Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mesfin, R., Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Getachew, A., Ethiopia Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A study was carried out to analyze and compare percentages of milk fat, protein, lactose and total solids content of Borana and Boran-Friesian crossbred dairy cows across seasons to evaluate the grazing management of dairy cows. The study was aimed to plan proper feeding strategies across seasons in line with feed supply situations of the grazing pastureland based on recommendations drawn from results of this study. Regardless of the effect of seasons, Boron cows showed higher percentage of milk fat, protein and total solids content than Friesian crossbred cows. However Friesian crossbred dairy cows showed higher content of milk lactose than local Borana cows. Highest milk fat content of Friesian crossbred dairy cows was observed in July to September and the lowest was in April to June. Highest milk fat, protein and total solids contents of local Borana cows were observed in October to December and the lowest in January to March. Friesian crossbred dairy cows had highest milk protein in July to September and the lowest in January to March. However milk lactose content of Borana and Boran-Friesian crossbred dairy cows did not differ across seasons. Milk total solids content of Boran-Friesian crossbred dairy cows was highest in July to September and the lowest in January to March. Milk fat and protein contents of Boran and Boran-Friesian crossbred dairy cows were higher in July to September and October to December as compared to rest of the seasons. Similarly total solids content of Boran cows was higher in July to September and October to December as compared to rest of the seasons. Feeding management should be planned and implemented to Borana and Boran-Friesian crossbred dairy cows across seasons independently. There is a need to properly feed dairy cows particularly in seasons when shortage of grazing land affects milk composition.