Effect of supplementing spent mushroom paddy straw on milk production and milk composition in cattle

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementing spent mushroom (Pleuroyuso streatus) paddy straw (SMPS) on milk production and its composition in lactating cattle. Eighteen healthy lactating crossbred cows of similar production were randomly divided into three homogenous groups i.e. T₀, T₁ and T₂ with six animals in each group. T₀ was control group in which, animals were fed balanced ration. In groups T₁ and T₂ balanced ration comprising of concentrate feed, green fodder and 50 and 100 percent of paddy straw was replaced by SMPS, respectively. No significant difference was observed in terms of average milk production, fat corrected milk, feed intake and feed conversion ratio among groups. The overall average milk fat, milk protein and total solid differed significantly among groups. Significantly (P<0.05) higher milk fat (%) was observed in groups T₀ (4.51±0.07) and T₁ (4.48±0.04) and lowest was observed in group T₂ (4.33±0.08). Significantly (P<0.05) higher milk protein (%) was observed in groups T₁ (3.63±0.05) and T₀ (3.57±0.06) and lowest was observed in group T₂ (3.54±0.06). Significantly (P<0.05) higher milk total solid (%) was observed in groups T₁ (13.85±0.22) and T₀ (13.80±0.13) compared to group T₂ (13.55±0.19). The average milk lactose, milk ash, solid not fat and milk urea nitrogen did not differ significantly among groups. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that SMPS could be used for feeding dairy cattle replacing paddy straw up to 50 % without any adverse effect on milk production and its composition.