Sixteen multiparous lactating buffaloes in 2 nd and 5 th lactating season and weighing 500 to 600 kg were used after 8 weeks of calving in complete switchback design with four groups. Buffaloes in the first group were fed the control ration (R1) containing 60 % concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 20 % rice straw (RS) + 20 % berseem hay (BH) on DM basis, while in the other groups buffaloes were fed rations consisted on DM basis of 40 % CFM + 20 % RS + 40 % sugar beet tops silage (SBTS) and corn silage (CS) in different ratios, 2:1 (R2), 1:1 (R3) and 1:2 (R4) on DM basis, respectively. Results showed that the contents of CP and ash increased with increasing the proportion of SBTS, but OM, CF and NFE contents increased with increasing the proportion of CS in the rations. Digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CF, EE and NFE, TDN and feed intake as DM and TDN increased (P<0.05) with increasing CS level, however, CP digestibility, DCP value and CP and DCP intake increased (P<0.05) with increasing SBTS level. The pH value and NH3-N concentration increased (P<0.05) with increasing SBTS level of, however TVFA's concentration in rumen liquor (RL) increased (P<0.05) with increasing CS level. Buffaloes fed R3 recorded (P<0.05) the highest milk and 7% FCM yield, however, those fed R1 had the lowest yield. The percentages of fat, lactose and total solids (TS) in milk increased (P<0.05) with increasing CS level, however, the percentages of protein, solids not fat (SNF) and ash increased (P<0.05) with increasing SBTS level. Animals fed R3 showed the lowest amounts of DM and TDN required per kg 7% FCM while R4 showed the lowest amounts of CP and DCP required per kg 7% FCM. however, those fed R1 revealed the highest amounts (P<0.05). Buffaloes fed R3 showed the lowest feed cost/kg 7% FCM and the highest price of 7% FCM and economic efficiency, but those fed R1 had on opposite trend (P<0.05).

Twenty eight lactating buffaloes in the 2 nd to the 5 th lactating season, weighing 500-600 kg were used after one week of calving in a completely randomized design with 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effect of varying levels of protein and energy on nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield, feed conversion and economic efficiency. The low and high protein diets (12 and 16% CP) and low and high energy diets (60 and 65% total digestible nutrients, TDN) were used in four experimental diets include low protein-low energy (LP-LE), low protein-high energy (LP-HE), high protein-low energy (HP-LE) and high protein-high energy (HP-HE). Results showed that the CP digestibility and digestible crude protein (DCP) values were increased (P<0.05) in high protein diet. While, the digestibility coefficients of either extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) and TDN values were increased (P<0.05), but crude fiber (CF) digestibility decreased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet recorded the highest digestibility coefficients of CP, EE and NFE and nutritive values and HP-LE diet had the highest CF digestibility (P<0.05). Dietary DCP intake increased (P<0.05) in high protein diet and the intake of DM and TDN increased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet showed (P<0.05) the highest intake of TDN and DCP. The yield of actual milk and 7% fat corrected milk (FCM) increased (P<0.05) in high protein and high energy diet (HP-HE). The contents of protein, SNF and TS in milk increased (P<0.05) in high protein diet. While, the contents of protein, lactose, SNF and ash in milk increased (P<0.05) and fat decreased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet revealed the highest milk protein, lactose, SNF and TS contents and HP-LE diet had the highest fat content (P<0.05). The amounts of DM and TDN per kg 7% FCM decreased (P<0.05), but the amount of DCP per kg 7% FCM increased (P<0.05) in high protein diet. While, the amounts of DM, TDN and DCP per kg 7% FCM decreased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet showed the lowest amounts of DM and TDN per kg 7% FCM and LP-HE diet had the lowest amount of DCP per kg 7% FCM (P<0.05). Average daily feed cost and total revenue increased (P<0.05) in high protein diet. While, average daily feed cost and feed cost per kg 7% FCM decreased (P<0.05), but total revenue and economic efficiency increased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. The LP-HE diet recorded the lowest average daily feed cost, while HP-HE diet showed the lowest feed cost/kg 7% FCM and the highest total revenue and economic efficiency (P<0.05). Dietary protein level not affected postpartum reproductive performance of lactating buffaloes (P>0.05). However, the periods from parturition to first estrus and first service, service period, days open and number of services per conception decreased (P<0.05), but conception rate increased (P<0.05) in high energy diet. Moreover, buffaloes fed HP-HE diet showed the short periods from parturition to first estrus and first service, service period, days open...

