parity, and lactation stage differences influenced how cows responded to dietary interventions (Walter et al., 2022). This variability reflects the complexity of real-farm environments, where genetic diversity, feed access, and management practices collectively shape outcomes of supplementation strategies (Kilima et al., 2024). Similar inconsistencies have been documented in Tanzania and Kenya, where supplementation improved fat and protein, but effects varied across production systems and cow categories (Tadesse et al., 2022). High-yielding cows often exhibit different metabolic responses to supplementation compared with lower-yielding animals, influencing protein deposition and fat synthesis pathways (Berry et al., 2021). Such findings indicate that supplementation should be integrated with herd management strategies, including targeted breeding and health programs, to maximise benefits consistently (Oloo et al., 2023). Therefore, supplementation must be adopted as part of a holistic dairy improvement strategy rather than as an isolated intervention for boosting milk quality (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). While improved milk composition is encouraging, farmer adoption depends on effective implementation of quality-based milk pricing systems rewarding higher protein and fat content (Ariong et al., 2024). If linked to premium payments, farmers could increasingly adopt supplementation practices like BDM, boosting incomes and supporting sector resilience against fluctuating market conditions (Jalata et al., 2023). However, without institutional mechanisms, farmers may lack sufficient incentives to invest in supplementation despite demonstrated nutritional and productivity benefits (Kilima et al., 2024). This underscores the need for policy alignment to ensure supplementation outcomes translate into tangible benefits through structured dairy value chain interventions (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). Integrating feed supplementation into extension and farmer support programs could accelerate uptake and amplify the positive effects documented in controlled research environments (Tadesse et al., 2022). Ultimately, strengthening institutional frameworks alongside technical innovations will be critical for realising the full potential of supplementation in transforming Uganda’s dairy sector. Conclusions This study found that supplementation with Biyinzika Dairy Meal significantly improved milk fat, protein, SNF, and density, and enhanced body condition scores. These results indicate that feed supplementation effectively addresses nutritional deficiencies of natural pastures but must be complemented by improved milk hygiene to ensure comprehensive quality improvements. For stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and processors, the findings highlight the practical value of integrating supplementation into dairy systems and support the theory on nutrition-driven quality-based pricing models. Future research should explore longer supplementation periods, larger sample sizes across multiple regions, and advanced microbial profiling methods to fully capture nutritional and safety impacts. Abbreviations ANOVA Analysis of Variance BCS Body Condition Score BDM Biyinzika Dairy Meal FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, GLM–General Linear Model RCBD Randomized Complete Block Design SNF Solid Non–Fat SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences SWCC South–Western Cattle Corridor. Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The study involved the collection of milk samples and body condition scoring of dairy cows. Ethical approval was obtained from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee (MUST-REC, Ref: MUREC 1/7). Farm owners provided informed consent before participation, and all procedures adhered to the ethical standards for animal care and use in research. Consent for publication Not applicable, as no person’s data (including images, videos, or personal details) is presented in this article. Availability of data and materials The datasets generated and analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding This study received direct funding from Cambridge African Albroda Trust. [Partial support was received from the Netherland Development Organisation (SNV) through The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE), Mbarara University of Science and Technology who provided fieldwork logistical support and Biyinzika Poultry International limited that provided the dairy meal.] Authors’ contributions JMA conceptualised the study conducted data collection and did laboratory analyses. RW designed the methodology and conducted statistical analysis. EO, RT and MB oversaw and guided the study. JMA drafted the manuscript, and all authors reviewed and approved the final version. Acknowledgements The authors are indebted to Cambridge African Albroda Trust scholarship for funding this project, the Netherland Development Organisation (SNV) through The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology for logistical support plus Biyinzika Poultry International limited for providing the dairy meal. They gratefully acknowledge the participating farmers from Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor, field assistants and laboratory staff who contributed to data collection and analyses. Author details Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected] Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected] Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected] Department of Environment and Livelihood Support Systems, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected] School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights House, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 217, Reading RG6 6AH, England email: Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, England email: [email protected] References Ariong, R. M., Chamberlin, J., Kariuki, S. W., et al. 2024. Quality upgrading in dairy value chains: Mixed methods evidence from southwestern Uganda , Intl Food Policy Res Inst. Baltenweck, I., Cherney, D., Duncan, A., et al. 2020. A scoping review of feed interventions and livelihoods of small-scale livestock keepers. Nature plants, 6 , 1242-1249. