Production performance of Holstein crossbred cows under the existing farming system in a certain area of Bangladesh

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of existing feeding system on milk yield and nutritional status and profitability of 75.0% and 87.5% Holstein crossbreed cows under existing farming system in an area of Bangladesh. In a milk pocket area (Keraniganj, Dhaka), three dairy farms termed F1, F2 and F3 were randomly selected having 34, 55 and 19 lactating cows, which 75% and 87.5% Holstein blood were 48 and 60, respectively. Using pretest questionnaire information like body weight, daily milk production, parity number, days in milking, blood percentage and feeding system of each animal were noted throughout a year. All data of three farms were subjected to analyze in one-way ANOVA in terms of 75% and 87.5% Holstein cows, separately. The body weight (kg) of 75% Holstein were F1 (296), F2 (497) and F3 (496) cows (p<0.05), while daily milk yield (kg) did not differ markedly among F1 (9.1), F2 (10.5) and F3 (13.9) (p>0.05), respectively. 75% Holstein of F1 offered almost, metabolizable energy (ME) and digestible crude protein (DCP), while cows of F2 and F3 fed daily insufficient DCP (-0.14kg) and over DCP (+0.47kg), respectively thus resulting in 37.2% less milk yield in F3 compared to F2 (p<0.05). Besides, 87.5% cows of F1, F2 and F3 had 365, 528 and 566kg body weight (p<0.05) and daily produced 10.5, 10.8 and 19.4kg milk (p>0.05), respectively. However, 87.5% cows of F1 daily offered almost balance ME and DCP, while the cows of F2 fed lower DCP (-0.2kg). Then, cows of F3 daily fed excessive DCP (+0.14kg) thus resulting in produced 8.6kg higher milk than cows of F2. Net return except depreciation cost from 75% cows of F1, F2 and F3 were 118, 170 and 145BDT, while 87.5% cows of F1, F2 and F3 were 189, 196, and 413BDT (p>0.05), respectively. It may be concluded that under existing feeding system and farming practices, cows from the F1, F2, and F3 of 75% and 87.5% Holstein blood daily produced 9.8, 10.7 and 16.7kg of milk per day with 330, 512, and 531kg body weight on average, generating 154, 183, and 279BDT in profit, respectively. Feeding lower nutrient to dairy cows resulted better milk yield and return at the sacrifice of cow fitness, while excessive feeding lead to higher milk yield but lower return, whereas optimum nutrition resulted in better milk yield and return.