Performance of Lactating Sahiwal Cows Fed Corn Stovers Ensiled with Molasses, Urea and Lime Solution

To explore the advantages of feeding corn stover silage treated with molasses, urea and lime solution in lactating Sahiwal cows on milk production 25 lactating cows were divided into 5 groups according to randomized complete block design to test the performance of 5 different silages: 1) hybrid corn silage (HCS), 2) corn stover silage (CSS), 3) corn stover ensiled with 6% molasses (CSMS), 4) corn stover ensiled with 6% molasses and 0.3% urea (CSMUS) and 5) corn stover ensiled with 4% lime solution (CSCaoS) for 15 days. Sahiwal cows were kept in separate sheds for individual feeding. Sahiwal cows fed hybrid corn silage were served as control. All the silages were offered at ad libitum intake. Dairy ration containing 17.5% crude protein and 74% total digestible nutrients was also offered at the rate of half of milk produced. Animals were weighed at beginning of experiment and fortnightly thereafter. A 5 days digestion experiment was performed through complete assortment of excreta (urine and feces) at last week of investigation. Blood was also collected for the analysis of blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose. Intake of dry matter (DM) was significantly better in Saiwal cows reared on hybrid corn silage (HCS; control) followed by those fed CSS, CSMS, CSMUS and significantly lower in those fed CSCaoS. Intake of DM was similar in cows reared on CSS, CSMS, CSMUS. Milk production of animals reared on HCS was apparently higher than those reared on other treatments. Cows reared on CSS had lower milk production while those reared on CSMUS produced higher milk fat as compared to other treatments. Although the effect was negligible but plasma glucose and urea were observed within the locus interval for all treatments. Cows reared on HCS had higher dry matter (DM) and crude fibre (CF) digestibilities while it was lower in those fed CSCaoS. Nutrient digestibility was similar in CSS, CSMS and CSMUS. It was concluded that corn stover silage with molasses or molasses plus urea can replace the corn silage successfully for sustainable performance of lactating Sahiewal cows.