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2023. Livestock and enteric methane. FAO. . Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://www.fao.org/in-action/enteric-methane/countries/east-africa/en. Jalata, B., Goshu, H. A., Mediksa, T., et al. 2023. Reproductive performance of Horro and Horro-crossbred dairy cows in Ethiopia’s subhumid tropical environments. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 55 , 323. Kilima, F. T. M., Msalya, G. M. & Omore, A. 2024. Enhancing capacity to comply with sustainability standards in the milk value chain in East Africa: Challenges, prospects, and policy implications. Sustainability, 16 , 8100. Oloo, R. D., Ojango, J. M., Ekine-Dzivenu, C. C., et al. 2023. Enhancing individual animal resilience to environmental disturbances to address low productivity in dairy cattle performing in sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4 , 1254877. Priyashantha, H. 2025. World dairy system sustainability: a milk quality perspective. Frontiers in Sustainable Resource Management, 4 , 1572962. Rugerri, M. 2024. Livestock Sector Climate Finance Flows in Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Tadesse, A., Tesfay, Y. & Fievez, V. 2022. Exploring dietary quality characteristics related to milk yield of crossbred cows in Ethiopian smallholder farms: a clustering and multivariate analysis approach. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 54 , 89. Tibezinda, M., Wredle, E., Sabiiti, E. N., et al. 2016. Feed resource utilization and dairy cattle productivity in the agro-pastoral system of South Western Uganda. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11 , 2957-2967. Timlin, M., Tobin, J. T., Brodkorb, A., et al. 2021. The impact of seasonality in pasture-based production systems on milk composition and functionality. Foods, 10 , 607. Vikas, S., Singh, V., Singh, S., et al. 2015. The effect of body condition score at calving on milk yield, milk composition and udder health status of dairy animals. Journal of Dairy, Veterinary & Animal Research, 2 , 1-4. Walter, L. L., Gärtner, T., Gernand, E., et al. 2022. Effects of parity and stage of lactation on trend and variability of metabolic markers in dairy cows. Animals, 12 , 1008. Tables Table 1 Number of farms and cows selected per district District Number of farms for farm characterisation Number of farms for feed experimentation Number of cows under experimentation Isingiro 61 3 18 Kiruhura 41 2 12 Mbarara 81 4 24 Ntungamo 20 1 06 Total 203 10 60 Table 3 Summary of statistical results for physical-chemical parameters of milk from various treatment groups. Treatments Parameter Session No supplement n = 20 2 Kg of BDM n = 20 4 Kg of BDM n = 20 P Before 4.31 ± 0.87 3.24 ± 0.33 3.77 ± 0.53 0.469 Fats (%) During 4.26 ± 0.71 4.04 ± 0.29 5.28 ± 0.52 0.234 After 3.34 ± 0.48 3.85 ± 0.48 3.5 ± 0.37 0.743 P 0.57 0.078 0.032 SNF (%) Before 7.3 ± 0.19 6.41 ± 0.66 6.6 ± 0.43 0.41 During 6.8 ± 0.36 7.78 ± 0.25 8.26 ± 0.28 0.005 After 6.7 ± 0.15 6.80 ± 0.12 6.10 ± 0.23 0.034 P 0.274 0.023 < 0.001 Density (kg/m 3 ) Before 1025.51 ± 0.19 1025.58 ± 0.89 1023.67 ± 1.15 0.412 During 1023.74 ± 1.8 1022.62 ± 0.99 1021.26 ± 1.31 0.466 After 1027.64 ± 1.71 1027.10 ± 0.12 1026.54 ± 1.5 0.89 P 0.266 0.031 0.031 Proteins (%) Before 2.64 ± 0.04 2.73 ± 0.06 2.54 ± 0.06 0.134 During 2.75 ± 0.09 3.1 ± 0.13 3.21 ± 0.12 0.022 After 2.60 ± 0.11 2.6 ± 0.1 2.70 ± 0.07 0.887 P 0.442 0.005 < 0.001 Lactose (%) Before 3.69 ± 0.19 4.06 ± 0.24 3.78 ± 0.11 0.366 During 3.69 ± 0.26 3.62 ± 0.25 3.77 ± 0.2 0.911 After 3.53 ± 0.18 3.78 ± 0.17 3.79 ± 0.16 0.466 P 0.84 0.364 0.995 Water content (%) Before 10.06 ± 2.13 11.57 ± 1.93 14.16 ± 2.09 0.37 During 13.45 ± 1.18 15.40 ± 0.89 17.11 ± 1.32 0.097 After 17.24 ± 2.02 16.55 ± 2.48 18.45 ± 1.98 0.824 P 0.142 0.165 0.2178 pH Before 6.12 ± 0.1 6.27 ± 0.24 6.18 ± 0.13 0.824 During 6.38 ± 0.11 6.66 ± 0.06 6.52 ± 0.08 0.096 After 6.58 ± 0.16 6.57 ± 0.16 6.37 ± 0.06 0.372 P 0.574 0.174 0.056 Conductivity (mS/cm) Before 4.76 ± 0.17 4.65 ± 0.17 5.02 ± 0.27 0.461 During 4.56 ± 0.11 4.49 ± 0.13 4.53 ± 0.25 0.965 After 5.18 ± 0.26 4.84 ± 0.39 5.14 ± 0.39 0.759 P 0.164 0.251 0.336 Salts (%) Before 0.6 ± 0.02 0.6 ± 0.02 0.57 ± 0.02 0.213 During 0.57 ± 0.02 0.58 ± 0.13 0.57 ± 0.02 0.893 After 0.57 ± 0.01 0.56 ± 0.01 0.56 ± 0.01 0.8 P 0.189 0.15 0.956 Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 13 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 10 Oct, 2025 Reviews received at journal 07 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 02 Oct, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 Aug, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 27 Aug, 2025 First submitted to journal 27 Aug, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7469734","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":506369032,"identity":"0cf113db-13d0-400a-9619-b28371f78500","order_by":0,"name":"John Mary Atusasiibwe","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACxgYeZO4PG5BY4wHitTD2pIHF8GphYECxhe0wmMKrhbm999ijGzX3EhvEDj/7zMNz3m5t+2GgLTU20Tgd1nMu3TjnWHFig3Sa8Wwei9vJ284kArUcS8ttwKVlRo6ZdA5bAlBLgjEzD8/tZLMDQC2MDYcJaPkH0pL+mZmH7Vyy2fmHRGjJbQNpyQHawnbAzuwGIVt6zgC19CUYt0nnFDPO7UlOMLsBtCUBj18M23uADvuWINsvnb6Z4c0PO3uz8+kPH3yoscGtBSrh2AYkmIBxlAgWSMChHATkobQ92JU/oIxRMApGwSgYBcgAAPdfX/ycAWOCAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Mbarara University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"John","middleName":"Mary","lastName":"Atusasiibwe","suffix":""},{"id":506369033,"identity":"effd7bf0-94d3-4ea0-a5be-4a18882e3b6a","order_by":1,"name":"Eunice Apio Olet","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mbarara University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eunice","middleName":"Apio","lastName":"Olet","suffix":""},{"id":506369034,"identity":"5fa8aeb5-b33d-4353-a2c5-1cf7d6c171b9","order_by":2,"name":"Raphael Wangalwa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mbarara