Effect of changes in feed ration on milk productivity of Estonian Native cows
2001
Kalamees, K. | Saveli, O. | Kaart, T. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Inst. of Animal Science)
A feeding trial was carried out on Lanksaare farm to study the reaction of the Estonian Native breed cows to better feeding conditions. Feed rations for trial cows were formulated according to their milk yield. The milk performance data of the trial cows were compared with the relevant data of their previous lactation and with the productivity data of the cows of the same cowshed who had calved in the same period. The milk yield of trial cows exceeded significantly, by 2.03...5.55 kg, the daily output of both control groups as well as the daily output of other cows in the shed, by 3.65...6.94 kg, respectively. The milk fat and protein yield of the test cows was by 0.144...0.547 kg higher, compared with the yield of previous lactation, and by 0.203...0.640 kg higher than that of other cows in the same shed. The results could have been even better unless energy deficiency occurred in feeding, and milk SCC exceeded 250,000 cells/ml. Thus, the Estonian Native cows reacted favourably to better feeding conditions. The results of this study suggest that the milk production potential of the Estonian Native breed cows could be 5000...6000 kg/year, 5.0 per cent fat content, and 3.45 per cent protein content. Consequently, the Estonian Native breed cattle are worth keeping not only for genetic diversity conservation purposes, but also for their high productivity
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