EFFECT OF FEEDING BALED AND STACKED UREA-TREATED RICE STRAW ON THE PERFORMANCE OF CROSSBRED COWS

Crossbred dairy cows (2-4 lactations) in three groups (4 in each group ) were fed with rations containing (1) untreated rice straw ad libitum plus 1 kg concentrate supplement, (2) urea treated (4% urea; 50% mois ture) rice straw stored in stack for 14 days, and (3) urea treated pad dy straw compressed as bales and stored for 14 days. Extra concentrate supplement was offered to meet the production requirements. A 90 day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect on the quantity and qu ality of milk yield. During the last week of the experiment, a digesti on trial was conducted to assess voluntary intake and digestibility. T he voluntary feed intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher on urea tre ated rice straw rations stored either as stack or bale compared to the untreated rice straw ration. The digestibility coefficients of organi c matter, protein and fibre were significantly (P<0.05) higher on urea treated rice straw rations compared to untreated rice straw ration. S ignificantly (P<0.01) higher digestible protein and total digestible n utrients were recorded in rations containing either stacked or baled u rea treated rice straw, Milk yield and FCM yield were comparable for a ll the rations. However, the cost of feeding per kg FCM yield signific antly (P<0,05) lower on rations containing urea treated rice straw. (C ) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.