University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Raphael","middleName":"","lastName":"Wangalwa","suffix":""},{"id":506369035,"identity":"fc51acfd-2019-49db-9391-cfa2b4585965","order_by":3,"name":"Ronald Twongyirwe","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Mbarara University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ronald","middleName":"","lastName":"Twongyirwe","suffix":""},{"id":506369036,"identity":"34fde5aa-a5b7-4142-bb4d-40e213cb2e06","order_by":4,"name":"Mike Bithel","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Cambridge","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mike","middleName":"","lastName":"Bithel","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-27 08:53:29","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":90071372,"identity":"7bbd3e02-3c67-4c99-8cf3-27b3582f4c01","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-28 07:04:33","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":724725,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7469734/v1/bff2e608-674f-423d-9bd1-a656d3c6b710.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Randomised Complete Block Design on Biyinzika Dairy Meal Supplementation and Physicochemical Properties of Milk Quality in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor","fulltext":[{"header":"Background","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe dairy sector is a strategic component of Uganda\u0026rsquo;s economy, contributing to household nutrition, rural livelihoods, and national development priorities under Vision 2040 (Rugerri, 2024). Uganda\u0026rsquo;s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is the leading milk-producing region, accounting for nearly a quarter of national production. Despite this output, milk quality in the region remains below acceptable standards, undermining both local consumption and export potential (Priyashantha, 2025).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow milk quality in the SWCC is primarily attributed to reliance on natural pastures, which are nutritionally poor and highly seasonal (Timlin et al., 2021). Recent assessments confirm that these pastures are insufficient to meet the dietary needs of dairy cows, resulting in poor milk composition and reduced body condition scores (BCS) (Vikas et al., 2015). While feed supplementation is recognised as a key strategy for improving productivity and quality, adoption rates in Uganda remain low (Baltenweck et al., 2020). For example, less than 71% of farmers in the corridor use supplementary feeds, and those who do often rely on unformulated inputs such as maize bran or brewer\u0026rsquo;s mash, which vary in nutritional quality and lack standardised administration protocols (Tibezinda et al., 2016).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlobally, studies over the past few years highlight the importance of formulated feed concentrates in improving milk yield and quality. Evidence from Africa and Asia indicates that supplementation with balanced rations can increase milk protein, fat, and solid non-fat (SNF) content, while also enhancing animal health and resilience to climate stress (Tadesse et al., 2022, Oloo et al., 2023, Jalata et al., 2023). In Uganda, however, limited empirical data exist on the impact of locally formulated commercial feeds on both physicochemical and microbial quality parameters of milk.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) is a locally formulated concentrate designed to improve dairy productivity, but its influence on milk quality in Uganda has not been rigorously evaluated. With the country preparing to introduce a quality-based milk pricing system where higher payments are tied to improved fat and protein, understanding the effect of supplementation on milk quality is increasingly essential for farmer incomes and competitiveness (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023, Ariong et al., 2024).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe present study, therefore, investigated the effect of BDM supplementation on milk quality and cow body condition scores in the SWCC. By generating empirical evidence, this research addresses critical knowledge gaps on the role of formulated feeds in enhancing milk quality. It supports the development of farmer and policy interventions aimed at achieving sustainable improvements in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s dairy sector.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAim, Design, and Setting\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study aimed to determine the effect of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) supplementation on physicochemical parameters of milk quality and body condition scores (BCS) of dairy cows in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC). A randomised complete block design (RCBD) was employed, with blocks based on parity, breed, and lactation stage to account for herd heterogeneity. The study was conducted in four districts within the SWCC: Ntungamo, Mbarara, Kiruhura, and Isingiro selected for their high milk production and prior involvement in several dairy development projects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStudy Farms and Participants\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen farms were selected from a pool of 203 previously characterised farms. Selection criteria included: (i) a minimum of ten lactating cows, (ii) at least six cows having calved within the previous two months, (iii) cows of similar breed composition, (iv) comparable productivity levels. Cows with a parity of three or less were preferred, as parity is associated with milk physicochemical parameter composition changes. In total, 60 cows were enrolled across the farms.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInterventions and Comparisons\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimals were randomly allocated to three treatment groups:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eControl group: Cows fed on natural pastures only (no supplementation).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment 1: Cows supplemented with 2 kg/day of BDM (Biyinzika Poultry International Ltd., Uganda).