Effect of feeding straw based densified feed pellets on performance of lactating crossbred cows

The objective of this study was to observe the effect of feeding densified feed pellets (WSDFP) to lactating crossbred cows. Eight lactating crossbred cows were divided into two groups. Animals in T-1 were fed wheat straw and concentrate mixed in a ratio of 30:70 whereas in T-2 group these were converted into pellets. The mean dry matter intake was 9.50 +/- 0.13, 12.70 +/- 0.17 in T-1 to T-2 which was significantly (p <= 0.05) higher in T-2 group. There was no effect on digestibility of different nutrients between control and treatment group. Effect of treatment on percent milk fat, milk protein and solid not fat was found statistically non-significant. The net profit was 26.22 % higher in WSDFP than control group. The feed cost per kg milk was 7.41 % lower in WSDFP group in comparison to the control group and FCE was also comparable between WSDFP group (1.63) and the control group (1.55). The study revealed that feeding of wheat straw based densified feed pellets was more economic, less laborious than conventional feeding.