Abstract
Objective of the present study was to assess the energy balance of tropical (Sahiwal x Jersey) and temperate (Friesian x Jersey) crossbred dairy cows in Sri Lanka using serum metabolic profile. The study consisted of tropical and temperate crossbred dairy cows which were at post-partum transition stage, and were from two medium-scale farms in low country dry zone, and mid country intermediate zone, respectively. Each cow was bled (0800 hours) on the day of data collection and serum metabolic profile was assessed. Milk production, body weight and body condition score (BCS) of cows were recorded whereas, dry matter, crude protein and metabolizable energy contents of the mixed rations fed to cows in both farms were analysed. Results revealed that, serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), urea and calcium contents were significantly (P
Highlights
Fifty-six percent of Sri Lankan cattle population is found in the dry-zone
Fifteen tropical crossbred (Sahiwal x Jersey) dairy cows managed in a low country dry zone (LCDZ) farm (Haifah farm, Walikanda, 7°53'N and 81°09'E) and 15 temperate crossbred (Friesian x Jersey) dairy cows managed in a mid country intermediate zone (MCIZ) farm (Sri Lak farm, Nawalapitiya, 7°04'N and 80°56'E) were selected for the study
Serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), albumin, urea, calcium and phosphorous contents of tropical crossbred dairy cows were found to be within the respective reference ranges
Summary
Fifty-six percent of Sri Lankan cattle population is found in the dry-zone. They are either tropical crossbred or non-descriptive cattle. Large proportion (75%) of the genetically improved cattle (i.e. pure temperate or their crosses) is managed in the mid country and up country farms. Despite great genetic potential for milk production, productivity of crossbred cows currently lies below 10 L/cow/day in both dry zone and mid country areas (Subasinghe and Abeygunawardena, 2011). Assessment of nutritional status of dairy cows is of utmost importance in dairy cattle husbandry. Investigation of serum metabolic profile is a novel technique used to assess nutritional status of dairy cows in developed countries (Shapiro and Lusis, 2015). A precise nutritional assessment in dairy cows could be made by combining blood metabolic profile and body condition score (BCS) and nutritive value of feed (Kida, 2003)
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