Effect of feeding maize (Zea mays) silage on milk yield and composition of lactating crossbred cows during lean period

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 10 crossbred cows (20–60 days in milk, 6th to 7th stage of lactation), to study the effect of feeding maize silage on milk yield and composition during lean period (15th November to 15th December 2019; 30 days). The animals were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of average body weight and milk production (349.70±9.77 kg and 7.41±0.39 kg/day; n=5). All the animals were fed concentrate mixture as per thumb rule method in addition to 3–4 h of daily/routine morning grazing in paddock. Wheat straw (WS) was offered @ 7 kg/day to control group whereas in treatment group WS was offered @ 2 kg/day/animal, however, maize silage was fed additionally @ 6 kg/day/animal after evening milking. The results revealed similar average milk yield in both the groups, but mean fat corrected milk yield (4% FCM) was found higher for cows fed with silage (7.39 vs. 6.47 kg/d). Although, no beneficial effect of maize silage supplementation was observed in milk composition (%), but average milk fat yield (MFY) and milk total solids yield (MTSY, kg/d) was significantly increased in treatment group (16.67% increase in MFY and 14.87% increase in MTSY, respectively). In term of economics, the treatment group incurred highest returns of ` 28/animal/day in comparison to untreated animals and thus ultimately incurred highest benefit cost ratio of 1.28 than control group with corresponding value of 1.03. Hence, it may be concluded that maize silage supplementation in feeding regimen of crossbred cows during lean periods is beneficial which is evident by increased 4% FCM, milk yield, MFY, MTSY, besides improving benefit : cost ratio.