Effect of Replacing Cereal Grain in Concentrate With Wheat Bran on the Performance of Lactating Bos indicus×Bos taurus Cows Fed Green Fodder ad libitum in the Northern Plains of India

Thirty-one multiparous Bos indicus${\times}$Bos taurus cows were offered concentrate supplements based on (1) 2 kg wheat bran; (2) 4 kg wheat bran; and (3) concentrate (30 maize: 67 wheat bran) at 0.5 kg per 1.0 kg milk produced, in a one year study in India. All supplements also contained 2 parts of a mineral mixture and 1 part salt. Cows were allocated to treatments at calving on parity (2nd and 3rd calf) with 13, 8 and 10 cows respectively in treatments 1, 2 and 3. They were individually fed for whole lactation, the basal diet being ad libitum berseem clover plus 2 kg wheat straw in the cool season/winter (period 1) and chopped maize in summer (period 2). Diets with berseem offered TDN and CP contents of 67.6, 18.2; 65.5, 16.8; and 67.5, 16.8 percent; and with maize fodder 62.6, 12.0; 62.6, 12.5; and 63.3, 12.5 percent for treatments 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Total dry matter (DM) intakes (1) 9.9 kg, (2) 10.9 kg and (3) 11.1 kg DM/day and intake of nutrients (TDN, CP) increased with level of supplementation (p<0.01), but effects of treatment on animal performance were not significant. Cow milk yields averaged (1) 7.9 kg, (2) 8.1 kg and (3) 8.8 kg milk/day (p>0.05) for lactation lengths of 252, 270 and 220 days (p>0.05) and cows gained +7.3; +8.1; and +12.0 kg respectively over their lactation (p>0.05). Wheat bran was used effectively as the sole energy component in concentrates for lactating dairy cows. Its use could potentially reduce feed costs and demands for cereal grain. Reduced concentrate levels may be considered if green forages of high nutrient content are fed ad libitum. Associated economic advantages or disadvantages require further evaluation.