Effects of Total Mixed Fiber as Roughage Source on Reproduction Efficiency in Replacement Dairy Heifers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of total mixed fiber as roughage source on reproduction efficiency in replacement dairy heifers. A completely randomized design was employed in 87.5% Holstein Friesian crossbred replacement dairy heifers. A total of 63 cows were divided into 3 groups with 3 replications each, each of which contained 7 cows. The initial body weights of all heifers averaged 289.41 ± 10.54 kg and the feeding period was 90 days. There were 3 feeding groups: group I was given sweet corn waste, rice straw and concentrate at 10, 3, 3 kg/head/day, respectively (T1; control group); group II was fed with TMF, rice straw and concentrate at 8, 2, 3 kg/head/day, respectively (T2); and group III received TMF and concentrate at 14, 2 kg/head/day, respectively (T3). All cows were fed on concentrate with 14% CP throughout the whole period. The results revealed that total dry matter intakes averaged 7.33 ± 0.01, 6.55 ± 0.01 and 5.36 ± 0.01 kg DM/head/day; and was equivalent to body weight percentages of 2.54 ± 0.01, 2.27 ± 0.01 and 1.86 ± 0.01%, respectively (P<0.01). The total protein intakes were found to be 0.64, 0.64 and 0.58 kg DM/head/day, respectively (P<0.01). The first estruses after trial commencement were found to be 30.34 ± 5.20, 39.60 ± 5.22 and 19.24 ± 5.17 days in the three groups, respectively (P<0.05). It was found that the percentages of no estrus were found to be 23.81 ± 4.64, 9.53 ± 4.63 and 9.53 ± 4.63% with the conception rates of 38.83 ± 11.06, 43.79 ± 11.11 and 61.27 ± 11.00%, respectively. Eventually, the pregnancy rates were found to be 27.52 ± 6.07, 29.98 ± 6.10 and 42.50 ± 6.04%, respectively (P>0.05). It was concluded in this study that TMF could be used as roughage source and could significantly increase the reproductive performance of replacement dairy heifers.