Effect of Protein Replacement of Concentrate Mixture by Green Berseem on Milk Production and Nutrient Utilization in Crossbred Cows
Abstract
Twelve crossbred lactating cows at their late stage of lactation, equally distributed in three groups, were offered ad libitum sorghum silage as basal roughage. Control group (T1) was fed concentrate mixture as per requirement, whereas groups T2 and T3 were provided 25 and 50% of required CP through berseem, respectively, in a feeding trial of two months and a digestion trial was conducted in between. Intake of nutrients (DCP and TDN), milk yield and milk composition were almost similar among groups. Digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CF, NDF and ADF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups T2 and T3 than in T1. This indicated that 50% CP of concentrate mixture could be replaced by green berseem without affecting milk yield and nutrient utilization in cows.
