Effect of using Panicum in nutrition on milk production in dairy cows and weight gain in fattening calves

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Livestock and wildlife laboratory, Arid Land Institute , Médenine Tunisia

2 Institute of African Research and Studies and Nile Basin Countries - Aswan University

3 Regional Center for Agricultural Research Sidi Bouzid Tunisia

Abstract

Feed is essential for improving the growth and productivity of cattle. This study evaluated the effect of Panicum maximum on milk production in dairy cows and body weight gain in Holstein fattening calves. The experiments were conducted on 12 dairy cows, aged 3 to 5 years, divided into two groups of six each: one fed a Panicum-based diet, and the other a conventional diet consisting of typical dairy feeds. Additionally, the study included 12 male Holstein fattening calves, 18 months old, divided into two groups of six each, receiving either a Panicum-based diet or a conventional diet.

The results showed that cows fed a Panicum-based diet produced an average of 19.91 ± 5.51 kg of milk per day, significantly higher than the traditional diet group, which produced 18.48 ± 4.36 kg (p < 0.05). Male calves fed Panicum had an average weight of 412.03 ± 28.68 kg, compared to 397.14 ± 16.67 kg in the traditional diet group, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002). These results suggest that Panicum maximum may improve both milk production and weight gain, highlighting its potential as a dietary supplement in dairy and beef production systems.

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