Efficacy of Urea Molasses Minerals Block on Milk Production and Reproductive Performance of Zebu Cattle under Field Condition

Abstract

An on farm trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of UMMB on performance of zebu cattle and feed economics under semi arid conditions, during the year 2016–17. Twenty lactating cows in mid lactation with similar age, body weight and breed were selected from dairy farms of the local farmers and divided into two equal groups of ten animals in each group i.e. T1 (control) and T2 (UMMB supplementation). The feeding of animals in control group (T1) consisted of 7 kg dry maize stover with some quantity of local dry grasses and 10 kg green fodder i.e. Lucerne with concentrate mixture @40 per cent of milk yield/day. In the treatment group (T2) in addition to the above, a regular supply of urea molasses minerals block as a lick was offered during the whole period of study, without interruption. The average milk yield was recorded 4.70± 0.20 and 6.00± 0.21l/day in control and UMMB groups, respectively. The significant increase in the milk yield by 27.65 per cent in experiment group suggested that the supplementation of UMMB improved the milk yield. Reduction in cost of milk production/l was recorded 12.12 per cent in zebu cows supplemented with UMMB. The postpartum estrus period and service period reduced in experimental group than the control group. It can be concluded that the feeding of UMMB improved the feed efficiency, milk production and reproductive performance of zebu cattle under semi-arid ecosystem.