Title: Effect of Concentrate Supplementation on Intake, Digestion and Milk Production in Crossbred Cows Grazing on Native Pasture of Tripura
Abstract: Four lactating crossbred (Jersey & Local) cows were randomly distributed into4 groups in an experiment based on latin square design comprising of 4 periods of 5 weeks each in which 2 weeks were adaptation period. Group J (Control) were stall fed on paddy straw, thin napier grass and concentrate as per their requirements. Other groups were on grazing for 6 h/d besides providing paddy straw and concentrate supplementation at the rate of 1, 2 and 3 kg in group II (T1), III (T2) and IV (T3), respectively. Straw intake was 3.10, 2.99, 3.04 and 2.35 kg/d; forage/pasture intake was 0.95, 5.01, 4.04 and 3.15 kg/d and total DMI was 8.05, 9.00, 9.08 and 8.50 kg/d in control, T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Both straw and pasture consumption were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in group T3. Total DMI was higher (P<0.01) in groups T1 and T2 than in control and T3. Grazing tame was 263 min., in groups T1, which was reduced with increased level of concentrate, however, bite size and bitting rates remained similar among the groups. OM digestibility was 66.76, 68.09, 71.86 and 66.26 percent In control, T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively and the variation among groups was significant (P<0.01). Daily milk yield was 5.85, 5.05, 7.08 and 6.50 kg in control, T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively and the difference was significant (P<0.01). This indicated that 2 kg concentrate supplementation could be optimum for cows producing 7 kg milk/d grazing on native pasture of Tripura.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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