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Abstract
The effects of dietary supplementation of urea-molasses multi nutrient block of lactating Horro cows fed Rhodes grass (chloris gay ana) hay as a basal diet on milk yield, milk composition, feed intake and live weight change was studied on-station (at Horro Guduru Animal Production and Research Center of Wollega University). Sixteen cows in similar parity and lactation were randomly assigned to two groups: group A (control) and group B (UMMB-supplemented). The control group received baled Rhodes grass hay as a basal diet and small amount of concentrate; whereas the supplemented group (B) received UMMB in addition to the normal ration offered to the control group. The experiment was conducted for 60 days during the dry months. Mean daily milk yield and feed intake were higher in the cows supplemented with UMMB (P<0.01) compared to the un-supplemented group. The average milk yield for control and supplemented groups are 1.62 and 2.38 respectively. On the other hands no significant differences were observed among the supplemented and control group for milk composition and body weight gain (P>0.05). However the body weight gain is slightly better for the supplemented group. The increased milk production due to UMMB supplementation in this study could be attributed to the increased intakes of energy and nitrogen that was accessed through block supplementation.
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Article Information
Article History:
Received : 05-01-2016
Revised : 14-03-2016
Accepted : 19-03-2016
Keywords:
UMMB
Rhodes grass
Milk yield
Feed intake
INTRODUCTION
A major constraint of livestock production in developing countries is the scarcity and fluctuating quantity and quality of the year-round feed supply. In Ethiopia, the communal grazing land is shrinking both in quantity and quality from time to time due to cropping. This calls for the cultivation of improved forages. Various species of improved forages were introduced to Ethiopia through the regular program and projects. Rhodes grass is among the most commonly adapted improved grass species in many parts of the country in general and in the study area in particular. Large amount of baled Rhodes grass hay is being produced and stored as a dry period feed in Horro Guduru Animal Production and Research Center (H/G/A/P/R/C) of Wollega University. The hay is usually offered to the animals with...