Comparison of feeding urea-treated teff and barley straw based diets with hay based diet to crossbred dairy cows on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition and economic benefits

Six crossbred Boran x Friesian milking cows were used in a double Latin square design to study if urea-treated teff straw or urea-treated barley straw can replace hay in the diet of dairy cows. Feed intake, milk yield, milk composition and economic variables were used for the evaluation. As a result of urea treatment, crude protein (CP) content of teff and barley straws increased by 134% and 85% respectively and in vitro organic matter digestibility by 7.4% and 28%, respectively. Neutral detergent fibre and hemicellulose content of teff and barley straws was reduced, while acid detergent fibre and lignin increased. There was no significant difference in milk yield or milk composition due to the experimental diets. The diet with urea treated teff straw gave the highest daily net return. Urea treatment increased the nutritive value of teff and barley straw and these roughages can replace hay in the diet of dairy cows with no loss of milk yield or change in composition