Performance of Dairy Cows on Green Fodder Maize Based Ration in Coastal Hot and Humid Climate

Ten crossbred dairy cows (avg. BW 276.80 +/- 11.51 kg) were divided into two groups i.e. control group (CG) and treatment group (TG) of five animals in each to find out the effect of feeding green fodder maize as replacement of concentrate mixture on their performance. The animals of CG were offered daily 4 kg concentrate mixture (CM) along with 1 kg fresh green fodder maize and ad lib. jowar straw; while in TG, 50% of the CM as offered in the CG was replaced by 20 kg fresh green fodder maize. The total DM intake in both the groups was in the range of 10.20-10.33 kg/day, and was similar (P > 0.05) between the two groups. There was difference (P < 0.05) in roughage: concentrate ratio of the total rations in CG (61.27: 38.73) and TG (80.36: 19.64). The milk yield (4.83 vs 4.87 kg/day) and 4% FCM yield (4.41 vs. 4.12 kg/day) of the animals of the CG was similar (P > 0.05) to TG. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the milk compositions i.e. fat (3.49 vs 3.01%) and SNF (8.88 vs 8.51%) content of milk between the two groups. There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the CP% of the diets. The DCP content of the CG (6.59%) was however higher (P < 0.05) than that of the TG (5.36%); but the TDN content of the TG (62.21%) was higher (P < 0.05) than the CG (57.18%). The net cost (Rs.) of feed in TG (97.53) was lower than the CG (125.74). Based on the 4% FCM yield, the cost of milk was similar in both the groups. There was higher net profit of Rs. 17.99 per animal per day due to replacement of concentrate mixture by green fodder maize. It was concluded that dairy cows yielding around live kg milk daily, 1 kg concentrate mixture can be replaced by 10 kg green fodder maize without affecting the daily milk yield.