Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
Feeding Systems with Legumes to Intensify Dairy Farms - cgiar
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Effects of <strong>Feeding</strong> Fresh and Ensiled Cratylia argentea<br />
during the Dry Season on Milk Production and Milk<br />
Components<br />
Francisco Romero and Jesús González<br />
ECAG, Costa Rica<br />
One of the strategies of the Tropileche Consortium in Costa Rica is the<br />
search for feeding alternatives for cows during the dry season. The results of<br />
previous work carried out by the Escuela Centroamericana de Ganadería<br />
(ECAG) indicate that sugarcane is an alternative energy source for cows<br />
under grazing. Its protein content, however, is low. The study aimed <strong>to</strong><br />
evaluate the use of fresh and ensiled Cratylia argentea as a protein source.<br />
The study was based on the hypothesis that the protein quality of fresh and<br />
ensiled C. argentea was similar <strong>to</strong> that of yellow maize and soybean flour,<br />
which are sources of protein for commercial concentrates.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The experiment was carried out between 25 February and 20 April 1999<br />
at ECAG, located in Balsa de Atenas, Costa Rica, at 460 masl, <strong>with</strong> a mean<br />
annual temperature of 28 °C. Average precipitation was 1,500 mm/year,<br />
<strong>with</strong> two well-defined climatic seasons: a dry season from December <strong>to</strong> May<br />
and a rainy season from June <strong>to</strong> November.<br />
Forage Management<br />
Silage. The heap silage method was used. Silage was made during<br />
November 1998, using a 6-month-old Cratylia regrowth, which was cut <strong>to</strong> a<br />
height of 30 cm above the ground. Usable parts (leaves and tender stems)<br />
were separated and chopped <strong>to</strong> a size of 2.5 cm. Chopped material was then<br />
spread out in 20-cm layers and compacted. Molasses was then added at a<br />
proportion of 10:1 (10 kg C. argentea:1 kg molasses).<br />
Fresh Cratylia argentea. A 3-month-old regrowth was used. Plants<br />
were cut every day <strong>to</strong> a height of 30 cm above the ground, then chopped and<br />
offered <strong>to</strong> cows mixed <strong>with</strong> sugarcane.<br />
Sugarcane. Whole sugarcane was offered chopped (2.5-cm size) on a<br />
daily basis. Its nutritional content was 2% CP and 3.0 Mcal ME.<br />
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