Supplementary feeding of daily heifers on dry season grazing with maize silage, maize stover and Urea
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Date
1978
Authors
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
Supplementary feeding of Friesian, Ayrshire and Ayrshire x Zebu heifer on day time grazing of dry season pasture was evaluated at Morogoro, Tanzania, over a period of 11 weeks, using a 3x2 factorial randomized complete block design with five replicates. Main effects were balk supplement (control), maize silage, maize stover; fed ad libitum for 3 hours per night); and non-protein nitrogen (minus or plus urea; fed at 0.09% LW 0.75). all animals received molasses at 0.72% LW 0.75. Pasture intake was estimated with chronic oxide. Mean initial liveweight was 190 kg; liveweights were recorded twice weekly during supplementation and for eight weeks after onset of rain. In vive digestibility of supplementary feeds was estimated with shed in split plot design. Bulk supplements and area had no significant effect on heifer growth rates during dry, early-wet and combined dry/wet seasons, over all means being 0.59, 0.31 and 0.47 kg/head/day respectively. Treatment means for the supplemented dry season for control, silage and stover were 0.64, 0.57, 0.56 and for minus and plus area were 0.59, 0.58 kg/ head/day respectively. During supplementation mean intakes for silage and stover, and minus and plus area, were 1.58, 1.47 (NS) and 1.47, 1.59 (NS) kg DM/ head/day. Mean intakes of pasture during weeks 6 and 11 were 5.69 and 3.75 kg DM/head/day respectively; bulk supplements partially replaced pasture (p<0.05 in week 11), but area reduced this effect. Nutritive values of feeds over the supplementation period for pasture, silage and stover (DM basis) were crude protein 11.5,6.0, 3.6% digestible crude protein 6.8, 0.6,-0.2% dry matter digestibility 55.9, 47.9, 47.9; metabolizable energy 2.11, 1.76, 1.83 Mcal/kg respectively. Growth rates observed are discussed in relation to the dry matter and digestible nutrient intakes schieved. It is concluded were adequate pasture is available no benefit will be obtained from supplementing dairy heifers with bulk feeds or area. The results are related to the feeding potential of farm residues in Tanzania and suggestions made for further research.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr.Wilbert Chagula Library, class mark
(THS EAF SF203.R8)
Keywords
Heifers, Feeding and feeds, Cows
Citation
Rugambwa, V.K.(1978) Supplementary feeding of daily heifers on dry season grazing with maize silage, maize stover and Urea,Masters dissertation,University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.