Journal ID : AMA-21-05-2024-13057
[This article belongs to Volume - 55, Issue - 05]
Total View : 450

Title : Preservation of green fodder as fodder block for feeding in dairy cattle

Abstract :

Densification of roughage-based crop residues and other green fodders in compact, ready to eat feed block is an effective solution for animal feed management. Such fodder blocks can be stored over a long period of time and transported economically over long distances. Crop residues, leguminous green fodder, non- leguminous green fodder, weeds from field and tree fodders were collected and preserved as fodder blocks. The dimensions of the blocks were 30 x 30 x 10 cm. The weight of each block was approximately 0.8 kg. These blocks were incorporated with minerals and salt. The moisture content of fodder blocks after 2 days of drying under sun were 14.62. At 75% relative humidity, the fodder blocks could be safely stored without any protective packaging. The fodder blocks contained 6.71% to 28.52% crude protein on dry matter basis. The in vitro dry matter degradability of fodder blocks were found to be minimum 40.38% in paddy straw based block and 60.2% in mixed tree fodder block. The mean daily dry matter intake of fodder blocks varied from 1.14% to 3.61%. The cost of the fodder blocks varied from Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 5.25 weighing 1 kg according to the type of fodder included. The block making is a technology to preserve the crop residues, green fodder, tree fodder and any other green from the field with easy transportation, storage and during the scarcity period for feeding dairy cattle.

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