Theme 2-3: Forage Production and Utilization--Poster Sessions

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Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is the difference between an animal’s actual feed and expected feed intakes for a given period of time. Literature shows that highly efficient animals have a negative or lower RFI. Thus understanding about RFI is important to maintain an efficient herd. A feeding trial was undertaken at a commercial farm in Sri Lanka having Frisian cross bred cows. The cows were fed with a grass-based Total Mixed Ration (TMR) having maize (Zea mays), CO3 (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum), beer pulp (wet brewer’s grain), dhal meal (Lens culinaris), mineral mixture and commercial cattle feed. However, the milk yields were lower than expected affecting the farm profit. Thus a study was undertaken to test a new TMR with the hypothesis that the new TMR would enhance milk production of the cows. Eighteen, Frisian cross bred cows were randomly assigned into two groups (Treatment 1: existing TMR; TMR 1) and Treatment 2: new TMR; TMR 2), in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Each treatment had three replicates. Data were collected (daily feed intake, milk yield and live body weight of cows) for a 28 day period. Residual Feed Intake was derived by a regression model using feed intake and live weight data. Efficiency of Feed Utilization was calculated using cumulative milk yield and feed intake data. The RFI in Treatment 1 (0.42± 0.197 kg/cow) was higher (P< 0.05) than Treatment 2 (-0.45± 0.197 kg/cow). Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Treatment 2 (36% ± 0.797 ml/cow) was higher (P< 0.05) than Treatment 1 (29% ± 0.797 ml/cow). The results show that the cows in Treatment 2 were more efficient than the cows in Treatment 1. Hence it can be concluded that the new TMR (TMR 2) consists of maize, CO3, Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), beer pulp, coconut (Cocos nucifera) poonac, rice bran, maize meal and mineral mixture was better than the exiting TMR (TMR 1).

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Residual Feed Intake (RFI) and Efficiency of Feed Utilization (EFU) of Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Fed Frisian Cross Bred Cows – a Case Study

Residual Feed Intake (RFI) is the difference between an animal’s actual feed and expected feed intakes for a given period of time. Literature shows that highly efficient animals have a negative or lower RFI. Thus understanding about RFI is important to maintain an efficient herd. A feeding trial was undertaken at a commercial farm in Sri Lanka having Frisian cross bred cows. The cows were fed with a grass-based Total Mixed Ration (TMR) having maize (Zea mays), CO3 (Pennisetum perpureum X Pennisetum americarnum), beer pulp (wet brewer’s grain), dhal meal (Lens culinaris), mineral mixture and commercial cattle feed. However, the milk yields were lower than expected affecting the farm profit. Thus a study was undertaken to test a new TMR with the hypothesis that the new TMR would enhance milk production of the cows. Eighteen, Frisian cross bred cows were randomly assigned into two groups (Treatment 1: existing TMR; TMR 1) and Treatment 2: new TMR; TMR 2), in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Each treatment had three replicates. Data were collected (daily feed intake, milk yield and live body weight of cows) for a 28 day period. Residual Feed Intake was derived by a regression model using feed intake and live weight data. Efficiency of Feed Utilization was calculated using cumulative milk yield and feed intake data. The RFI in Treatment 1 (0.42± 0.197 kg/cow) was higher (P< 0.05) than Treatment 2 (-0.45± 0.197 kg/cow). Efficiency of Feed Utilization in Treatment 2 (36% ± 0.797 ml/cow) was higher (P< 0.05) than Treatment 1 (29% ± 0.797 ml/cow). The results show that the cows in Treatment 2 were more efficient than the cows in Treatment 1. Hence it can be concluded that the new TMR (TMR 2) consists of maize, CO3, Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), beer pulp, coconut (Cocos nucifera) poonac, rice bran, maize meal and mineral mixture was better than the exiting TMR (TMR 1).