Abstract
$Holstein\;{\times}\;indigenous$ multiparous dairy cows were offered diets with increasing roughage neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents to determine the effects on intake, milk yield and compositions. Roughage NDF contents were 15, 18, 21 and 24% dry matter (DM), and concentrate NDF content was 10% DM. Experimental treatments were isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. Maximum and minimum temperature humidity index during the experimental period were 85.9 and 76, respectively. Intakes of DM, crude protein and net energy, 4% fat corrected milk, milk protein and average daily gain decreased with increasing roughage NDF contents (p<0.05). Intakes of ether extract (p<0.01) and dietary NDF (p>0.05) and milk fat (p<0.01) increased with increasing roughage NDF contents. The results support the conclusion that higher DM intake, optimal milk yield and compositions can be maintained with lower roughage NDF diets for dairy cows under tropical conditions.