Effect of Different Feeding Methods on Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Punganur Cows

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted during January–August, 2021 at Livestock Research Station, Palamaner, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India to study the effect of different feeding methods on production performance in lactating Punganur cows. A lactation study of 90 days duration was conducted on 16 lactating Punganur cows which were distributed (CRD) into four treatment groups comprising of 4 animals each. Animals of Control group were maintained as per the feeding practice followed by the farmers rearing Punganur cows in Chittoor district (Hedge lucerne, Paddy straw and Concentrate mixture), T2 group fed with Super Napier grass Paddy straw and Concentrate mixture, T3 group fed with Paddy straw, concentrate mixture and UMMB and T4 group fed with TMR. The average FCM yield (kg d-1) was highest (p<0.05) in T4 followed by T3 or T2 and lowest in T1. The Protein and lactose content (%) of milk was highest (p<0.05) in T4 and lowest in T3, while Fat and SNF (%) remained unaltered. The efficiency of milk production (kg/kg FCM) of DMI and TDNI lowest (p<0.05) in T4, While CPI and DCPI lower (p<0.05) in T4 or T3 as compared to T2 or T1. The cost economics of milk production indicated that the feed cost (`) per kg FCM yield was lowest (p<0.05) in T3. The study concluded that the feed conversion efficiency in terms of DM, CP and Gross energy was highest for TMR group, while cost economics of milk production was better in Paddy straw, concentrate mixture, UMMB and TMR group.