Nutrient utilisation in lactating crossbred cows fed on rations containing salseed meal (Shorea robusta)

Abstract

Experiments in a 3 × 2 × 2 Factorial Switchover design were conducted on twelve crossbred (Holstein × Hariana) lactating cows. The animals were fed wheat straw ad lib. as the sole roughage plus concentrate mixtures either with or without salseed meal at the 10% level and having 13, 16 and 20% calculated digestible crude protein (DCP) levels. Incorporation of salseed meal (DSSM) at a 10% level in the concentrate mixtures with different levels of protein had no significant effect on milk yield and its composition. No tangible effect was found on the nutrient digestibilities, except on the digestibilities of crude protein and ether extract which were significantly higher (P < 0·05) in the control compared with the experimental group. However, no significant differences were observed in metabolisable energy, nitrogen retention and the efficiencies for milk production in both groups. The present study indicates that cows with an average yield of 6 kg of milk per day can be sustained on diets containing 8·7% crude protein. No deleterious effects were noticed due to the incorporation of 10% DSSM in the rations of lactating cows. © 1983.