Effect of strategic ration formulation on performance of lactating dairy cows

A.R. Kuteesa, J. Nambi-Kasozi & D.Mpairwe Department of Agricultural ProductionCollege of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesMakerere University

Outline of presentation Background Materials & methods Results & Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgments

Introduction 50% livestock sector & Livelihood to many Hh Low productivity due to inadequate nutrition Scarcity & inappropriate utilisation of available

feed resources Knowledge on feed formulation rarely used Ration formulation programmes : DRASTIC Objective: Benefit of precise feed formulation

Materials & MethodsFigure 1: Flow diagram of feeding trial

Diet I = FMC+ Basal

Diet II = MUM + Basal

Diet II = BSG + Basal

Diet IV = Farmer’s practice

Materials & Methods…. Figure 2: DRASTIC user interface

Materials& methods…. Data collection Feed intake Milk yield Milk composition Body weight Body condition Variable cost Revenue

Data analysis ANOVA for RCBD Proc Mixed of SAS Statistical model: Yijk = μ + ai + bj + ai×bj

+ eijk

Results: Table 1:Feed Intake

I II III IVDMI (Kg) 15.1a 17.2a 15.9a 7.0b 0.949 <.0001

DMI(%BW) 3.3a 3.7a 3.4a 1.5b 0.238 <.0001

CPI (g) 13.5a 10.4ab 8.7b 10.8ab 1.47 0.15

NEl(MJ) 629a 652a 688a 352b 78.74 0.007

P-ValueParameter Diets SEM

Results: Figure 3: Body weight changes

Results: Figure 4: Body condition changes

Results: Figure 5: Milk Yield

Results: Figure 6: Milk composition

Results: Figure 7: Gross Margins

Conclusion

Precise ration formulation improved

the milk production and farm profits

BSG is as effective as FMC or MUM

Choice should be based on

availability & cost

Acknowledgements

ASARECA for the survey

NARO Zonal Competitive Grant for

the feeding trials

Kageye Dairy Farmers Association

DAP Animal Science laboratory