Effect of feeding different levels of green maize on performance of lactating crossbred cows

Lactating crossbred cows (16; 408.2 kg BW; producing 8.3 kg milk/d; in 3rd lactation) divided into four equal groups were offered concentrate mixture ad lib. wheat straw (T1) supplemented with either 10 (T2), 20 (T3) or 40 kg maize (T4) per day for 90 days. The moment nutrient intake was higher (P<0.05) in T4 than that of T2 and T1 groups. The nutrient intake was similar in T4 and T3 groups. The digestibility of CF and EE was higher in T4 as cotnpared to T2 and T1. There was non-significant difference for CF digestibility between T3 and T2. The EE digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T4. However, a nonsignificant difference was observed between T3 and T1; T4 and T3 for EE digestibility. Digestibility of other nutrients and nutritive value was comparable. The daily milk yield and fat percent was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T4 group as compared to other three groups. It was concluded that feeding higher amount of green maize to lactating crossbred cows may enhance the nutrient utilization, milk yield and composition.