Nutrient Utilization and Performance of Crossbred Cows Fed Urea Treated Straw Based Diets

Eighteen crossbed lactating cows (319±15.21 kg BW) were randomly divided into three groups of six each. The animals in treatment 1 (T1) was fed untreated wheat straw along with concentrate mixture and the animals in treatment 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) were offered urea treated straw with 25 and 35 per cent less quantity of concentrate mixture, respectively, as compared to control. The average daily DM intake was higher (P<0.05) in treatments T2 and T3. The digestibility of DM though not statistically higher but CF and CP digestibility were significantly (P<0.05) higher in treatments T2 and T3. Mean TDN (%) content of the composite diet was comparable among the experimental groups; however, TDN intake was higher (P<0.05) in T2 and T3 than T1. There was no significant changes were observed in milk yield and milk composition among the groups. Blood constituents like serum protein, glucose and urea were within the normal physiological range. Thus urea treated straw can be fed with the reduction of 25–35 per cent concentrate requirement in the ration without affecting milk yield and nutrient utilization.