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTreatment 2: cows supplemented with 4 kg/day of BDM.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe feeding trial lasted 30 days. Before treatment, cows were monitored for 7\u0026ndash;14 days to establish baseline BCS and milk quality. During and after supplementation, milk samples were collected at regular intervals for physicochemical parameter analysis. BCS were also measured repeatedly over the study period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSample Collection and Measurements\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk samples were collected under sterile conditions and analysed for fat, protein, solid non-fat (SNF), density, and other physicochemical properties using standard dairy analytical procedures.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStatistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData were entered and cleaned in Microsoft Excel and analysed using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov\u0026ndash;Smirnov test, and outliers were identified via boxplots. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare physicochemical parameter outcomes across treatment groups. For BCS, a general linear model (GLM) was fitted, with the amount of supplement as the predictor.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe model was specified as:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eŶijk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;β\u003csub\u003e0\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Xijk\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eŶijk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;body condition score,\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eβ0\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;intercept,\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eXijk\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;supplement treatment (0, 2 kg, or 4 kg per cow/day).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSignificance was determined at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePhysicochemical Properties of Milk\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was no significant difference (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) in most milk physicochemical parameters before, during, and after supplementation, except for fat, solid non-fat (SNF), density, and protein, which showed significant improvements among supplemented groups. For example, cows supplemented with 4 kg of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) recorded significantly higher SNF and protein values compared with controls (Table\u0026nbsp;2).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe study revealed that supplementation with Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) significantly improved milk fat, protein, SNF, and density, indicating significant dietary effects on milk quality (Tadesse et al., 2022). Cows receiving 4 kg of BDM recorded significantly higher values than controls, showing a strong association between formulated supplementation and enhanced nutrient content of milk (Jalata et al., 2023). These findings corroborate reports that balanced concentrate feeds substantially improve milk protein and fat fractions, which are economically valuable under quality-based dairy pricing systems (Oloo et al., 2023).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFat and protein levels are critical benchmarks in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s dairy markets, making these improvements particularly relevant for boosting farmer incomes within quality-based payment frameworks (Ariong et al., 2024). The absence of significant changes in lactose and pH suggests stability of these traits, which are less responsive to nutritional interventions than fat and protein (Walter et al., 2022). Therefore, BDM supplementation selectively enhances milk quality attributes most valued by processors, strengthening prospects for improved productivity, household nutrition, and economic resilience in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s dairy corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe association between supplementation and improved physico-chemical traits underscores the role of feed formulation in addressing nutritional deficiencies of natural pastures in sub-Saharan Africa (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). Uganda\u0026rsquo;s South-Western Cattle Corridor pastures remain nutritionally poor, and supplementation with BDM clearly countered these deficits by significantly improving milk protein and SNF contents (Kilima et al., 2024).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eComparable findings have been documented across East Africa, where feed supplementation with balanced concentrates enhanced milk yield, protein, and fat quality in smallholder dairy systems (Tadesse et al., 2022). Improved protein content increases milk processing value for cheese and yoghurt, while increased SNF raises density and overall nutritive value, benefiting both consumers and processors (Ariong et al., 2024). These findings emphasise supplementation\u0026rsquo;s dual role in improving household nutrition and increasing the competitiveness of milk in both domestic and potential export markets (Jalata et al., 2023). Consequently, integrating formulated feed supplementation into Uganda\u0026rsquo;s dairy strategies offers a pathway for overcoming pasture-based nutritional limitations and enhancing dairy production sustainably (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough supplementation improved milk quality, variation across treatment groups suggests breed, parity, and lactation stage differences influenced how cows responded to dietary interventions (Walter et al., 2022). This variability reflects the complexity of real-farm environments, where genetic diversity, feed access, and management practices collectively shape outcomes of supplementation strategies (Kilima et al., 2024). Similar