Milk yield and composition of dairy Zaraibi goats fed microbial inoculated corn silage.

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted on Twenty-two dairy Zaraibi nanny goats to assess the effect of feeding either un-inoculated corn silage (UCS), or microbial inoculated corn silage (BICS) on quantity of feed consumption, live body weight, milk production, milk composition and some blood parameters. Zaraibi nanny goats were allocated in two treatment groups (n=11). The does were received diets from pre-mating up to end of lactation period. Nannies were similar in breeding season and production performance. The concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and wheat straw (WS) were fed as basal diet to the two experimental groups. The first group (G1) was fed basal diets + un-inoculated corn silage while, the second group (G2) nourished basal diets + microbial inoculated corn silage. The amounts of diets were adjusted according to NRC (2007) allowances. Both G1 and G2 were housed in separated pens under similar environmental condition. The salt blocks and fresh water were freely given throughout the experimental period. The results indicated that the average feed consumption of silage and total dry matter were increased for does fed BICS (G2) compared to those fed UCS (G1), while consumption of CFM and WS were not affected. There are no significant differences in live body weight changes between the experimental groups during different periods (from mating to post weaning). Yield of suckling and lactation milk was significantly (P<0.05) higher for G2 than G1.Milk contents of protein and lactose during suckling and lactation periods were significantly (P<0.05) higher in G2. G2 also during suckling and lactation periods had significantly (P<0.05) higher hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, albumin and urea nitrogen than G1,. Serum globulin recoded booster level in G2 than G1 during suckling period (P<0.05). It is concluded that feeding microbial inoculated corn silage increased milk production, milk contents of protein and lactose and increased hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin.