Effect of feeding locally made concentrate mixture on milk production in crossbred cows in some districts of West Bengal

Six lactating crossbred (Jersey x Tharparkar) cows (average BW 319±20 kg) in their late lactation were either fed on an experimental concentrate mixture made of local feeds or a commercial concentrate mixture (control) for 24 days. The respective concentrate mixtures along with green hybrid napier (10 kg/day) and ad libitum paddy straw were fed to each cow in both the groups to meet nutrients requirements. Average DMI (% BW) was 3.40±0.24 and 3.26±0.18 kg in the experimental and control groups, respectively and the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Average DMI/kg milk production was 2.15±0.15 and 1.94±0.14 kg in the respective groups which differed significantly (P<0.05). Average daily milk production of the cows was 5.07±0.43 and 5.37±0.40 kg in the respective groups which varied significantly (P>0.05). Average daily feed cost was Rs. 27.14±1.24 and 32.41±1.17 and feed cost per kg milk production was Rs. 5.45±0.23 and 6.11±0.23 in the experimental and control groups, respectively showing significant (P<0.01) difference in the economics of milk production. The study implied that feeding of the experiment concentrate mixture made out of locally available feed ingredient is more economical.