January 2014 Vol. 2 No. 1

Full Length Research Paper

Intervention of traditional feeding systems of small scale rural farmers rearing crossbred dairy cattle and its impact on production–An Indian perspective

B. Devasena¹* and S. Suneetha²

¹Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, SVVU, Tirupati, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India
²Veterinary Assistant Surgeon, Vadamalapeta, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: devasenabusineni@yahoo.com; Tel: 91-0877 2248068 (O); Fax: 91- 0877 2249563

Accepted January 31, 2014

Abstract

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.