The Use of Acacia (Acacia mangium) as Protein Source in Dairy Ration

Abstract

Sixteen Holstein - Friesien cows at 7^th month pregnancy were divided into four groups according to Completely Randomized Design to study the use of legume leaves (Acacia mangium) as protein source in dairy ration. They were then fed with Ruzi grass or urea treated ricestraw (ad libitum) together with 4 different concentrates ; concentrate with 8% soybean meal (control), with 12.5% leucaena, with 12.5% and 25% Acacia mangium. Through out the 120 days of lactating period, a slightly decrease in dry matter feed intake (kg/h/d) / was found by cows fed with concentrate contain 12.5% leucaena, 12.5% and 25% Acacia mangium respectively. Milk production 4% FCM decreased, according to concentrate feed from 7.82 to 6.97, 6.64 and 6.47 kg/h/d, respectively. Feed cost per 1 kg milk was 5.26 to 5.11, 5.20 and 5.44 Baht, whereas feed conversion ratio were slightly increased from 1.72 to 1.84, 1.91 and 1.98 respectively. Cow fed with concentrate plus leucaena had lowest feed cost per 1 kg milk and highest income per 1 kg milk. However total income after withdraw of feed cost was the higest by cows fed with concentrate plus soybean meal. Raw milk quality was not significant difference among the treatments.