Effect of feeding gliricidia and stylo meal on the milk yield and composition of dairy cows

Abstract

Optimizing the productivity of livestock under smallholder farming system remains a challenge due to inability to feed adequate quantity of concentrate feed to express the genetic potentials. The high cost of concentrate feed for smallholder farmers hinders the optimization of productivity of the livestock. There is an urgent need to support smallholder farmers in Bhutan to augment livestock productivity through cheaper yet nutritious feeding resources. This study examined the effect on milk yield and its constituents by substituting home based cattle concentrate feed with legume meal (Glyricidia sepium and Stylosanthes guianensis). The feeding experiment was conducted at Dekiling Geog in Sarpang Dzongkhag. Three Jersey cross cows in mid lactation, weighing in average about 248.66 kg (live body weight), were assigned to a 3 x 3 Latin Squares. The dietary treatments consisted of 30 %, 20 % and 0 % legume meal in the daily diets of the experimental cows. The replacement of home-based concentrate with legume meal did not significantly affect the milk yield and its composition. The study finding suggests that homebased concentrates can be safely replaced by feeding legume forage meals. As legume meals can be made available year-round, it could be a good alternative feeding resource to sustain milk production throughout the production cycle in smallholder dairy farming system.