Specific supplemental feeding of Sahiwal cows and their effect on body condition score, body weight and onset of reproductive cycle

Abstract

Focusing on the state of negative energy balance in cows during transition period the present research was designed. Sixteen advanced pregnant Sahiwal cows were selected and divided into two groups i.e., control (n=8) and treatment (n=8). The cows in control group were fed with available green fodder along with dry straw, concentrate @ 3 kg/day/animal, lactating cows were provided with 1 kg concentrate for maintenance along with 400 gm concentrate/litre milk/day and mineral mixture was given @ 2% of total feed/animal/day. The cows in treatment group were fed with additional experimental feed i.e., Bypass fat (100 g/animal/day) + Bypass protein (200 g/animal/day) + Beta-carotene (300 mg/animal/day), for a period of 70±10 days. The Body Condition Score (BCS), Body weight (BW) and first post-partum estrus were recorded. Results showed that BCS was 2.91±0.07, 2.87±0.08 and 2.81±0.09, 3.19±0.06 and BW (in kgs) was 337.93±3.82, 297.12±8.28 and 338.31±2.17, 322.68±5.25 in control and treatment group recorded at -10 and 60th day post-partum respectively. The first post-partum estrus in treated group differs significantly (p<0.05) i.e., 34.13±1.97 and 29.75±1.18 days in control and treatment group respectively. So, it is concluded that BCS and BW was improved as the losses observed in both the parameter was less in treatment group as compared to control group. Also, the first detectable post-partum estrus was found earlier in treatment group over control group. Hence, feeding bypass nutrients in the diet of indigenous dairy cattle improved their growth as well as reproductive performance.