Comparative Study on Effect of Hydroponic Fodders (Maize, Oat and Wheat) on Milk Yield and Milk Composition in Jersey Crossbred Cattle

Abstract

This study looked at the effect of hydroponic maize, oat and wheat fodder on milk yield and milk quality in Jersey crossbred cows. The trial was done at the Dairy Unit, BAC Farm, Sabour, Bhagalpur. Eighteen healthy Jersey crossbred cows of similar age and milk yield were divided into four groups. One group was the control (n = 5) and got only the routine diet. Three groups got hydroponic fodder in addition to the routine diet: maize (T1, n = 5), oat (T2, n = 5) and wheat (T3, n = 5). Each cow in the treated groups got 10 kg fresh hydroponic fodder every day. The trial ran for 90 days. All cows were kept under the same conditions, and milk records were taken every day. The average daily milk yield was 5.2 L in the control group. It rose to 6.4 L in the maize group, 7.3 L in the oat group and 6.1 L in the wheat group. The oat group gave the highest milk yield. Milk fat was highest in the wheat group (4.60%). Oat gave the highest lactose (4.71%) and SNF (8.31%). The lowest somatic cell count (1.70 lakh cells/ml) was seen in the wheat group. Cows readily ate the hydroponic fodder and showed good feeding behaviour. The results show that hydroponic fodder, mainly hydroponic oat, can raise milk yield while keeping milk quality good in Jersey crossbred cows.