Effect of urea‐molasses‐treated highland bamboo leaves supplementation on lactating crossbred dairy cows nutrient utilization, body weight, milk yield and its composition and economic performance under on‐farm condition in Guagusa Shikudad district, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background In Ethiopia, locally available feed resources are commendable in livestock production to make the sector sustainable and productive. Objectives This on‐farm evaluation was conducted to evaluate the effect of urea‐molasses‐treated highland bamboo (Yushania alpina) leaves (UMTHBL) in lactating crossbred dairy cows’ nutrient utilization, body performance, milk yield and quality and economic performance. Methods On‐farm feeding trial was conducted using 12 lactating cows with initial body weight (328.08 ± 0.98 kg), initial milk yield (3.14 ± 0.78 L) of uniform parity (2) and stage of lactation (early) using a Randomized Complete Block Design. Three dietary treatments, namely, 6 h grazing (control) + concentrate (T1), control + UMTHBL ad lib (T2), control + untreated BL adlib (T3) with three replications were used. Analysis of variance was employed for the feeding trial data analysis. Results The UMTHBL increased more dry matter and nutrients intake than untreated. A significant difference (p 0.05) for milk compositions. Similar to milk yield, dairy cows in T2 consumed more CP which is also reflected in higher body weight and economic benefit. Conclusion It can be concluded that employing treatment technology for highland bamboo leaves could support the crossbred dairy cows’ production in smallholder farmers.

Keywords

• bamboo leaf
• Guagusa Shikudad district
• milk composition
• milk production
• urea‐molasses treatment