Studies on Quality and Feeding Value of Maize + Cowpea Silage

Abstract

Maize is a promising fodder crop of kharif season and most suitable for silage making. It contains relatively high amount of fermentable carbohydrates and low crude protein content. Crude protein can be increased either by the addition of urea or by mixing with leguminous fodder crops. Addition of urea (1 per cent fresh basis) to maize fodder had no beneficial effect on dry matter intake and utilization of silage by cross-bred calves. It was observed that the sorghum + cowpea silage prepared in the ratio of 2 : 1 provided the maintenance need of the animals but required protein supplementation for milk production.