Utilization of rice straw for feeding ruminants : 4-economic and nutritional study of corn stalks and green rice straw silages in partial replacement of berseem in winter feeding of lactating buffaloes [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Five scenarios (rations) were formulated by computer to evaluate corn stalk silage (CSS) and rice straw silage (RSS) when they replaced part of berseem in winter rations for lactating buffaloes. The scenarios were used each type of silage by two levels to compare with control ration. Three scenarios out of five were selected to apply in vivo through a comparative feeding trial at Mehallet Mausa Research Station. Five lactating buffaloes averaged 550 kg LBW at the 2nd to 5th of its lactation seasons and after 8 weeks of calving were used through Swing-over design. The experimental rations were: control ration (CR) represented traditional winter ration: 34.0% concentrate feed mixture CFM) + 49.0% berseem (B) + 17.0% rice straw (RS): TR₁ and TR₁ were 34.0% CFM + 34.0% Berseem + 32% CSS and 34.0% CFM + 34.0% Berseem + 32% RSS respectively. Milk yield for the three experimental groups were 11.17, 11.66 and 11.85 kg/animal/day with no significant differences among them, while the corresponding values of yield as 7% FCM were 9.57.10.10 and 10.82 kg/head/day for CR, TR₁ and TR₂ respectively.

Summary in Arabic.

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