Department of Animal Nutrition, Bombay Veterinary College, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012, India.
Twelve crossbred (HF x Gir) lactating cows, divided in to the two groups of six each, with same stage of lactation and average daily milk production. Group-I (control) received basal ration comprising green and dry fodder and concentrate mixture (60% TDN). Group - 11 (Experimental) received concentrate mixture containing 5% higher energy (TDN) than control. Both the groups received same roughages comprising of green (maize) and dry fodder. Average daily DM intake in groups 1 and II was 12.09 and 12.15 kg, respectively and the variation between the groups was non significant. Supplementation of extra 5% energy in the form of TDN for period of 13 weeks in group lI resulted in significantly (P< 0.01) higher milk production and its fat content in group II. The average daily FCM yield from experimental group was significantly (P< 0.01) higher than control group. The feed efficiency in terms of DM intake per kg fat corrected milk was significantly lower in group II than control group, however TDN and DCP required per kg FCM revealed non significant differences between the groups. The digestibility of all the nutrients studied was higher in treatment feed than control feed. The cows receiving higher level of energy in the ration produced milk more economically, resulting in higher profits than control. It may be concluded that for improving performance and increasing returns from early lactating crossbred cows, the energy content of routinely used concentrate mixture (containing 60% TDN) can be increased by 5%.
High energy diet, fat corrected milk, Milk production, crossbred cow
