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Development Of Feeding Strategies For Cows In Small Scale Dairy Farming Systems In The Highlands Of Central Mexico By A Simulation Model And On Farm Experiments: Development Of A Novel Framework

135 Views Length: 30:33 Development Of Feeding Strategies For Cows In Small Scale Dairy Farming Systems In The Highlands Of Central Mexico By A Simulation Model And On Farm Experiments: Development Of A Novel Framework.


Octavio A. Castelán-Ortega, Virgilio… Development Of Feeding Strategies For Cows In Small Scale Dairy Farming Systems In The Highlands Of Central Mexico By A Simulation Model And On Farm Experiments: Development Of A Novel Framework.


Octavio A. Castelán-Ortega, Virgilio Ambriz-Vilchis, Julieta G. Estrada-Flores, Martha Hernández-Ortega, María de los Angeles Rojas-Garduño,

Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias y Rurales de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México. Instituto Literario # 100, CP 50000. Toluca, Estado de México, México, Email: oaco2002@yahoo.com.mx


The Small Scale Dairy Farming Systems (SSDFS) contributes to maintain the rural environment and livelihoods in the highlands of central Mexico. However, their viability is compromised due to the high costs of feeds and the deficient feeding strategies used by producers. Models in animal production are important tools for decision making. The aim of the present work was to create a methodological framework for using a model, as a decision support tool, to develop alternative feeding strategies for cows in SSDFS in the highlands of central Mexico. Local and alternative feeding strategies were simulated (900 feeding strategies). The Buttercup model (BCM) predictions were compared with those reported in a previous work for calibration. Deficiencies in the local feeding strategies were identified in terms of metabolizable protein (MP), so alternative feeding strategies were then designed by the use of the simulation model in order to cover these deficiencies by concentrate supplementation. Three concentrates, (C1= maize grain 610, soybean meal 310, urea 30, and cane molasses 50g kg-1 DM, C2= maize grain 630, soybean meal 320 and cane molasses 50g kg-1 DM, and C3= maize grain 900, urea 50 and cane molasses 50g kg-1 DM), were developed to meet the MP and metabolizable energy (ME) requirements, afterwards the three concentrates were evaluated through on farm experiments in terms of the productive response of dairy cattle when fed them. Mod ... More