Fifteen lactating buffalo cows were distributed into three equal groups according to their milk production, body weights and fed a ration containing 65% roughage and 35% concentrate. Control group (HCR) was offered a forage mixture of 40.75% berseem hay and 24.35% rice straw. Berseem hay and rice straw in the control ration were replaced by pea silage and corn silage at either 39.64 and 25.41% in group PCC1 or 20.88 and 44.06% in group PCC2, respectively, on dry matter basis. Criteria determined were digestibility coefficients, rumen parameters, blood constituents, milk yield, and milk composition.The present results show that most of the digestibility coefficients and nutritive values were significantly higher for PCC1 and PCC2 rations than HCR ration. Furthermore, ruminal VFA`s and ammonia-nitrogen concentrations for animals fed PCC1 and PCC2 rations were significantly higher than those fed HCR ration. However, the lowest value for ruminal pH was recorded PCC1 while the highest value was for HCR. Moreover, the molar proportion of acetic, propionic and butyric acids did not significantly differ between treatment groups, in spit of both of acetic and butyric acids were slightly higher for groups fed PCC1 and PCC2 rations compared to HCR ration. In addition, there were no significant differences between the groups in blood concentrations of haemoglobin, cholesterol, glucose, insulin and GPT. While blood serum protein, urea and GOT values were significantly higher in groups fed rations PCC1 and PCC2 compared to the control group. All blood parameters were significantly fluctuated during the experimental period, whereas Hb, cholesterol, glucose and insulin values were significantly declined but protein, urea and GPT concentrations increased with the progress of the lactation period. Concerning milk production, fat corrected milk (4% FCM), and fat, protein, lactose, total solids and solids not fat percentages as well as energy Mcal/kg milk, data indicated that the maximum values were obtained when berseem hay and rice straw in the control group were replaced by both pea silage and corn silage. Nevertheless, milk yield and ash percentage was not affected. On the other hand, milk yields, 4% FCM and its composition significantly changed through the experimental period. These data indicated that Inclusion of both pea tops and corn silages in the animal rations increased FCM yield and decreased feed cost/kg FCM.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of varying pre- and postpartum DCAD diets on serum total calcium, ionized calcium, blood and ruminal fluid metabolites, and milk production in prepartum and postpartum Holstein cows. Fifty-four multiparous dry Brown Swiss cows n = 54, were enrolled in a completely randomized block experimental design at 29 days prior to expected parturition through 86 days in milk. A 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized. Three DCAD levels were fed precalving (0, -120 and − 200 mEq/kg DM, n = 18 cows per treatment) and two DCAD levels were fed post calving (+ 200 and + 400 mEq/kg DM, n = 27 cows per treatment). Prepartum urine pH was lower for cows fed − 200 DCAD compared with those fed − 120 or 0 DCAD. Postpartum urine pH was higher for cows fed + 400 mEq/kg compared to cows fed + 200 mEq/kg DCAD. Prepartum serum total calcium, ionized calcium, and hydroxyproline was highest for cows fed − 200 DCAD compared to those fed − 120 and 0 DCAD. Parathyroid hormone was highest for cows fed 0 DCAD compared to those fed − 120 and − 200 DCAD. Prepartum dry matter intake (DMI) was lower for − 200 and − 120 DCAD compared with 0 DCAD. Postpartum DMI was not different among treatments. Pre- and postpartum DCAD treatments did not affect total milk yield or milk fat, but percentage of milk protein increased in cows fed the negative prepartum DCAD treatments.

he current work was carried out to investigate the effect of bee pollen (BP) and black seeds (BS) as natural additives on performance of early weaning Friesian calves. Twenty-four newly born Friesian calves (12 males and 12 females) with average live body weight of 31 ± 0.26 kg were suckled their dam's colostrum for three days and divided into six similar groups (2 males and 2 females in each group) according to their live body weight and month of birth. The experimental period lasted 180 days over three consecutive periods (60 days each). All claves were fed a basal diet consisted of whole milk, calf starter and fresh berseem during suckling period and on calf starter and fresh berseem during 1 st post weaning period or concentrate feed mixture, berseem hay and rice straw during 2 nd post weaning period. Group1 given their diet without any additives and served as control, while G2 and G3 groups were supplemented with 5 or 10g BP/head/day in their diets, respectively. While, the diets of G4 and G5 were supplemented with 5 or 10 g BS/head/day, respectively. Lastly, G6 group was supplemented with 2.5 g BP + 2.5 g BS/head/day. Results showed that BP and BS additives improved significantly (P<0.05) the digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE as well as feeding values (TDN and DCP) during the different experimental periods, where, the high level (10 g) of both two additives showed significantly the highest (P<0.05) values. Ruminal pH value and ammonia-N concentration were significantly lower (P<0.05), while, TVFA's concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in rumen liquor at the higher levels of additives (G3 and G5) But, there were no significantly differences among G1, G2, G4 and G6. Ruminal pH value tended to decrease while, the concentrations of TVFA's and NH3-N increased with advancing age. Likewise, the intake of DM, CP, TDN and DCP were significantly higher (P<0.05) in G3 and G5 compared to the other groups. Calves in G3 and G5 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest live body weight, total weight gain and average daily gain followed by calves in G2, G4 and G6, whereas those in G1 had the lowest values during the different periods. The BP and BS additives significantly improved (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio for DM, CP, TDN and DCP per kg live body gain. Effectively the diets G3 and G5 showed the highest total revenue and net revenue compared to other groups. From these results, it could be concluded that both BP and BS additives at the level of 10 g/head/day for Friesian calves during suckling and post weaning periods improved the digestibility, feeding values, rumen fermentation activity, growth performance, feed conversion and economic efficiency.