Archives

Indian Journal of Pure & Applied Biosciences (IJPAB)
Year : 2020, Volume : 8, Issue : 2
First page : (86) Last page : (94)
Article doi: : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8013

Effect of Paddy Straw plus Non-Forage Fibre Sources Based Complete Feeds Containing Different Levels of Neutral Detergent Fibre on Body Weight and Reproductive Parameters of Lactating Dairy Cows

Biju Chacko^1* , K. M. Syam Mohan², K. Ally³ and K.  Shyama^4
1Assistant Professor and Head (I/c), Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, P.O. Lakkidi, PIN- 673576. Wayanad District. Kerala State
²Professor and Head, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme,
³Professor and Head, Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,
Mannuthy, P.O. Mannuthy, PIN- 680651. Thrissur District. Kerala State
⁴Professor and Head, Cattle Breeding Farm Thumboormuzhy,
P.O. Konnakkuzhy, PIN- 680721. Thrissur District. Kerala State
*Corresponding Author E-mail: bijuchacko@kvasu.ac.in
Received: 26.02.2020  |  Revised: 29.03.2020   |  Accepted: 6.04.2020 

 ABSTRACT

A study of six months duration was conducted to assess the body weight and reproductive parameters of lactating dairy cows fed on paddy straw plus non-forage fibre sources based complete rations containing different levels of NDF, in two phases, viz., early and mid lactation. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete rations, T1, T2 and T3 with 25, 30 and 35 per cent NDF, respectively were formulated as per ICAR-NIANP (2013). Paddy straw was the sole source of roughage NDF, with the rest of NDF being met from non-forage sources, in all the three rations. Eighteen dairy cows yielding approximately 10 kg of milk per day were divided into three groups of six each, and allotted to the three experimental rations. During the first four fortnights of phase I, the cows fed on ration T3 had a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight than those fed on T1 and T2, while T1 and T2 were similar (P>0.05). From the fifth fortnight onwards till the end of the experiment, the body weight of animals fed on all three rations, were similar (P>0.05), even though it tended to be higher with in cows fed on ration T3, than those fed on T1 and T2.  Average period for the first postpartum heat of cows fed on the three rations were similar (P>0.05), even though it was earlier in case of cows fed on the experimental ration T3 than those fed on T1 and T2.
            A thorough evaluation of the results obtained in the present study, reveal that the animals in all the three dietary treatments performed well, with the complete rations T3 with 35 per cent NDF, showing better performance than and T2 with 30 per cent NDF and T1 with 25 per cent NDF. The cows fed on ration T3 were able to manage negative energy balance better, started gaining weight from the first fortnight onwards and came into heat earlier than the animals fed on rations T1 and T2, indicating that T3 was the best ration. These results suggest that complete rations with 25 to 35 per cent NDF, containing paddy straw as the sole source of roughage NDF, with the rest of NDF being met from non-forage sources, can be recommended for use among early and mid lactation dairy cows, with 35 per cent being the ideal NDF level. 

Keywords: Complete feeds, NDF, Paddy straw, Non forage fibre sources, Body weight, Reproductive parameters, Cows  

Full Text : PDF; Journal doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.18782

Cite this article: Chacko, B., Syam Mohan, K.M., Ally, K., & Shyama, K. (2020). Effect of Paddy Straw plus Non-Forage Fibre Sources Based Complete Feeds Containing Different Levels of Neutral Detergent Fibre on Body Weight and Reproductive Parameters of Lactating Dairy Cows, Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. 8(2), 86-94. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8013