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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 9, No. 3
Publication Date: June 25, 2021
DOI:10.14738/aivp.93.10170.
Islam, M. A., Alam, M. J., Kabir, M. E., Hossain, S. M. J., & Yasmin, F. (2021). Milk Yield and its Composition of Crossbred Dairy
Cows Fed Different Types of Grasses. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(3). 337-346.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Milk Yield and its Composition of Crossbred Dairy Cows Fed
Different Types of Grasses
Md. Asraful Islam
Department of Animal Production and Management
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Md. Jahangir Alam
Department of Animal Production and Management
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Md. Enayet Kabir
Department of Animal Production and Management
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
SM Jahangir Hossain
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
FarzanaYasmin
Department of Animal Production and Management
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different grasses in
diets for lactating cows and their implications on milk production and its
composition. Twenty lactating crossbreed (♂HF x ♀Local) cows at about same
age, lactation stage and production level were divided into four groups having five
cows in each group. Four different grasses like German, Para, Napier and Maize as
green fodder were randomly assigned to four groups. Grasses were supplied ad
libitum but the concentrate feed mixture were offered @1kg/2.5 litres of milk
production. The feeding trial lasted for 35 days, of which 7 days were adjustment
period. Results showed that average milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher
(13.14±0.99 l/d) in Maize grass fed group than others. There were no significant
differences on specific gravity and protein content of milk in different grass fed
groups of cows. Fat and solids-not-fat content were also significantly (p<0.05)
higher in Maize grass fed group than others. Lactose and ash content of milk
differed significantly (p<0.05) among the cows fed different experimental diets.
However, the highest lactose percent (4.86±0.09) was recorded in Para grass fed
group but the highest ash percent (0.99±0.05) was recorded in Maize grass fed
group. Therefore, it may be concluded that the cultivation of Maize grass should be
encouraged for feeding dairy cows throughout the country for increased and
quality milk production.
Keywords: Green Fodder, Milk yield and composition, Lactating cows
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338
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 9, Issue 3, June-2021
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
INTRODUCTION
Dairy cattle are integral part of the livestock sector. In Bangladesh, total cattle population is
about 24.39 million and total milk yield is 106.80 lakh metric tons [1]. Milk production started
to increase steadily since 2000 onwards. The pace of growth has accelerated following the
recent high rates of breed up-gradation and high yielding quality fodder production in the
mass dairy farming system. It is a fundamental approach to supply balanced ration to dairy
cows for maximum production. But in the country, there is heavy shortage of feed both in
quantity and quality which badly affects the performance of milking animals. However, the
feed shortage, especially of forages, is one of the main constraints of livestock development in
Bangladesh and also in most of developing countries [2]. The scarcity and low quantity of feed
resources are major constraints on improving the productivity of dairy animals in our
country. Research and development devoted to produce high-protein grass and fodders,
namely Napier, Maize, German, Para grass etc., is a crying need. These varieties provide high
concentrations of protein and other nutrients that can significantly improve animal health and
increase the productivity of dairy animals, especially milk production. However, it is observed
that a little study was conducted about the potentiality and nutritional impacts of these
common grasses to the milk yield and composition in our dairy sector.
Yield and composition of milk varies due to variation of genetic selection and dietary
management. Dietary management influences availability of nutrients necessary for the
synthesis of milk components. However, concentration and thus yield of milk fat and to some
extent milk protein can be manipulated through diet management [3]. Milk as a physiological
product frequently varies in composition depending on plane of nutrition of cows. Total
amount of milk production and composition produced daily depends on the lactation period
and affected by feeds [4]. The type of fodder fed to dairy cows greatly influences milk
production and farm profitability. Species of fodder differ widely in chemical composition,
nutrient digestibility and of digestion [3].
The sensory quality of dairy products is modified by the manufacturing process used but it
can also be strongly affected by the diet supplied to animal [5]. Many milk pricing plan and
quota systems pay the dairy producer for the amount of milk supplied, but also for the
composition of that milk. Thus, the milk composition is an important factor to the consumer
and producer. Further, adulterations in milk composition and preferred composition of milk
have implications at the consumer level. On the other hand, feeding of different grasses to
dairy animals has considerable implications in the production and composition of milk. So,
selection of right grass and fodder for the nutritional purpose as well as for the quantity and
quality of milk is an important factor to consider.
However, limited study has yet been carried out to investigate the effect of different grasses
on the yield and composition of milk in dairy sectors of our country. The information obtained
from the present study could help the dairy producer to produce quality milk with
satisfactory production level. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to assess the
nutritional composition of commonly used grasses like German, Para, Napier and Maize along
with their feeding effects on milk yield and its composition.
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339
Islam, M. A., Alam, M. J., Kabir, M. E., Hossain, S. M. J., & Yasmin, F. (2021). Milk Yield and its Composition of Crossbred Dairy Cows Fed Different
Types of Grasses. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 9(3). 337-346.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.93.10170
MATERIALS AND METHOD
The experiment was conducted in the Military Farm Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Animals, diets, and management
Twenty crossbred (♂HF x ♀Local) cows of around 7-8 years of age and each weighing about
325.65±21.59 kg were used in this study. All animals were in about same stage of lactation
and production. Animals were randomly divided into four groups (5 in each) and fed German
(Echinochloa polystachya), Para (Brachiaria mutica), Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) and
Maize (Zea mays) fodder respectively. Grasses were fed ad libiltum to the experimental groups
but the concentrate feed mixture (wheat bran, 40%; maize, 15%; rice polish, 10%; soybean
meal, 15%; khesari bran, 15%; common salt, 2%; vitamin-mineral premix, 1%; oyster shell
crush,2%) feeding was offered to the cows in all the groups at the rate of 1kg/2.5 litres of milk
production. The feeding trail consisted 7 days of adaptation to experimental diets and 28 days
of data collection.
The experimental animals were fed twice a day. Bathing and milking were also done twice in a
day that is morning and evening. Regular deworming was done at three months interval with
potential broad spectrum anthelmintic. Regular vaccination was done against contagious and
emerging diseases. Animals are kept under the shed in face out system with adequate
ventilation and temperature maintained to a comfortable level. All the animals shed were
supplied with industrial blower fan for the comfort of animals that kept the shed dry. All of
the dairy cows were under the same management condition.
Cultivation and collection of grass
German, Para, Napier and Maize were cultivated in four separate plot of grass land in Military
Farm Savar. All the grass plots were treated with equal management practices. German, Para
and Napier grasses were from first cutting and Maize was before bloom stage. Grass samples
were taken from different corner of the field for chemical analysis.
Proximate analysis of the grasses
Proximate analyses of the selected grasses were done in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory of
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Representative samples
of grasses were collected during the feeding trial from the selected areas, mixed thoroughly,
dried, grinded (CYCLOTEC 1093 Sample mill Tecator, Sweden) at the size of 0.5 mm for
chemicalanalysis according to the methods of AOAC (2006) [6] and estimated dry matter
(DM), organic matter (OM), CP (crude protein), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent
fiber (ADF) and ash.
Milk yield and analysis
Daily milk yield of individual cow was recorded throughout the experimental period. Milk
samples were collected at every seven days of interval from each group of cow just after
morning and evening milking for analyzing the following parameters: Specific gravity, Fat
(%), Solid-not-fat(%), Protein (%), Lactose (%) and Ash content (%). The milk samples were
tested in Dairy Technology Laboratory of Military Farm Savar, Dhaka and Biotechnology
Laboratory of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka.