Abstract:
The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding canola cake on the lactation performance of 14 lactating crossbred cows. The cows were randomly divided into two treatments seven each and allocated in two dietary supplements containing mustard cake and canola cake, respectively as a major protein source for a period of120 days. The daily intake of DM and OM by lactating crossbred cows did not differ significantly (P>0.05) irrespective of the dietary treatments. The digestibility coefficient (%) of DM, OM, CP, EE and NDF was not also significantly (P<0.05) different. However, the digestibility of ADF was found to be significantly (P<0.05) higher in canola cake concentrate as compared to mustard cake concentrate. The daily dry matter intake (DMI) expressed as (kg/d) or per kg live weight (% LW) and the nutrient intake (kg/d) of composite diets in terms of DCPI and TDNI did not differ significantly (P>0.05) irrespective of dietary treatments by lactating crossbred cows. Feeding of mustard cake based supplement to cows resulted in numerically decreased daily milk yield, 4% FCM (kg/d), fat and protein yield (g/d) and total milk production (kg), as compared to canola cake fed cows. The efficiency of milk production was also numerically better in canola cake group as compared to mustard cake group. Canola cake was found to be cost effective. Hence, it may be concluded that mustard cake can be replaced completely by canola cake as a protein source without compromising the lactation performance of lactating crossbred cows.
