NR 10. Evaluation of Gliricidia sepium tree as feed for dairy cows
Abstract
To evaluate Gliricidia sepium tree with lactating cows, a study was conducted at La Fría, north of Tachira state, Venezuela, with average annual temperature of 26.9 ºC and 2.651 masl with a latitude 08º 13´08¨ and a lenght 72º 14´54¨. Twentyfive dairy cows divided in 5 groups were used, with average production and lactation length of 4 L/d and 3 months respectively. The treatments were: T0, 0 Gliricidia sepium forage (GsF); T1, 1.5 kg GsF; T2, 2 kg GsF; T3, 3 kg GsF and T4, 4 kg GsF respectively. Milk was weighed weekely by 90 days. Treatments T2, T3 and T4 were greater than T0 and T1 (P < .05). It is concluded that Gliricidia sepium forage utilization over 2 kg/d/cow are enough for increase milk production.