EFFECT OF FEEDING UNDEGRADABLE DIETARY-PROTEIN ON MILK-PRODUCTION OF CROSSBRED COWS

Fourteen crossbred cows in 2 to 5 lactation, whose previous lactation yield was 8 to 10 kg/day were divided into 2 equal groups based on the ir body weight, previous lactation yield and lactation number. They we re fed isocaloric concentrate mixtures containing 35% UDP in CP (group I) or 50% UDP in CP (group II) from 15 day after calving up to 252 da ys. Ragistraw was the sole source of roughage for both the groups. The average yield of fat corrected milk/day/cow vias significantly higher in group II(9.4 kg) when compared with group I (7.8 kg). With the pro gress of lactation, the magnitude of decline in milk yield was much lo wer in group II than group I. It was infered that providing higher amo unts of bypass protein in the diet of lactating cows maintained on str aw-based diet enhances milk production.