A note on protein requirement of friesian cows for maintenance in a tropical environment

Abstract

Four dry non pregnant Friesian cows averagely weighing 376 ±19.2kg were in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. assigned to four dietary treatments: (A) hay (Digitaria ezilis), (B) hay plus brewers dried grains. (C) brewers dried grains plus 5% molasses and (D) brewers dried grains plus 10% molasses, to assess the protein requirement for maintenance. The mean metabolic faecal nitrogen (MFN) and endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN) values were 0.361 ± 0.022g/100g DM intake and 0.079 ± 0.024g/day /W^0.75kg respectively. The mean biological values (BV) were 53.5 72.4, 58.4 and 58.l for treatments A, B. C and D. These MFN. EUN and BV values facilitated the use of factorial equation, which gave average daily digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement for maintenance as l .45g/W^0.75 kg (0.94 - 2.85).

Key words: Protein requiremr:nts maintenance. Friesian, Tropical environment.