Use of urea–molasses–multinutrient block and urea-treated rice straw for improving dairy cattle productivity in Vietnam

Abstract

After conducting a preliminary survey, a feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of urea–molasses–multinutrient block (UMMB) and urea-treated rice straw (UTRS) as a feed supplement on the productivity of dairy cows. Sixty Holstein–Friesian crossbred cows on 11 smallholder farms were divided equally into control, UMMB and UTRS supplementation groups. Milk yield and feed intake were recorded daily. Milk fat content, body weight and body condition score (BSC) of each cow were determined at two week intervals. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were collected once a week commencing one month after parturition. Data were recorded for date of onset of ovarian activity, estrus, insemination, and conception rate. Milk production increased by 10.3–11.9% and milk fat content increased by 3–5%, therefore, profit for farmers increased by US $0.55–0.73 per cow per day (exchange rate US $1=VN $11 000). The intervals from calving to onset of ovarian activity (91–94 days), to estrus (110–114 days), to conception (121–122 days) and the calving interval (13.4–13.6 months) in the trial groups were significantly shorter than those in the control group (112, 135, 152 days and 14.4 months, respectively).