The effect of feed supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of nomadic dairy herds under range condition of Kordofan state, Sudan

Two experiments were done in north Kordofan state to evaluate the effect of concentrate supplementation on productive and reproductive performance of grazing nomadic Fuga cows during different periods of the year. In the first experiment 36 cows were selected from nomadic herd. Animals were divided at random into three groups, group So-G was supplemented with a high-energy, high-protein feed, group So received a medium-energy medium-protein supplement, and group SB-RE received a low-energy lowprotein concentrate mixture. The trial was carried out during the late dry season. Results indicated that cows supplemented with So-G had the highest milk yield, highest body weight and body condition. In the second experiment, the same groups of animals used in the first experiment were mode used. They were supplemented with the same experimental rations as in the first experiment. . The trial was carried out after the rainy season, when the cows were at their mid-lactation The results obtained indicated differences in milk yield among the experimental groups. The progesterone profile showed variation in days from calving to ovulation and to conception within and between the experimental groups. The study also showed that cows supplemented with So-G and So conceived in shorter intervals.