• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.281-287
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• 1995

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of different inclusion levels of urea treated whole-crop wheat silage (UWCWS) in grass silage based rations on the performance of growing beef cattle. The winter wheat (variety, Riband) was harvested (in the summer of 1991) at a dry matter proportion of 520 g/kg and treated with feed grade urea at the rate of 37 kg/tonne crop dry matter and preserved in a heavy duty plastic bag using a silo press. The urea treated whole crop wheat silage (UWCWS) was mixed with grass silage to replace 0.00 (S100), 0.33 (S33) and 0.67 (S67) parts of the forage dry matter and fed ad libitum in a cross over design to 18 Simmental X Holstein Friesian growing beef animals. Two energy sources {one high in starch, rolled barley (RB) and one high in digestible fibre, sugar beet pulp (SBP)} were fed to supply sufficient energy for the efficient use of nitrogen by the rumen micro-organisms. The data on DMIF (dry matter intake of forage), TDMI (total dry matter intake), DLWG (daily live weight gain), FCR (feed conversion ratio) were recorded and faecal samples were collected to determine the digestibility coefficients. Results revealed that with the inclusion of UWCW in the animals' diets the DMI of the forage was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The highest DMIF was found in the treatment "S33" ($6.28{\pm}0.25kg$) where 67% of the silage dry matter was replaced with the UWCW and the lowest value for DMIF was observed in the control treatment ($5.03{\pm}0.23kg$). The DLWG did not differ significantly between the treatments. However, treatment "S100" showed a trend towards a superior DLWG. Feed conversion ratio in the control treatment differed significantly from "S67" and "S33". The addition of the UWCW in the animals' diet resulted in the lower FCR There was no effect of type of energy supplement on any aspect of performance either overall or in interaction with grass silage: UWCWS ratio. The regression and correlation coefficients for DMIF (r = 5.22 + 0.0184x*), DLWG (r = $1.04-0.00086x^{NS}$) and FCR (r = 4.78 = 0.022x*) on the inclusion of UWCW in the diet were calculated. The effect of the inclusion of UWCW on the overall digestibility coefficients was significant (p < 0.05). The addition of the UWCWS in the diet decreased the digestibility of the DM, OM, ADF and NFE but effect on the protein digestibility was non significant. The results of present study suggests that a DLWG slightly over 1 kg can be achieved with UWCW during the store period (period in which animal performance targets are low especially during winter) and the prediction of ME was overestimated as the high intake of DM did not reflect in improved animal performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2009

The objective was to determine the effects of supplementation of protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), CLA-20 comprising 10% each of cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12, on milk production and fatty acid profiles in plasma and milk in lactating dairy cows. Five mid-lactation, multiparous crossbred Holstein Friesian cows with average 402${\pm}$20 kg BW were used in a 5${\times}$5 Latin square design for 21-d periods. Cows were given a total mixed ration (TMR) and supplemented with CLA-20 at 0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 g/d. The results showed that dry matter intake depression occurred in cows supplemented with CLA-20 at 160 g/d. Milk production slightly increased when CLA-20 supplementation was at 20, 40 and 80 g/d. However, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM) was not affected by CLA-20 supplementation. Increased levels of CLA-20 supplementation resulted in a significantly decreased percentage of milk fat. Plasma concentrations of fatty acid were not altered by the amounts of CLA-20 supplementation except for the concentration of trans-10, cis-12 CLA. For all dietary treatments, percentages of fatty acids (C4:0, C6:0, C8:0, C13:0, C14:0 C14:1 C15:0 C15:1 C16:0, C16:1, C18:1n9t, C18:2n6t, C18:2n6c, C20:0, C18:3n6, C18:3n3, C20:1 and C20:3n6) in milk fat were similar. Concentrations of C10:0, C11:0, C12:0 and C18:1n9c were decreased cubically and C18:0 was elevated linearly (p<0.01) according to the increased amounts of CLA-20 supplemented. The linear increase was observed for cis-9, trans-11 CLA (0.62, 1.17, 1.94, 1.87 and 1.82% of total fatty acid), trans-10, cis-12 CLA (0.01, 0.63, 0.67, 0.93 and 0.95% of total fatty acid) and total CLA (0.80, 2.25, 3.16, 3.97 and 3.94% of total fatty acid) in milk fat from 0 to 160 g/d of CLA-20 supplement. In conclusion, concentration of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in milk fat was concomitantly elevated at an increasing rate with the increased amounts of CLA-20. Based on the results in this study, supplementation of CLA-20 at 80 g/d optimally enhanced total CLA in milk fat.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1364-1373
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• 2012

