Journal Articles Published by DTRI

EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING OF MULATO II (Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II), MOMBASA (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa) AND NAPIER (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) SILAGES ON THE FEED INTAKE AND YIELD AND COMPOSITION OF MILK OF HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN X

Menandro M. Loresco, Mary Joy C. Andal, Karla Joy S. Ty, Angelo M. Tapia, Amado A. Angeles

ABSTRACT

Mulato II (Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II), Mombasa (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa) and Napier (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) grasses were ensiled with 4% molasses w/w for three to four weeks and fed to Holstein Friesian x Sahiwal (HF x SH) cows to determine the effects on dry matter intake, milk yield and milk composition. Nine (9) cows with an average body weight of 427.7 ± 59.4 kg were blocked by stage of lactation, 14-100 days-in milk (DIM), 101-200 DIM and ≥ 201 DIM and randomly assigned to one of the three silage treatments made from Napier, Mulato II or Mombasa grasses. The three silages were fed at 50% of the daily roughage requirement for 60 days in addition to fresh grasses and concentrates. Results showed similar dry matter intake (DMI) of cows fed with the three grass silages. The yield and composition of milk were comparable hence an indication that Mulato II and Mombasa have similar feeding value with that of Napier grass as roughage for dairy cows.