Evaluation of Formulated Concentrate Feeds on Feed Intake and Milk Yield of Lactating Upgraded Dairy Cows at Nekemte and Ijaji Towns

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Abstract
A study was carried out at urban and peri-urban areas of Nekemte and Ijaji towns to evaluate the effects of formulated concentrate feeds on feed intake and milk yield of upgraded dairy cows kept by smallholder dairy keepers. Twenty four lactating dairy cows within their 2 nd months after calving and with similar status were selected from smallholder dairy keepers under zero grazing system whereby feed intake, BCS and milk yield data were recorded for a period of 90 days. The cows were randomly allocated to four feeding groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Cows in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were fed commercial dairy feed, recommended concentrate feed of ATRC, recommended concentrate feed of HARC and recommended concentrate feed of BARC, respectively. Basal diet for all dietary treatments were natural grass hay adlibtum. The average CP (%) and IVDMD % of the natural grass hay and recommended concentrates of BARC were (8.2, 7.95) and (25.88, 10.59), respectively. The daily concentrate DM) and CP intakes were significantly different (p<0.001) among the dietary treatments with highest values being registered for T4 (8.2 and 2.12 kg/d, respectively) and for T1 7.55 and 1.77kg/d respectively while the lowest values being registered for t T2 (6.28 and 1.3 kg/d, respectively) and for T3 (5.83 and 1.12 kg/d, respectively). The daily mean milk yields were higher (P<0.001) for cows in T4 (16.42 liter/day) and in T1 (15.10 liter/day) than those for those in T2 (12.55 liter/day) and in T3 (11.66 liter/day). Milk yield was also affected by location (P<0.001) with the highest milk yield being obtained at Nekemte town (15.15 liter/day) and the lowest at Ijaji town (11.49 liter/day). The largest change noted in variable costs was birr 120.79 per day and the change observed in net income was birr 361.24 per day, resulting in a marginal rate of return of 76.69% for T4. Among the concentrates recommended different research centers and the commercial concentrate, concentrate recommended at BARC and the commercial ones increased milk production and profitability of the dairy enterprise. Therefore, Feeding these concentrate types for upgraded lactating cows under smallholder dairy keepers is profitable both biologically and economically.

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