Influence of Feeding Different Forms of Cottonseed on Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and Reproductive Performance of Lactating Cows

Eighteen early lactating cows were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each to determine the effects of inclusion of crushed whole cottonseed or expeller processed cottonseed cake on nutrient utilization and reproductive performance of lactating cows. In control group (C), the cows were fed with wheat straw, chaffed oats fodder and concentrate mixture while in groups T1 and T2, the animals were fed the same ration as in control group but 50% of groundnut cake in concentrate mixture was replaced with crushed whole cottonseed (T1) or expeller processed cottonseed cake (T2). The DM OM, CP, NDF and ADF intake was similar in different groups. However, the intake (kg/d) of CF and EE was higher (P<0.05) in group T1 whereas no difference was found between control and T2 group. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP was higher (P<0.05) in group T1 than control and group T2. The digestibility of NDF, ADF and CF was similar in all three groups. The balances of N, Ca and P were not affected by any of the treatments. Supplementation of whole cotton seed reduced the duration required for commencement of cyclicity, service period and the number of days required for conception and increased conception rate from 50 (control) to 66%. Therefore, 50% of groundnut cake could be replaced by whole cotton seed or cotton seed cake in the concentrate mixture of lactating cows.