inconsistencies have been documented in Tanzania and Kenya, where supplementation improved fat and protein, but effects varied across production systems and cow categories (Tadesse et al., 2022). High-yielding cows often exhibit different metabolic responses to supplementation compared with lower-yielding animals, influencing protein deposition and fat synthesis pathways (Berry et al., 2021). Such findings indicate that supplementation should be integrated with herd management strategies, including targeted breeding and health programs, to maximise benefits consistently (Oloo et al., 2023). Therefore, supplementation must be adopted as part of a holistic dairy improvement strategy rather than as an isolated intervention for boosting milk quality (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile improved milk composition is encouraging, farmer adoption depends on effective implementation of quality-based milk pricing systems rewarding higher protein and fat content (Ariong et al., 2024). If linked to premium payments, farmers could increasingly adopt supplementation practices like BDM, boosting incomes and supporting sector resilience against fluctuating market conditions (Jalata et al., 2023). However, without institutional mechanisms, farmers may lack sufficient incentives to invest in supplementation despite demonstrated nutritional and productivity benefits (Kilima et al., 2024). This underscores the need for policy alignment to ensure supplementation outcomes translate into tangible benefits through structured dairy value chain interventions (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023). Integrating feed supplementation into extension and farmer support programs could accelerate uptake and amplify the positive effects documented in controlled research environments (Tadesse et al., 2022). Ultimately, strengthening institutional frameworks alongside technical innovations will be critical for realising the full potential of supplementation in transforming Uganda\u0026rsquo;s dairy sector.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusions","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study found that supplementation with Biyinzika Dairy Meal significantly improved milk fat, protein, SNF, and density, and enhanced body condition scores. These results indicate that feed supplementation effectively addresses nutritional deficiencies of natural pastures but must be complemented by improved milk hygiene to ensure comprehensive quality improvements.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and processors, the findings highlight the practical value of integrating supplementation into dairy systems and support the theory on nutrition-driven quality-based pricing models. Future research should explore longer supplementation periods, larger sample sizes across multiple regions, and advanced microbial profiling methods to fully capture nutritional and safety impacts.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eANOVA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnalysis of Variance\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eBCS\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBody Condition Score\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eBDM\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBiyinzika Dairy Meal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eFAO\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, GLM\u0026ndash;General Linear Model\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eRCBD\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRandomized Complete Block Design\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSNF\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSolid Non\u0026ndash;Fat\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSPSS\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatistical Package for the Social Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eSWCC\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSouth\u0026ndash;Western Cattle Corridor.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003ch2\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study involved the collection of milk samples and body condition scoring of dairy cows.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthical approval was obtained from the Mbarara University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Committee (MUST-REC, Ref: MUREC 1/7).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFarm owners provided informed consent before participation, and all procedures adhered to the ethical standards for animal care and use in research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eConsent for publication\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable, as no person\u0026rsquo;s data (including images, videos, or personal details) is presented in this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study received direct funding from Cambridge African Albroda Trust.\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;[Partial support was received from the Netherland Development Organisation (SNV) through The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE), Mbarara University of Science and Technology who provided fieldwork logistical support and Biyinzika Poultry International limited that provided the dairy meal.]\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJMA conceptualised the study conducted data collection and did laboratory analyses. RW designed the methodology and conducted statistical analysis. EO, RT and MB oversaw and guided the study. JMA drafted the manuscript, and all authors reviewed and approved the final version.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors are indebted to Cambridge African Albroda Trust scholarship for funding this project, the Netherland Development Organisation (SNV) through The Inclusive Dairy Enterprise (TIDE) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology for logistical support plus Biyinzika Poultry International limited for providing the dairy meal. They gratefully acknowledge the participating farmers from Uganda\u0026rsquo;s South-Western Cattle Corridor, field assistants and laboratory staff who contributed to data collection and analyses.