Evaluation on the Effects of Different Feed Supplementation on Nutrient Intake, Milk Yield and Economic Feasibility of Holstein Frisian Cross Breed Dairy Cow under Small Holder Farmer：Wondo Genet Woreda, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was undertaken on farm at Wondo Genet woreda Southern Nations National People Regional State (SNNPRS) Ethiopia, to evaluate the effect of different feed supplements on feed intake, milk yield and economic feasibility of Holstein Frisian cross breed dairy cows under small holder farmers. Twenty four cross breed dairy cows with early lactation mean initial milk yield of 10±1.34 (mean ±SE) lit per cow per day and average initial body weight 388.75 ± 2.41 kg (mean ±SE) was used for this research work.  The experiment had four treatments with six replications by using a randomized complete block design to which villages was used for blocking. The treatments were; T1, Harvested fresh natural pasture and sole wheat bran 100 %.  T2, Harvested fresh natural pasture and concentrate mix comprised with wheat bran 66%, noug seed cake33% and salt 1%. T3, Harvested fresh natural pasture and concentrate mix comprised with cotton seed cake 33%, wheat bran 66% and 1% salt and .T4, harvested fresh natural pasture and Urea molasses block. There was significant (P<0.05) differences on average crude protein and acid detergent fiber intakes among treatment groups. The average daily Milk yield have significant difference (P<0.05) among treatment diets. The daily average milk yield increment among treatments liter per cow per day was 3.00± 0.47, 2.89± 0.38^, 2.66± 0.38, and 0.42± 0.38; for T4, T2, T3 and T1 correspondingly.  The partial budget analysis describes monthly gross profit obtained from milk sale among the treatments was for T4= 1038.75 birr, T2=956.40 birr, T3= 844.20 birr and T1=-190.80 birr was observed. Thus, it was concluded that Holstein Frisian cross breed dairy cows at early stage of lactation fed a basal diet of fresh natural grass supplemented with 3 kg wheat bran and 500 gm UMB per day per cow could be a better strategy to improve the milk yield and income under small hold farmers’ management.

Keywords: Block; supplement; partial budget; nutrient composition.

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/9-11-05

Publication date:June 30^th 2019