Feeding tropical dairy cattle with local protein and energy sources for sustainable production

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high protein feed (Hipro-feed) formulated with carbohydrate source in concentrate mixture on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk performance of lactating cows fed Ruzi grass. Sixty cross-bred dairy cows (75% Holstein–Friesian and 25% Thai cows) in mid-lactation, 390 ± 50.0 kg body weight, 85 ± 5 days in milk with daily milk production of 10 ± 2.0 kg/day, were selected from 15 smallholder dairy farms and assigned according to a randomized complete block design. Four cows per farm were subjected to two groups to receive dietary treatments: Formulation I = control formula used by farmers and Formulation II = Mixed carbohydrate source + Hipro-feed (48% crude protein). The results showed that cows that received Formulation II had higher total feed intake and nutrient digestibility (P