Effect of Formaldehyde Treated Mustard Cake on Nutrient Utilization and Milk Production Performance in Crossbred Cows Fed Wheat Straw Based Diet

An experiment was conducted to study the supplementation effect of formaldehyde treated mustard cake on its chemical composition, nitrogen fractions, in situ degradability, nutrient utilization and milk production performance in crossbred (Karan- Fries) dairy cows. Twelve lactating crossbred cattle were randomly divided into two groups on the basis of milk yield (10.12 kg/day) and days of calving (90 days) in a randomized block design. They were fed green berseem fodder, wheat straw and concentrate mixture supplemented with 0.9 kg untreated (raw) mustard cake as fed basis (8 per cent of total diet) in the control group, whereas untreated mustard cake was replaced by formaldehyde treated mustard cake in the treatment group to make both diets isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The roughage to concentrate ratio was 55:45 in both the diets. The cows were housed in individual byres and fed experimental diet for 90 days. The total dry matter intake apparently higher in the treatment group but values remained statistically was similar in both groups. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber was not significantly different in both groups. However, average milk production(10.05kg/d) and fat corrected milk yield per day(11.03 kg) was significantly(P<0.05) higher in treatment group as compared control group(8.99 and 10.18kg/d). Milk composition almost remained unaffected and was similar in both groups. Thus, rumen bypassing of protein fractions in present experimental study showed beneficial effect on milk production in medium producing crossbred cows.