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Effect of Feeding Intervention on Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Cows in Different Seasons of Bangladesh

TU Ahmed
National Agriculture and Technology Project (NATP), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Bangladesh.

ABM Khaleduzzaman
Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Khamarbari Sarak, Farmgate, Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh.

MA Akbar
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

M Shamsuddin
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to investigate the reproductive performance of crossbred cows raised at farm conditions in Bangladesh through nutritional intervention during the last trimester of pregnancy in different seasons of a year. Feeding intervention in monsoon consists of feeding urea molasses straw (UMS) instead of only rice straw with increased concentrate level. This resulted in increased total DM intake from 8.07 to 9.26 kg/d, DCP intake from 0.23 to 0.60 kg/d and ME intake from 54.57 to 75.92 MJ/d in crossbred cows. Feeding intervention decreased postpartum estrus period from 91.72 to 84.02 d, calving to conception interval from 104.45 to 95.89 d and increased calf birth weight from 21.54 to 22.94 kg, irrespective of breed type. Breed had also similar effect on these reproductive parameters irrespective of feeding type. In winter, legume forage supply was curtailed over that supplied traditionally and rice straw with concentrates was increased resulting in decreased total DM, DCP and ME intake of cows. Intervened feeding, irrespective of genotype of the cows, decreased postpartum estrus period from 88.42 to 83.72 d, calving to conception interval from 99.52 to 92.56 d, service per conception from 1.56 to 1.39 number and increased calf birth weight from 21.77 to 23.42 kg. Breed also affected the reproductive performance irrespective of feeding intervention. Feeding intervention in summer season was to reduce rice straw and concentrates, and to increase the supply of green grass to the cows. Intervened feeding resulted in pronounced increase in intake of all the nutrients as well as the feed cost. As in the case of winter, both feeding and genotype had significant effects on postpartum estrus period, calving to conception interval, service per conception and calf birth weight, when considered individually. From the results of the present study it may be concluded that feeding interventions have significant effect on reproductive performance of crossbred cows.

Keywords: Birth weight, Crossbred cows, Feeding intervention, Genotypes, Postpartum heat period, Service per conception

Location: Sirajgonj district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Cow

Objectives:

To investigate the reproductive performance of crossbred cows raised at farm conditions in Bangladesh

Methodology:

Baghabarighat milk pocket area under Sirajgonj district was selected for the present study. Animals were crosses between Local and Sahiwal (L×SL), Local and Friesian (L×F) and Local, Friesian and Sahiwal (L×F×SL). One hundred cows from each genotype at their last trimester of pregnancy were randomly selected for the study. Animals of each genotype were grouped into two such as traditional feeding group and intervened feeding group having 50 animals in each. Average age and live weight were 5 years and 340 kg, respectively. All pregnant cows were serviced through artificial insemination and were kept in separate shed near dwelling house consisting tin sheet, roof and brick made floor. Some of them were under thatched roof and uneven soil floor. All the animals were under similar management system. Total dry matter (DM), digestible crude protein (DCP) and metabolizable energy (ME) of the animals were calculated based on ARC (1980). In monsoon, usual feeding practice was to supply concentrates and rice straw where concentrate mixture was prepared by wheat bran (Triticum aestivum), pea bran (Pisum sativum), chola bran (Cicar ariatenum) and sesame oil cake (Sesamum indicum) at a ratio of 50:20:15:15. In intervened feeding, urea molasses straw (UMS) was prepared by rice straw, molasses, urea and water in the proportion of 10.0, 2.1, 0.3 and 5.0 kg respectively (BLRI, 2003). Concentrate mixture was as similar as in traditional feeding. In winter season, cows were fed legume forages ad libitum in traditional feeding. Rice straw and concentrate mixture were supplied in small amount, however, in intervened feeding; supply of rice straw was increased compared to that used in traditional feeding in order to reduce the quantity of legume forages. The concentrate mixture was prepared with wheat bran and pea bran in the proportion of 80 and 20. In summer, animals were supplied rice straw, non-legume green forage (mainly Cynodon dactylon, Pennisetum purpureum and Zea mays) and concentrates. Supply of rice straw was reduced in intervened feeding and napier grass was increased in order to make the ration more balanced in terms of nutrients availability. Concentrate mixture consisting of wheat bran, pea bran, khesari bran and mustard oil cake at the ratio of 50:20:20:10. Cost and nutritional values of the ingredients were considered to include in the concentrate mixture. Average daily quantity of feed supplied to the animals in traditional and intervention feeding. Feeding intervention was carried out to correct the nutrient deficiency or excess based on the comparison of ARC (1980) standard. In monsoon, rice straw was supplied to the cows in the morning and evening after milking traditionally. The daily average requirement of UMS of the animals was determined based on their live weight and milk yield. The preparation of UMS was done twice daily at 8:00 and 15:00 hours and was supplied to the animals after half an hour of its preparation. UMS was used as sole roughage source for the animals. In winter, the excess feeding of legume forage was reduced to save some forage by making hay for future feeding. One of the aims of feeding restricted amount of legume forage was to minimize the cost of feeding simultaneously keeping the nutrient supply as per requirements of the animal. On the other hand, in summer season, the supply of rice straw was reduced and that of napier grass was increased in order to make the ration more balanced in terms of nutrients availability. Napier grass was supplied as cut and carries system at the rate of about 20 kg per cow per day. In all the seasons, the concentrates were supplied to cows before milking at 7:00 and 14:00 hours. The period from calving to first estrus was observed and recorded as the postpartum estrus period (days). Calving to conception interval (days) of the animals under study was recorded. Conception was considered as successful conception. Service per conception was recorded to determine the average number of artificial insemination required for each successful conception. The date of service was recorded to calculate the average number of service required for the successful conception of the cows. Calf birth weight (kg) was recorded by taking the weight of the calves with the help of a hanging balance immediately after birth. The weight of the calves was recorded individually for each animal. The data for feed and nutrient intake by the animals during traditional and intervention feeding were analyzed using pared t-test. Data for reproduction parameters were analyzed to compute ANOVA appropriate for a 2×3 factorial experiment in completely randomized design (CRD) using MSTAT statistical programme. Treatment sum of squares are partitioned into three components such as main effects of feeding systems, main effects of breeds and their interaction effects.

Source of Information: Inter J Agri Biosci, 2(1): 8-14, P-ISSN: 2305-6622, E-ISSN: 2306-3599

Article Link (Online Journal): www.ijagbio.com

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the results of the present study it may be concluded that feeding interventions have significant effect on reproductive performance of crossbred cows.

Knowledge Management: Journal