• Alemayehu Arega
• Girma Debele

The effect of feeding different energy and protein levels during the transition period on DMI, production performance of Indigenous Arsi cows in early lactations, birth weight of their calves and profitability were evaluated at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center. Twenty-four Indigenous Arsi breed cows with an initial body weight of 176.8 ± 22.26 kg (mean ± SD) were used for the experiment. The animals were selected from the nucleus herd in the center and assigned randomly to one of the four dietary treatments in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The animals were fed on their respective diet for 60 days. The dietary rations were formulated based NRC, 2001 recommendation for dairy cows. The dietary treatments were: T1= 100 % NRC requirement of net energy and 100% NRC requirement of crude protein, T2 =100 % NRC requirement of net energy and 80 % NRC requirement of crude protein, T3= 100 % NRC requirement of crude protein and 80% NRC requirement of net energy and T4 = 80% NRC requirement of net energy and 80% NRC requirement of crude protein. Feed intake and body weight were measured and recorded daily and every 15 days, respectively. Birth weights of the calves were measured immediately after calving. The result indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatments in average daily and final BW gains and in FCE of the experimental animals. Similarly, there was no significant difference among treatments in daily feed intake of the experimental animals both before and after calving. On the other hand, a significant difference was observed among the treatments in birth weight of the calves. Calves born from cows fed on the experimental diets of treatment three and two were the heaviest. The result of this study indicated that the highest net return (5117 ETB/cow) was obtained from experimental animals in treatment four followed by those in treatments two and three. The total variable cost increased as the level of protein increased across the treatments. With regard to improved birth weight of calves, treatments two and three are recommended. From the partial budget analysis, treatment four resulted in the highest net return and hence advised for additional interventions. In general, all the supplements utilized in this study produced good average daily gains and positive net returns indicating that they can be used to supplement various energy and protein amounts during transition period.

Arsi cows, Transition period, Weight gain, Birth weight

"Effects of feeding energy and protein levels during the transition period on production performance of Arsi cows and Birth weight of their crossbred calves at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 6, page no.j592-j601, June-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2406962.pdf

"Effects of feeding energy and protein levels during the transition period on production performance of Arsi cows and Birth weight of their crossbred calves at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 6, page no. ppj592-j601, June-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2406962.pdf