Study on Cattle Management and Effect of Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) on Milk Yield of Local and Graded Cows at Narayangonj District in Bangladesh-a Survey

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of water hyacinth as a source of roughage on milk production and feed intake as well as to know the cattle management system at Narayangong district in Bangladesh. A total of 92 cows (58 graded and 34 improved local) were selected from 23 different small holders' and local and graded cows were grouped into three according to their body weight such as for local cows: group A (100 kg to 125 kg), group B (125 kg to 140 kg) and group C (140 kg to 150 kg) and for graded cows: group A (130 kg to 140 kg), group B (140 kg to 150 kg) and group C (150 kg to 180 kg). Each of the animals was supplied concentrates at amount of 3.0 kg per day. Untreated straw, untreated straw and water hyacinth (1:1) and fresh water hyacinth was supplied to group A, group B and group C respectively. Milk production was significantly (P<0.01) increased by both local and graded cows when water hyacinth was supplied to the animals as a source of roughage. Whereas, only local cows showed increased (P<0.05) milk production when untreated straw was provided, this could be due to the ability of local cows to utilize rice straw efficiently. The results of the present study revealed that substitution of rice straw by water hyacinth can increase milk production since it increases feed intake. Considering cattle management system, ninety percent (90%) of the cows were inseminated artificially under proper hygienic condition and thirty seven percent (37%) of the total cows were milch per farm.