Evaluating the effect of paddy straw plus non-forage fibre sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) levels on occurrence of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in lactating dairy cows Chacko Biju1,*, Mohan K.M. Syam2, Ally K.3, Shyama K.4 Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU)Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680651 (Kerala) 1Present addresses of authors, Assistant Professor and Head (I/c), Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, P.O. Lakkidi, Wayanad District. 2Professor and Head, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme (ULF and FRDS) 3Professor and Head, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme (ULF and FRDS) 4Professor, University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research and Development Scheme (ULF and FRDS) *Corresponding author. e-mail: bijuchacko@kvasu.ac.in
Online Published on 20 April, 2022. Abstract The study was undertaken for 180 days to assess the effect of feeding paddy straw plus non-forage fibre sources based complete rations with different levels of neutral detergent fibre on incidence of occurrence of Sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in lactating dairy cows, in two phases, viz. early (0–90 days) and mid lactation (91–180 days). Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric complete rations, Tv T2 and T3 with 25, 30 and 35 percent NDF, respectively were formulated. Eighteen dairy cows, yielding approximately 10 kg of milk per day and divided into three groups of six each, were fed on the respective experimental rations, for the entire experimental period. The animals were observed daily for signs of SARA. There was no incidence of SARA in any of the cows in three dietary treatments. A thorough evaluation of the results revealed that complete rations with 25–35 percent NDF, containing paddy straw as the sole source of roughage NDF, with the rest of NDF being met from non-forage sources, can safely be recommended for early and mid lactation dairy cows, without the risk of SARA, with 35 percent being the ideal NDF level. Top Keywords Cow, Non-forage fibre source, NDF, Paddy straw, SARA. Top |