THE EFFECT OF SURGE FEEDING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF ONGOLE CROSSBRED (PO) COWS

Abstract

ong calving interval and high calf mortality, are common in Indonesia. In this study,
surge feeding was applied in order to improve reproductive perfomwnce of Bos Indicus. Forty mature cows (pregnant) were devided into 2 groups of 20 cows of either of the group were subjective to surge feeding immediately afier calving birth for maximum of 90 days. The supplement used was a mixture of tree legume leaves consisting of Gliricidia, Leucaena and Callia.ndra while chopped Elephant grass was used as the basal diet. Within 90 days post-partum, cows retumed to nomial oestrus were 89% and 29% for treated and control respectively (P<.01). First oestms post-partum interval were shorter (P<.01) for surge feeding group than control group, 67 days and 113 days respectively. Calving intervals shorten (P<.01) for surge feeding group than control group, 374 days and 491 days respectively. Milk production was increased (P<.01) with surge feeding than control group, 3.3 kg/head/clay and 2,5kg/head/day respectively. Changes in body weight, body condition, utenis-involution and ovarium activity are discussed.