Four crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) lactating dairy cows, with an average live weight of $418{\pm}5$ kg and $36{\pm}10$ d in milk were randomly assigned according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to evaluate the effects of cassava hay (CH) and rice bran oil (RBO) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk composition. Factor A was non-supplementation or supplementation with CH in the concentrate. Factor B was supplementation with RBO at 0% or 4% in the concentrate mixture. The four dietary treatments were (T1) control (Concentrate with non-CH plus 0% RBO; C), (T2) Concentrate with CH plus 0% RBO (CH), (T3) Concentrate with non-CH plus 4% RBO (RBO), and (T4) Concentrate with CH plus 4% RBO (CHRBO). The cows were offered concentrate, at a ratio of concentrate to milk production of 1:2, and urea-lime treated rice straw was fed ad libitum. Urea-lime treated rice straw involved 2.5 g urea and 2.5 g $Ca(OH)_2$ (purchased as hydrated lime) in 100 ml water, the relevant volume of solution was sprayed onto a 100 g air-dry (91% DM) straw, and then covering the stack with a plastic sheet for a minimum of 10 d before feeding directly to animals. The CH based concentrate resulted in significantly higher roughage intake and total DM intake expressed as a percentage of BW (p<0.05). Ruminal pH, $NH_3$-N, BUN and total VFA did not differ among treatments, while RBO supplementation increased propionate, but decreased acetate concentration (p<0.05). Furthermore, the population of total ruminal bacteria was significantly lower on the RBO diet (p<0.05). In contrast, the total ruminal bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria on the CH diet were higher than on the other treatments. Supplementation with CH increased (p<0.05) F. succinogens and R. flavefaciens populations, whereas the populations of B. fibrisolvens and M. elsdenii were increased on the RBO diet. In addition, supplementation with CH and RBO had no effect on milk production and composition in dairy cows, while fatty acid composition of milk was influenced by RBO supplementation, and resulted in significantly lower (p<0.05) concentrations of both short-chain and medium-chain FA, and increased (p<0.05) the proportion of long-chain FA in milk fat, as well as significantly increased cis-9, trans-11 CLA and total CLA. In conclusion, RBO or CH exhibited specific effects on DMI, rumen fermentation, microbial population, milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cows, which were not interactions between CH and RBO in the diets. Feeding lactating dairy cows with RBO could improve fatty acid in milk fat by increasing cis-9, trans-11 CLA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1554-1561
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• 2014

Present study analyzed the changes in peripheral blood testosterone concentrations and testicular cytogram in relation to age and semen quality in crossbred males. Three different age groups of crossbred males viz. bull calves (6 months, n = 5), young bulls (15 months, n = 5) and adult bulls (4 to 6 years, n = 8) were utilized for the study. Testicular fine needle aspiration cytology technique was used to quantify testicular cytology and their indices. Peripheral blood testosterone concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Semen samples collected from adult bulls were microscopically evaluated for quality parameters. Mean peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves, young bulls and adult bulls were $2.28{\pm}0.09ng/mL$, $1.42{\pm}0.22ng/mL$ and $5.66{\pm}1.08ng/mL$ respectively, and that in adult bulls were significantly different (p<0.01) from young bulls and bull calves. There was no significant difference between the proportion of different testicular cells in bull calves and young bulls. Between young and adult bulls, significant differences (p<0.01) were observed in the proportion of spermatocytes, spermatozoa, and sperm: Sertoli cell ratio. The proportions of Sertoli cells showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between the three age groups. The number of primary spermatocytes had a positive correlation with peripheral blood testosterone concentrations in bull calves (r = 0.719, p<0.01). Number of Sertoli cells per 100 germ cells was negatively correlated with blood testosterone concentration in young bulls (r = -0.713, p<0.01). Among different semen parameters in adult bulls, ejaculate volume (r = 0.790, p<0.05) had positive relationship, and sperm motility had significant negative correlation (r = -0.711, p<0.05) with testosterone concentrations. The number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index had a positive correlation with various semen quality parameters (p<0.001). Results of the present study conclude that number of Sertoli cells and Sertoli cell index are good indicators of semen quality, but peripheral blood testosterone concentrations may not have a direct relationship with various seminal attributes in crossbred bulls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1712-1720
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• 2012

