Nutrient utilization, milk yield and economics of production in crossbred cows fed berseem hay meal supplemented diet Das M. M.*, Singh Sultan, Singh K. K., Sharma P., Chand Khem Plant Animal Relationship Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003, India *Correspondence: mmdas1964@gmail.com
Online published on 22 August, 2023. Abstract The replacement effect of mustard cake protein with berseem hay meal protein in concentrate mixture was studied for nutrient utilization, milk yield and economics of production in crossbred cows. In control group (G1), the animals were fed control concentrate mixture with wheat straw ad libitum whereas in treated group (G2), 60% N of mustard cake was replaced with berseem hay meal (BHM) in the concentrate mixtures along with wheat straw ad libitum for a period of two and half months. Both the groups were provided iso-energetic and iso- nitrogeneous diets. The intake of dry matter either as percentage of body weight or per kg metabolic body size was comparable between the groups. Similarly, the digestibility of nutrients viz.DM, OM, NDF and ADF were similar in both the groups. Milk yield (7.02 Vs 7.21 kg/d) and composition of milk of animals fed with or without supplementation of BHM was also non-significantly different indicating that legumes did not change the composition of milk. Feed conversion efficiency for milk production and N utilization efficiency was also similar between the groups. Average daily feeding cost and cost of milk production(Rs/kg 4%FCM) reduced (P<0.05) by 13.89 and 17.53%, respectively in cows fed experimental diet, hence net daily income was increased (P<0.05) by Rs. 26.71 per cow. It was concluded that mustard cake can safely be replaced by berseem hay meal (BHM) in iso-caloric and isonitrogeneous diet in formulating least cost ration for economic milk production in small holders’ dairy production without any adverse impact on crossbred cows. Top Keywords Berseem hay meal, Crossbred cows, Economics of milk production, Milk yield, Mustard cake, Nutrient utilization. Top |