Energy Requirements of Lactating Crossbred cows

Sixteen lactating cows (10 yrs; 348 kg) of three breed crosses (Holstein x Jersey x Gir) with 75 % exotic blood, in their mid stage of lactation were fed a ration based on para grass (Brachiaria mutica), wheat ttraw and concentrate eor 30d. It was sbserved that 40% TDN and 44% ME were utilized for maintenance, 46% TDN and 42% ME were diverted for milk production and 14% TDN and 14% ME were diverted for body weight gain. Partitioning of TDN and M E for maintenance, milk production and body gains showed that the lactating cows required 32g TDN and 129 kcal ME per kg metabolic body size (W^0.75kg) for maintenance. Cows needed 425g TDN and 1867 kcal ME per kg ECM and 1.96 kg TDN and 6.78 Meal ME per kg body weight gain.