Merit Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Soil Science

001-006

Authors: B. Devasena and S. Suneetha

A field experiment was conducted to study effect of different levels of RDP:UDP containing concentrate supplementation on production performance of crossbred dairy cattle under field conditions. Eighteen crossbred dairy cattle (JBX) were divided into three groups (RBD), T1 (60: 40) and T2 groups (55: 45). The animals in T1 and T2 groups were supplemented concentrate with different levels of degradable protein for 90 days, while in control (c) group feeding system traditionally adopted by the farmers was considered without any intervention. The impact of altered feeding on milk production, composition and efficiency of production of crossbred milch cows was studied. The intake of DM, CP, DCP and TDN were more (P< 0.05) in treatment groups (T1 and T2) as compared to the control group. There was increased (P< 0.05) FCM yield in T1 and T2 groups to the tune of 27.3% and 31.2% respectively. The fat (30.5 and 32.8%), SNF (21.3 and 30.5%), total solids (24.2 and 31.3%) and milk protein (40.8 and 42.7%) yield was more (P< 0.05) in T1 and T2 groups as compared to control during the period of 90 days, due to increased level of UDP in the rations. It can be concluded that altering the feeding systems traditionally adopted by the farmers in a scientific way improved milk production. Keywords: Feeding system, RDP, UDP rural farmers, cattle, crossbred.