Dietary Supplementation of Urea Molasses Mineral Block for Enhancing Productive Performance of Dairy Cows

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of supplemental urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) in crossbred cows fed paddy straw-based diet to assess its efficacy on productive performance of lactating cows and enhanced income by farm women in rural areas. In an organized dairy farm, fourteen crossbred cows were randomly divided into two groups (T1 and T2) consisting of seven animals each based on body weight (455±10.55 kg) and milk yield (7.2±0.78 kg). Animals were fed homemade concentrate mixture and paddy straw (40:60). An additional supplementation of block @300 g was offered in animals in T2. Feed intake, milk yield, milk composition was recorded at fortnight intervals in a 3-month lactation trial. Daily DM intake through concentrate and roughage was similar. The milk yield and 4% FCM yield were higher by 16.8% and 20.2%, respectively in supplemented group of animals. The milk constituents viz. fat, SNF and TS were also increased (P