author(s)
MY Bhavsar, PR Pandya, Sarishti Katwal and PM Lunagariya

abstract
Effects of feeding oilseeds on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, feed efficiency and rumen fermentation characteristics in fifteen multiparous HF × Kankrej dairy cows were studied subjected to three feeding treatments viz., control (T1): TMR without oil seeds; T2: TMR with ground flax seeds @ 4.5 % and T3: TMR with ground rapeseed @ 4.5%. The experimental TMR were offered along with 15 kg green cereal fodder as per the guidelines of ICAR (2013) standards. The results revealed the DMI, CPI and TDNI were similar and within the normal range in all the groups with non-significant differences among the groups. While DCPI was found (P<0.05) higher by 13% in T3 group. The digestibility of DM, CP, NFE, CF, NDF, ADF, HC and cellulose did not reveal any change on account of dietary treatments. Only EED was (P<0.05) observed higher in T3 group by 11.56%. Similarly, the feed efficiency was also remained at par among the treatments. Ruminal pH, total nitrogen (N), soluble N, ammoniacal nitrogen, total volatile fatty acids and microbial protein synthesis were not affected by dietary treatments. However non protein nitrogen (NPN) was found (P<0.05) higher in T2 group, while T1 remained at par to both T2 and T3. It was concluded that oilseeds inclusion in diets of dairy cattle did not give any adverse effect on nutrient intake, its digestibility, feed efficiency and rumen fermentation.