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthor details\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected] \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected]\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda email: [email protected]\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDepartment of Environment and Livelihood Support Systems, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda \u0026nbsp;email: [email protected]\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSchool of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Whiteknights House, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 217, Reading RG6 6AH, England email:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDepartment of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge CB2 3EN, England email: [email protected]\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":" \n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAriong, R. M., Chamberlin, J., Kariuki, S. W., et al. 2024. \u003cem\u003eQuality upgrading in dairy value chains: Mixed methods evidence from southwestern Uganda\u003c/em\u003e, Intl Food Policy Res Inst.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaltenweck, I., Cherney, D., Duncan, A., et al. 2020. A scoping review of feed interventions and livelihoods of small-scale livestock keepers. \u003cem\u003eNature plants,\u003c/em\u003e 6\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e 1242-1249.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2023. Livestock and enteric methane. FAO. . Retrieved August 26, 2025, from https://www.fao.org/in-action/enteric-methane/countries/east-africa/en.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJalata, B., Goshu, H. A., Mediksa, T., et al. 2023. Reproductive performance of Horro and Horro-crossbred dairy cows in Ethiopia\u0026rsquo;s subhumid tropical environments. \u003cem\u003eTropical Animal Health and Production,\u003c/em\u003e 55\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e 323.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKilima, F. T. M., Msalya, G. M. \u0026amp; Omore, A. 2024. Enhancing capacity to comply with sustainability standards in the milk value chain in East Africa: Challenges, prospects, and policy implications. \u003cem\u003eSustainability,\u003c/em\u003e 16\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e 8100.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOloo, R. D., Ojango, J. M., Ekine-Dzivenu, C. C., et al. 2023. 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The effect of body condition score at calving on milk yield, milk composition and udder health status of dairy animals. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Dairy, Veterinary \u0026amp; Animal Research,\u003c/em\u003e 2\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e 1-4.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalter, L. L., G\u0026auml;rtner, T., Gernand, E., et al. 2022. Effects of parity and stage of lactation on trend and variability of metabolic markers in dairy cows. \u003cem\u003eAnimals,\u003c/em\u003e 12\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e 1008.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"7\" class=\"btn-xs-small Annotation tooltipped\" data-position=\"top\" data-tooltip=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003ctable id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNumber of farms and cows selected per district\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDistrict\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNumber of farms for farm characterisation\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNumber of farms for feed experimentation\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNumber of cows under experimentation\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eIsingiro\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e61\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e18\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eKiruhura\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e41\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e12\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eMbarara\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e81\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e24\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNtungamo\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e20\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e06\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eTotal\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e203\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e10\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"char\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e60\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv id=\"8\" class=\"btn-xs-small Annotation tooltipped\" data-position=\"top\" data-tooltip=\"\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003ctable id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\n \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eSummary of statistical results for physical-chemical parameters of milk from various treatment groups.\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/caption\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eTreatments\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eParameter\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eSession\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eNo supplement\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2 Kg of BDM\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4 Kg of BDM\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003en\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.53\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.469\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eFats (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.71\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.04\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e5.28\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.52\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.234\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.85\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.37\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.743\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.57\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.078\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.032\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSNF (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e7.