Effect of feeding tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed husk as a source of tannin on dry matter intake, digestibility of nutrients and production performance of crossbred dairy cows in mid-lactation

The effect of feeding tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed husk (TSH) as a source of tannin on dry matter intake (DMI), digestibility, N balance, milk yield and milk composition was studied in crossbred dairy cows in mid-lactation. The study included lactation and metabolism trials. The lactation trial was conducted using nine multiparous cows in mid-lactation in a switchback design. The cows were divided into three groups of three each. The animals of Group I (GP-1) received a compounded feed mixture (CFM) without tamarind seed husk (control group), Group II (GP-II) CFM with 2.5% TSH and Group III (GP-III) CFM with 7.5% TSH. The duration of the trial was 18 weeks, each period lasting for six weeks. The diet consisted of finger millet straw (FMS) and CFM. The difference among the groups in DMI, milk yield, milk fat, solid not fat (SNF) and lactose was not significant (p > 0.05). The DOMD of the diets was similar. There was significant difference in body weight gain (p < 0.05) and milk protein content (p < 0.07) between GP-I and GP-III. Although there were significant differences among the groups in faecal N (p < 0.05) and urinary N (p < 0.01) excretion, the nitrogen balance was similar. There was significant (p < 0.05) difference among the three groups in CP digestibility, whereas the digestibility of other nutrients are similar. It may be concluded that TSH tannin at low concentration has beneficial effect on the performance of crossbred lactating cows. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.