Effect of feeding baled and stacked urea treated rice straw on the performance of crossbred cows

Crossbred dairy cows (2–4 lactations) in three groups (4 in each group) were fed with rations containing (1) untreated rice straw ad libitum plus 1 kg concentrate supplement, (2) urea treated (4% urea; 50% moisture) rice straw stored in stack for 14 days, and (3) urea treated paddy straw compressed as bales and stored for 14 days. Extra concentrate supplement was offered to meet the production requirements. A 90 day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect on the quantity and quality of milk yield. During the last week of the experiment, a digestion trial was conducted to assess voluntary intake and digestibility. The voluntary feed intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher on urea treated rice straw rations stored either as stack or bale compared to the untreated rice straw ration. The digestibility coefficients of organic matter, protein and fibre were significantly (P<0.05) higher on urea treated rice straw rations compared to untreated rice straw ration. Significantly (P<0.01) higher digestible protein and total digestible nutrients were recorded in rations containing either stacked or baled urea treated rice straw. Milk yield and FCM yield were comparable for all the rations. However, the cost of feeding per kg FCM yield significantly (P<0.05) lower on rations containing urea treated rice straw.