Effect of two types of total mixed rations on production performances of Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation

Abstract

The milk production of high producing European dairy cattle breeds in tropical environment is not in satisfaction level. In general, cows develop negative energy balance at the early lactation resulting poor production performances. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of total mixed ration feeding systems (TMR) over conventional feeding system to increase the production performances of cows in early lactation. Napier (Pennisetum purpureum) based conventional feeding system (CFS) versus two different types of total mixed rations as TMR1 (with the same ingredients and same quantity in CFS) and TMR2 (16% dry matter of napier in TMR1 was replaced with legume and non-legume) were studied on production performances of 15 Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation (n=5). The highest average daily milk yield was observed in TMR2 fed cows (17.88±3.03 L/d) while the lowest was observed in CFS fed cows (12.23±0.88 L/d, p<0.0001). The percentage of average daily weight gain was differed (p=0.01) among the treatments (CFS=1.53%, TMR1=2.79%, and TMR2=4.32%). The body condition score of the cows fed with TMR1 and TMR2 was increased by 0.1 and 0.25, respectively at the end of the experimental period whereas it was unchanged in the cows fed with CFS. Results revealed that feeding of TMR for Holstein Friesian cows in early lactation is a better way to achieve increased milk production with a better body condition in the tropics. TMR consisted of legume and non-legume fodder was more efficient.