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Influence of green grass-based diets on growth and reproductive performance in dairy heifers

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to monitor the changes in growth, dry matter intake, and blood profiles (nutrition and reproductive hormones) of dairy heifers in response to green grass-based diets. Twelve crossbred heifers were equally divided into group 1: rice straw and concentrate; group 2: rice straw, green grass, and concentrate; group 3: green grass and concentrate; group 4: green grass, soybean hay, and concentrate. Dry matter intake in group 4 was found 6% higher (P < 0.05) than group 1. Negative body weight gain was found in group 1 and group 2 showed 14% higher body weight gain per 30 days compared to groups 3 and 4 (P < 0.05). Heifers in group 4 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher heart girth gain, serum albumin, urea, and blood urea nitrogen than the heifers in other groups. Endocrine parameters were found similar among groups. Overall, supply of green grass especially a mix of leguminous and non-leguminous was found advantageous in heifer feeding.

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Funding

The authors are grateful to the National Science and Technology fellowship, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, for providing NST fellowship to the first author for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dairy Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    M.R. Habib, M.H. Rashid & M.A. Islam

  2. Department of Agricultural Statistics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    S. Majumder

  3. Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh

    K.M.S. Islam

  4. Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh

    S. Ahmed

  5. Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh

    M.S. Alam

  6. Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Facultad de Agronomía e Ingeniería Forestal, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 306, C.P. 6904411, Santiago, Chile

    E. Vargas-Bello-Pérez

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  1. M.R. Habib
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  2. M.H. Rashid
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  3. M.A. Islam
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  4. S. Majumder
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  5. K.M.S. Islam
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  7. M.S. Alam
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  8. E. Vargas-Bello-Pérez
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Correspondence to E. Vargas-Bello-Pérez.

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Habib, M., Rashid, M., Islam, M. et al. Influence of green grass-based diets on growth and reproductive performance in dairy heifers. Trop Anim Health Prod 50, 889–895 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1514-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1514-x

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