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.66\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.41\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.8\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.36\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e7.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e8.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.005\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.7\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.034\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.274\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.023\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eDensity\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e(kg/m\u003c/span\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1025.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1025.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.89\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1023.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.15\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.412\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1023.74\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.8\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1022.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1021.26\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.31\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.466\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1027.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.71\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1027.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e1026.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.5\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.89\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.266\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.031\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.031\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eProteins (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.134\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.1\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.21\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.12\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.022\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e2.70\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.887\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.442\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e0.005\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eLactose (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.19\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.366\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.69\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.77\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.2\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.911\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.78\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e3.79\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.466\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.84\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.364\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.995\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eWater content\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e(%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e10.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.13\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e11.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.93\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e14.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.09\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.37\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e13.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.18\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e15.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.89\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e17.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.32\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.097\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e17.24\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.02\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e16.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.48\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e18.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.98\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.824\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.142\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.165\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.2178\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003epH\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.1\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.24\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.824\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.096\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.58\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e6.37\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.372\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.574\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.174\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.056\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eConductivity\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e(mS/cm)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.65\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e5.02\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.27\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.461\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eDuring\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.13\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.965\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eAfter\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e5.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.26\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e4.84\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e5.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.39\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.759\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eP\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.164\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.251\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.336\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e\u003cspan type=\"Bold\" class=\"Bold\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eSalts (%)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003eBefore\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.6\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv class=\"SimplePara\"\u003e0.57\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/div\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd align=\"left\"\u003e\n \u003cdiv 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align=\"left\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"dairy-science-and-management","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Dairy Science and Management](https:/dairysciencemanagement.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"44363","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44363/3","title":"Dairy Science and Management","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Milk quality, Feed supplementation, Biyinzika Dairy Meal, Physicochemical properties, Body condition score, Uganda South-Western Cattle Corridor","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMilk produced in Uganda\u0026rsquo;s South-Western Cattle Corridor (SWCC) is often of low quality due to reliance on nutritionally poor natural pastures. Despite the potential benefits, feed supplementation remains uncommon in this region. This study aimed to assess the effect of Biyinzika Dairy Meal (BDM) supplementation on physicochemical parameters of milk quality and dairy cow body condition scores.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA total of 60 dairy cows were randomly assigned to three treatment groups in a randomised complete block design and fed varying amounts of BDM for 30 days. Physicochemical milk parameters and body condition scores (BCS) were measured before, during, and after supplementation. Baseline BCS did not differ significantly between groups, but supplemented cows showed significant improvement during and after the trial (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). Milk fat, solid non-fat content, density, and protein levels increased significantly with supplementation (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05), while lactose, salts, and pH showed no significant changes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusions\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed supplementation with BDM improved selected physicochemical properties of milk and enhanced body condition scores of dairy cows in the SWCC. These findings highlight the potential of formulated feed supplements to improve the quality of milk and support farmer livelihoods in regions dependent on natural pastures. Wider adoption of supplementation and exploration of local feed alternatives may further enhance physicochemical milk quality parameters and market value.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Randomised Complete Block Design on Biyinzika Dairy Meal Supplementation and Physicochemical Properties of Milk Quality in Uganda’s South-Western Cattle Corridor","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-28 06:56:28","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7469734/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-10-13T07:01:27+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-10T06:44:54+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-10-07T12:52:25+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"194864485195382440089989449886615188919","date":"2025-10-03T05:57:35+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"254738657063693389643048059471883012676","date":"2025-10-02T22:14:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"301455288490604318562571862583197931354","date":"2025-09-27T17:11:42+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-09-27T16:35:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-08-27T12:20:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-08-27T12:19:49+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Dairy Science and Management","date":"2025-08-27T08:50:03+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"dairy-science-and-management","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Dairy Science and Management](https:/dairysciencemanagement.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"44363","submissionUrl":"https://submission.springernature.com/new-submission/44363/3","title":"Dairy Science and Management","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"c30f966f-0dc4-42b0-93bc-97469d208aaf","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 28th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-27T13:33:48+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-28 06:56:28","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7469734","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7469734","identity":"rs-7469734","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}
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