Abstract
ABSTRACTThe 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.
Highlights
Feed quantity and quality are the major factors contributing to efficient and profitable dairy farming, especially on smallholder farms
All cows were categorized into two groups to receive dietary treatments as follows: Formulation I = control formula used by farmers; Formulation II = formula mixed with carbohydrate source and Hipro-feed (48% crude protein (CP))
Concentrate and total feed intake were increased in cows that consumed Formulation II, while the intake of Ruzi grass was similar between groups (P < .05)
Summary
Feed quantity and quality are the major factors contributing to efficient and profitable dairy farming, especially on smallholder farms. Due to the low quality of roughage feedstuffs in this area, supplementation with a concentrate diet containing a high density of energy and nitrogen would be potentially useful and could be mixed on farm (Wanapat 1999). Modern feeding strategies have changed from primarily foragebased to progressively more readily fermentable carbohydrate feedstuffs in dairy rations to meet the increasing milk production of high-producing animals. These practices favour the use of silages, low-fibre diets, and high concentrate levels (Marden et al 2007; Wanapat et al 2014). It is well known that increasing concentrate supplies increase milk yield (Morand-Fehr et al 2007)
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