Feeding value of urea treated corncobs ensiled with or without enzose (corn dextrose) for lactating crossbred cows

Abstract

This study was aimed to establish the amount of enzose (corn dextrose) for optimum N fixation in urea treated corncobs (UTC) and their dietary effect on nutrient intake, digestibility and milk yield in crossbred cows. Corncobs were treated with 5% urea and ensiled in laboratory silos with 0, 2, 4 and 6% enzose for 15 days. Total nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and neutral detergent insoluble N contents were increased in UTC with the level of enzose. Five early lactating crossbred cows (SahiwalxHolstein Frisian) were used in a 5x5 Latin Square Design to see the influence of UTC ensiled with 6% enzose on nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield and its composition. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. The UTC30 (control), UTC40, UTC50, UTC60 and UTC70 diets contained 30% UTC ensiled without enzose and 40, 50, 60, 70% UTC ensiled with 6% enzose, respectively. Dry matter, NDF and ADF intakes were increased with the increasing level of UTC ensiled with enzose in the diets of cows. Dry matter, NDF and ADF digestibilities were significantly higher with diets containing UTC ensiled with enzose. Milk yield was significantly higher in cows fed UTC70 compared to those fed on other diets. The milk crude protein percentage was significantly different across treatments. However, milk fat, total solids, solid not fat, true protein and non-protein nitrogen contents of milk remained similar across all diets. Ensilation of UTC with 6% enzose improved the nitrogen retention and thus enhanced the feeding value of UTC for lactating cows.