Vol. 1, Issue 1, Part A (2019)

Different levels of energy feed supplemented and assessed for nutrient intake, milk yield, quality, and weight changes of cross-bred (Holstein Frisian× Boran) and indigenous Boran dairy cows. The experimental cows are with an average body weight of 439.55±10.41 kg and milk yield of 8.07±0.61 liter/ day; 250±1.71kg, and 2.21±0.42 liter/ day for cross-bred and Boran respectively. Treatment diets are T₁=1*metabolizable energy (ME), T₂=1.25*ME, T₃=1.5*ME, and T4=1.75*ME. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in milk yield, but no differences in milk composition. There was a significant difference in average body weight changes among treatments T1= -30.40±11.4; T3 and T4= -6.00±11.4 kg. However, there were no weight changes for cows fed on T₂. It can be concluded that treatment diets containing 1.5 * and 1.75 × ME intake increase milk yield by 11 % and 26% for cross-bred and, by 20% and 24% for indigenous Boran cows.