ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the effect of using silage made from mixtures of different levels of Egyptian clover and Panicum mombasa on daily matter intake (DMI), rumen and some blood parameters, milk yield, (composition and quality), productive performance and economic efficiency for lactatingZarabi goats.A feeding trial that lasted 90 days was carried out on thirty-five lactating Zaraibi goats, averaged postpartum live body weight 37.85 kg and aged 3-4 years as well as in the number of birth kids (twin) were divided into five similar groups (Seven animals each) according to their ages and weights. Each animal group was randomly fed on the following experimental rations: G1 (control ration): consisted of 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) + 50% berseem silage (BS); G2: 50% CFM + 25% BS + 25% Panicum mombasa silage (PMS); G3: 50% CFM+ 12.5% BS+ 37.5% PMS; G4: 50% CFM+ 37.5% BS+ 12.5% PMS and G5 : 50% CFM+ 50% PMS. The experimental rations were formulated to cover maintenance and production allowance according to NRC (2007). Results showed that the highest significantly values (P<0.05) in chemical composition of experimental ratios were noticed in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) and organic matter (OM) in G5. The lowest significantly values (P<0.05) of percentages of crude fiber (CF) and ash were recorded in the ration G5 . The highest values of DM, OM, CP, ether extract (EE) and NFE and the lowest percentage of CF and ash were observed in the ration G3 (with the exception of G5 treatment). The highest significantly values (P<0.05) of averages as daily matter intake (DMI) were recorded for animals fed on G2, G4 and G3 while the animals of groups ( G1 & G5) recorded the lowest values . Using the different ensiled mixtures of PM with BS had no significantly effect on pH values (with the exception of G4 which had slightly higher value ), while NH3- N appeared to have significantly (P<0.05) higher concentration. Also, it resulted in higher microbial protein compared with animals fed on BS or PMS alone (G1 or G5) , moreover it had no significantly effect on the total VFA's concentrations for rations G2, G3 and G4, respectively
All measured blood parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin, urea-N, glucose, and creatinine) and physiological parameters were not significantly affected by the different experimental rations.
The actual dairy milk yield was significant (P<0.05) higher with tested rations G2 and G3 followed by G4 and G1 than that of G5. The milk components were not significantly affected by the different experimental rations, except milk fat content which increased significantly (P<0.05) in groups 2, 3, 4. No significant differences in the titratable acidity, pH values and physical properties were observed among the five treatments of experimental rations. The sum of saturated fatty acids (SFA) was found highest in G2 treatment followed by G3, G4, G1 and G5, in a descending order. The sum of unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) was found highest in G5 treatment and lowest in G2 treatment. The ratio of SFA/USFA was highest in G3& G2, than the others.