Objective

To evaluate the effect of Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.), B.K.Simon & Jacobs, cultivars Agrosavia Sabanera and Tanzania, on the milk production and composition of crossbred Gyr x Holstein and Costeño con Cuernos cows in the dry Caribbean of Colombia.

Materials and Methods

The effect of M. maximus, cultivars Agrosavia Sabanera (T1) and Tanzania (T2, control), on the milk production and composition (concentration and production of total solids, protein, fat) of Gyr x Holstein (E1) and Costeño con Cuernos (E2) cows, was analyzed. The study was conducted in the Codazzi municipality, Cesar department. In each experiment four animals in early lactation were used, in order to analyze the effect of the animal and cultivar. For such purpose, a simple crossover experimental design was applied.

Results

In the two experiments there was no significant difference in milk production with the evaluated treatments. In experiment 1, the concentration of total solids in the milk was higher (12,6 vs 12,2 %) with the cultivar Agrosavia Sabanera with regards to Tanzania (p < 0,05); while, in E2, the milk composition of the cows Costeño con Cuernos, did not vary with one or the other cultivar.

Conclusions

The two breed groups of cows had similar milk production with the two cultivars. Nevertheless, it improved the concentration of total solids in the milk with Agrosavia Sabanera, in the Gyr x Holstein cows.

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