Feeding tropical dairy cattle with local protein and energy sources for sustainable production

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high protein feed (Hipro-feed) formulated with carbohydrate source in concentrate mixture on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk performance of lactating cows fed Ruzi grass. Sixty cross-bred dairy cows (75% Holstein-Friesian and 25% Thai cows) in mid-lactation, 390 ± 50.0 kg body weight, 85 ± 5 days in milk with daily milk production of 10 ± 2.0 kg/day, were selected from 15 smallholder dairy farms and assigned according to a randomized complete block design. Four cows per farm were subjected to two groups to receive dietary treatments: Formulation I = control formula used by farmers and Formulation II = Mixed carbohydrate source + Hipro-feed (48% crude protein). The results showed that cows that received Formulation II had higher total feed intake and nutrient digestibility (P < .05). However, ammonia nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids, and propionic acid were increased in cows that consumed Formulation II, while acetic acid and butyric acid, ruminal pH, temperature, and blood urea nitrogen were similar between groups. Milk yield and economic return were increased in cows receiving Formulation II. In conclusion, Hipro-feed could usefully be incorporated with carbohydrate source in concentrate formulation for the improvement of diary performance of smallholder dairy farming in the northeastern region of Thailand. ARTICLE HISTORY

Nutrient Yield of Brown Hemp and Its Utilization as Protein Source in Concentrate on Brahman×Thai-Native Cattle Performances

“…The levels of rumen pH for all treatments in the group were between 6.09 -6.32, which is similar to the normal range of levels for animals, i.e., 5.5-7.0 (Dehority, 2003). Furthermore, the levels of NH3-N concentration in the rumen is a key source for the growth of bacteria that exploits the fibers (Hungate, 1966) and these were between 12.66 -14.24 mg/dl, which was in the range of the optimal level (15-30 mg/dl) to improve rumen ecology, digestibility and feed intake as reported Wanapat et al (2018) who studied lactating dairy cows. The results of this study suggest that the combination of an appropriate amount of BHM can be utilized as a protein source in concentrate that uses cassava pulp and cassava chip as a carbohydrate source in the formula and this may improve fermentation in the rumen by providing the proper pH for microbial activity, as described by Hungate (1966).…”

“…This could be a potential use of nitrogen for microbial protein synthesis which is often the foremost component of metabolizable protein supply in animal ruminants (Moorby et al, 2006). Moreover, the nutrient digestibility of CP was greater than that of Wanapat et al (2018), which suggests that the more the feeding sources of protein are degraded, the higher the increase in NH3-N concentration in the rumen.…”

Effects of Season Variation on Water, Feed, Milk Yield and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Smallholder Farms in Eastern Africa

“…Throughout Eastern Africa, forage feed resources available in SDFs for feeding dairy cattle consists of (1) dry roughage (straw, stover, sugar cane tops/bagasse and haulms from legume crops); (2) home grown fodder and green grass (non-cultivated indigenous grass, crop field weeds, road & embankment side grass, waterhyacinth, cultivated fodders, legumes, nonlegume and perennial grasses from fallow lands and forests); (3) vegetables and fruit by-products (Jack fruit, pineapple, banana, mango, cabbage and other kitchen waste); (4) shrubs and fodder tree leaves; and (4) cereal grain and by-products (maize, wheat, rice, oats, barley). Among concentrate feed supplements, the commonly available feed resources are agro-industrial by products (rice bran, wheat bran, oil cakes, and molasses), marine and animal by products (fishmeal, shrimp waste, blood meal and bone meal) and homemade/commercial dairy ration [35,36].…”

Profil Kualitas Susu di Peternakan Sapi Perah Rakyat Kota Batu dengan Pemberian Jenis Pakan yang Berbeda

“…Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk menganalisis pengaruh kualitas pakan terhadap profil kualitas susu pada peternakan sapi perah rakyat. Perhitungan dan analisis yang tepat mengenai pakan sangat mempengaruhi berlangsungnya usaha peternakan rakyat, karena 70% biaya yang dikeluarkan untuk suatu usaha peternakan sapi perah merupakan biaya untuk pembelian pakan (Wanapat et al, 2018).…”