An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of pre and post-partum concentrate supplementation on milk yield, milk composition and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows. Forty eight cows were involved in the study, and were divided into three groups according to concentrate supplementation. The first treatment (HMR-PPP) was fed 4 kg/day home-made ration during pre-and post-partum period. Treatment HMR-PP and MB-PP were fed 4 kg/day home-made ration and maize bran, respectively during the first 24 weeks of lactation. Pasture samples were collected from the grazing area for chemical and digestibility tests. A total of 288 milk samples were collected at monthly intervals and analysed for butter fat, solids not fat and total solid. Days from calving to first insemination (CFSI), calving to conception interval (CCI), number of services per conception (NSC) and calving interval (CI) were calculated based on farm records. General Linear Models were used to analyse the data.
The overall crude protein (CP), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD0 percentages of the pasture were 5.7±0.30, 41.9±0.22 and 44.4±0.27, respectively and varied between seasons. The overall mean milk yield was 6.5±0.10 litres/day. Cows supplemented with home-made ration during pre and post-partum had the highest (p<0.05) milk yield followed by post-partum supplemented cows with home-made ration. The overall mean CFSI, CCI, NSC and CI were 96.1±0.02 days, 129.8±6.92days, 1.74 ±0.01and 410.2±0.00 days, respectively. Concentrate supplementation before calving increased milk yield but did not affect milk composition and reproductive performance of lactating cows.