Abstract
The present research was designed to evaluate the effects of pre and post-partum energy level and feeding pattern on the performance of crossbred dairy cows and their calves under farm conditions. A total of 16 crossbred dairy cows were divided into two equal groups on the basis of their body weight and milk production. One group was given 30% less and the another was given 30% more energy than MAFF's (1984) recommendation. After calving all cows were given same ad.libitum diet to assess the effects of feeding during pregnancy on their performance. It was observed that just before calving cows on low energy group gained less (p<0.05) weight than that of the cows on high energy group (12.9±11.71 vs. 42.25±12.74 kg/cow. Birth weight of calves of low energy group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the calves of high energy group (17.87±1.78 vs. 20.73±2.24 kg/calf). Cows that were on low pre-calving dietary energy level produced less milk during lactation than the cows of high energy pre-calving group (3.45±0.75 vs. 4.27±0.79 lit./cow). No significant difference was noticed on calf growth rate and reproductive parameters of cow. Energy level that was 30 % less than MAFF's (1984) recommendation was found to be very low and not suitable for our crossbred cows during their last three months of pregnancy. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2004. Vol 17, No. 7 : 947-953)
Highlights
Crossbred dairy cows during pregnancy and in subsequent lactation if they are given same diet during the
Sixteen crossbred dairy cows during their last threeis severely underfed during the last three months of month of pregnancy were selected from Bangladesh pregnancy, it might affect the young causing death in utero Agricultural University Dairy Farm
Oven drying method was used for determining Total Solids content of milk and specific gravity was determined by using Quevenne lactometer and cylinder as per described by Eckles et al
Summary
Crossbred dairy cows during pregnancy and in subsequent lactation if they are given same diet during the. Pregnancy of cow, post-parteum milk production and birth weight of calves are of considerable practical importance in MATERIALS AND METHODS. The young’s are still not free from the effects of Average body weight and body condition score of the first nutrition of dam during pregnancy, since the latter’s milk group was 257.66±17.37 kg and 2.46±0.19 and of the yield may be affected. The cows of first group were given 30% less other hand, high levels of nutrition during pregnancy may energy and the cows of second group were given 30% more reduce calf birth weight and appetite of the cow after energy (than the recommended level of MAFF, 1984)
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