Effect of Feeding Sprouted Jowar Grains on the Yield and Quality of Milk of Crossbred Cows

Feeding to crossbred cows was carried out for the period of 84 days for that a batch of six crossbred cows were selected on the basis of yield and divided into three groups. These cows were fed as only concentrate mixture (T₁), 70 per cent concentrate mixture + 30 per cent fresh sprouted Jowar grains (T₂) and 70 per cent concentrate Mixture + 30 per cent crushed Jowar grains (T₃) in switch over manner. The observations were recorded on daily milk yield on individual cow. Jowar grains are analyzed before and after sprouting to observe the chemical changes after sprouting. Similarly milk was analyzed weekly during the experimental period for per cent fat, per cent SNF and per cent TS content. The total milk production aswell as daily milk production per animal was not significantly different in treatment T₂ and T₃ as compared to control T₁. Also chemical analysis of sprouted and unsprouted Jowar grains revealed that the protein, fat, crude fibre and ash due to sprouting were not improved in real sense. The protein content of grains was reduced by 6.64 per cent in fresh sprouted (T₂) over unsprouted (T₃). As regards the quality of milk an average fat and TS were increased by feeding sprouted Jowar grains (T₂). Effect on SNF was not significant but it can be compensated by significant increase in per cent fat. The cost structure per kg of milk production was more or less similar in all the three treatments but it can be compensated by significant increase in fat %. Hence, feeding of 70 per cent concentrate mixture + 30 per cent fresh sprouted Jowar grains (T₂) to crossbred cows is not beneficial to improve quantity but beneficial to improve quality of milk in terms of per cent fat and total solids of milk of crossbred cows.