This research was carried out to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation on growth, milk yield and composition, and reproductive responses of crossbred Zebu cows for a period of 120 days (two months pre-partum and two months post-partum). Six (06) advanced pregnant (60 days of pre-partum) crossbred Zebu cows in second parity were equally divided into two groups like control and supplemented. About 22.0 Kg mixed green fodders (Para: German =2:1) and 2.0 Kg concentrate mixtures (wheat bran, mustard oil cake, common salt and di-calcium phosphate were 82.28, 13.72, 3.70 and 0.30%, respectively) were offered as basal diet to each cow of both groups. Beside these, extra amount (0.5 Kg) of concentrate mixture (wheat bran- 50%, mustard oil cake- 40%, common salt- 2% and di-calcium phosphate- 8%) was supplied to each cow of supplemented group. Results revealed that pre-and post-partum dry matter intake was significantly (p=0.000) higher in the supplemented group compared to control group but concentrate supplementation had no effect on body weight and body condition score of the zebu cows. About 19% milk production was increased (p=0.000) due to concentrate supplementation in diet of crossbred zebu cows but milk composition remained unchanged (p>0.05). On the other hand, birth weight of calves was non-significantly (p=0.29) higher (24%) in additional concentrate supplementation group compared to the control group. Moreover, it was found that limited amount of concentrate supplementation was able to reduce about 12 days of post-partum heat period (p=0.02) and days open (p=0.01) of Zebu cows which would be helpful to gear up the tropical dairy animal production. It is concluded that supplying of additional amount of concentrate to the cows before and after 2 months of freshening had a positive influence on milk production as well as reproductive performance.
Key words: Feeding, Body condition score, Milk yield, Milk composition, Post-partum heat period, Days open
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