Doan Duc Vu, Pham Ho Hai and Vo Phuoc Quy

ABSTRACT

Results of an assessment on 300 dairy cows (>75%HF) at dairy smallholder farms of Cu Chi and Hoc Mon districts, HCM City showed that there were 42.3% dairy cows having a long calving interval (more than 14 months); Supplied levels of ME/CP for individual cows were different because that body weight and milk yield were different but they were fed the same rations; Compared with NRC 1989 requirement, dairy cows have been supplied ME and CP at sufficient to surplus during before calving period, at lack to sufficient during after calving period; In order to have good reproductive performance (calving interval is lower than 14 months), dairy cows should been supplied 120% ME, 115% CP during before calving period and 100% ME, 100% CP during after calving period compared to NRC 1989 requirement. After the assessment, an experiment on 75 dairy cows have been fed rations with above mentioned levels of ME and CP was carried out. Results showed that calving interval has been decreased 10-15%, milk yield increased 15-20% due to decreasing dry period and increasing milk production for lactation. Rations have been improved by increasing grasses and concentrate during before calving period; by increasing grasses, concentrate and beverage residue during after calving period.

Key words: Energy, protein, reproduction, dairy cows

From: Journal of Animal Husbandry Sciences and Technics – AHAV

No.143 – 2011, page 9-17

Author: Doan Duc Vu Email: doanducvu@yahoo.com

Insititute of Agricultural Science for Southern Vietnam