Effect of Feeding Complete Rations on the Performance of Lactating Crossbred Cows

A 90 day lactation trial was conducted on 18 crossbred milch cows (b. wt., 407.78 kg), divided into three groups (8.S ± 0.91 milk yield and 7–10 days in lactation) and offered feed either by conventional feeding system (wheat straw and concentrate mixture, separately; T_j), in the form of total mixed ration (TMR/Sani, T₂) or in the form of pelleted ration (T₃). DM intake, CP intake (P<O.OS) and gross energy intake (P<O.OI) were higher in cows fed pelleted feed than either conventional ration or TMR. The digestibility of DM, CP and GE of pelleted ration was higher (P<O.OS) than that of TMR and similarly the digestibility in TMR group was higher (P<O.OS) than that of conventional ration. There was no effect of dietary treatments on fat corrected milk (FCM) yield. Thus, itmay be concluded that pelleting is a practical method of densification for improving nutrients intake and their utilization and milk production in dairy cows.