- Free Articles
- Science Articles
- Productive and reproductive performance of lactating cows and buffaloes fed total mixed rations (TMR)
Productive and reproductive performance of lactating cows and buffaloes fed total mixed rations (TMR)
- By hamed gaafar
- Published 11/1/2010
- Science Articles
- Unrated
Productive and reproductive performance of lactating cows and buffaloes fed total mixed rations (TMR)
H M A Gaafar, A M A Mohi El-Din, M I Basiuoni*
Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural
*Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture,
Abstract
Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of feeding total mixed ration (TMR) on productive and reproductive performance of lactating cows and buffaloes. In experiment 1 (winter feeding): 21 Friesian cows and 21 buffaloes fed rations consisted on DM basis of 40% concentrate feed mixture, 40% fresh berseem and 20% rice straw (control ration), 30% concentrate feed mixture, 35% fresh berseem, 20% corn silage and 15% rice straw (TMR1) and 35% fresh berseem, 30% corn silage, 14% rice straw, 10% corn grain, 5% soybean meal, 5% wheat bran and 1% premix (TMR2). In experiment 2 (summer feeding): 21 Friesian cows and 21 buffaloes fed rations consisted on DM basis of 60% concentrate feed mixture, 20% berseem hay and 20% rice straw (control ration), 50% concentrate feed mixture, 15% berseem hay, 20% corn silage and 15% rice straw (TMR1) and 15% berseem hay, 30% corn silage, 14% rice straw, 20% corn grain, 10% soybean meal, 10% wheat bran and 1% premix (TMR2).
Results showed that the contents of DM, CP, CF, EE and ash tended to decrease, but the contents of
Milk yield and 4% FCM were higher significantly (P<0.05) for cows and buffaloes fed TMR1&2 compared with those fed control ration and for winter than summer feeding. Milk yield was significantly higher (P<0.05) for cows than buffaloes, while the yield of 4% FCM was nearly similar. Cows and buffaloes fed TMR2 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest contents of fat, lactose, SNF and TS in milk and those fed control ration had the highest protein and ash contents. The contents of all milk constituents were nearly similar for winter and summer feeding and the contents of all milk constituents except ash were significantly higher (P<0.05) for buffaloes than cows.
The amounts of DM and DCP per kg 4% FCM were significantly lower (P<0.05) for cows and buffaloes fed TMR1&2 than those fed control ration, but TDN was nearly similar. The amounts of DM, TDN and DCP per kg 4% FCM were significantly lower (P<0.05) for winter than summer feeding and cows than buffaloes. Cows and buffaloes fed TMR1&2 showed significantly (P<0.05) the lowest average daily feed cost and feed cost per kg 4% FCM and the highest output of 4% FCM yield and economic efficiency. Average daily feed cost, feed cost per kg 4% FCM were significantly lower (P<0.05) and the output of 4% FCM and economic efficiency were significantly higher (P<0.05) for winter than summer feeding. The output of 4% FCM yield and economic efficiency were significantly higher (P<0.05) for cows than buffaloes.
Cows and buffaloes fed TMR2 showed significantly (P<0.05) the short periods of first estrus and service, service period, days open and calving interval, the lowest service per conception and the highest conception rate. The periods of first estrus and service, days open and calving interval were short, the service per conception was lower and the conception rate was higher for summer than winter feeding (P<0.05). The periods of first estrus and service, service period, days open and calving interval were short, the service per conception was lower and the conception rate was higher for cows than buffaloes (P<0.05).
Key words: Lactating cows and buffaloes, total mixed ration, digestibility, feed intake, milk yield, feed conversion, economic efficiency and reproductive performance.
