Abstract:

A study was conducted in Masaka district to determine the response and profitabilityof crossbred
cows fed maize/lablab stover (ML) or elepk ant ^russ/forage legume Supplemented
were basel diets of either calliaudra leaf hay (CLH) and/or Icihiab hc '.y (Ltl) a"::< a homemade
concentrate (HMC). The results showed that cows fed EGL ?% 3 kg/<;(ty LH and 4 2 kg day?
HMC (Trt 1); EGL with 2 kg day1 LH, 1 kg day1 CUI and 4 kg day1 HMC (Trt 2); sole elephant
grass (sole EG) with ML, I kg/day CLH and 4 2 kg day1 HMC (Trt 3) increased (p<0.05) total dry
matter intake (TDMI) by 60, 61 and 73 percent compared to sole elephant grass (Trt 4) (7.0 kg
cow1 day'1). Average daily yveight gain (ADG) at 30 creeks postpartum was higher (p<0.05) 1.6,
1.5 and /. 9 times than cows on Trt 4 (129,2 g day1). Change in body condition score (from 8 weeks
prepartiun to 30 weeks postpartum) yvas lowest (p<0.0001) in cows on Trt 4 (-0.51) and highest
(+0.56) in cows on Trt 3. Mean daily milk yield increased (p<0.05) by 33; 40 and 61% in cows on
Trt 1, 2 and 5, respectively compared to cows on Trt 4 (6,7 Its-1 cow-1 day'1). Calving to conception
interval was shorter (p=0.05) in cows on Trt 7, 2, and 3 (79, 73 78 days, respectively) than in coy\^s
on Trt 4 (101.4 days). The returns to investment per extra Ushs 1,000 spent cis cost due to treatment
wos Ushs 1,175; 1,435 and 2,967 for Trt /, 2 and 3, respectively. Based on results of the study, it
wos recommended that in order to cope with a shortage of feeds during the dry season, ML forages
fed in addition to sole EG and supplemented with 1 kg day1 CLH and 4 kg/day HMC (Trt 3) were
superior to EGL based diets. This was associated with a total DMI, milk yield, ADG, a calving to
conception interval and a return to investment of 12,1 kg day'1; 10.8 litre1
cow^day'1, 247.5 g/day,
78 days and Ushs 2,967, respectively. The study showed that the small fields earmarked for food
and fodder production do not offer space to produce lablab hay in large quantities.