We investigated the effect of the amount of body condition loss in the dry period and early lactation in 42 high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cows on milk yield and the share of fatty acids in milk fat. Energy reserves were estimated based on the body condition scoring (BCS) and backfat thickness (BFT). Milk yield and milk composition were determined over 305-d lactation. From d 6 to 60 of lactation, the concentrations of 43 fatty acids in milk fat were determined by gas chromatography. Cows were categorized based on body condition loss from the beginning of the dry period to the lowest point of the BCS curve in early lactation into three groups: low condition loss group (L) ${\leq}0.5$ points (n = 14); moderate condition loss group (M) 0.75 to 1.0 points (n = 16) and high condition loss group (H) >1.0 points (n = 12). Cows whose body energy reserves were mobilized at 0.8 BCS and 11 mm BFT, produced 12,987 kg ECM over 305-d lactation, i.e. 1,429 kg ECM more than cows whose BCS and BFT decreased by 0.3 and 5 mm, respectively. In group H, milk yield reached 12,818 kg ECM at body fat reserve mobilization of 1.3 BCS and 17 mm BFT. High mobilization of body fat reserves led to a significant (approx. 5%) increase in the concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids-MUFA (mostly $C_{18:1}$ cis-9, followed by $C_{18:1}$ trans-11), a significant decrease in the levels of fatty acids adversely affecting human health, and a drop in the content of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in milk fat. In successive weeks of lactation, an improved energy balance contributed to a decrease in the concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and an increase in the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of milk fat.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.139-163
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• 1993

Background: It has been well established and is now no longer a controversial issue that ischemia produces a series of inflammatory reactions and the ischemic myocardium cannot survive without adequate restoration of coronary flow, ie, reperfusion. Nevertheless, controversies that intravascular pluggings (IVP) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) or platelets may cause contractile dysfunction in ischemia and even in repefusion still remain. Accordingly, we attempted to examine the intravascular plug fomation as well as the ultrastructural changes in myocytes and microvessels and to determine the relation among them. Methods: 1) Human (n= 10, 39-63 years of age; 3 females and 7 males): left ventricular myocardium (LVM) was biopsied from chronic ischemic heart disease patient during bypass surgery. 2) Calf (Holstein-Friesian species, n=4): Circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (LCx) was occluded (ischemia) for 45 minutes and recanalized (reperfusion) for 3 and 6 hours, respectively and LVMs were biopsied after occlusion and recanalization, respectiverly. 3) Rat (Sprague-Dawley species, n=20): Left coronary artery (LCA) was occluded for 20 minutes and recanalized for an hour as the method described by Selye et al., (1960) and hearts were removed after occlusion and recanalization, respectively. 4) Pig (landrace type, n=7): Anterior ascending branch of the left coronary artery (LAD) was coccluded for 45 minutes and recanalized for 2 hours and LVMs were biopsied after occlusion and recanalization, repectively. All of the LVMs were routinely prepared for transmissiom electron microscopy. Rseults: In human, most of the LVM showed irreversible ultrastructural changes in myocytes and frequent IVPs by PMNs or platelets without any significant correlation with age or sex. In the animal LVM, myocytes showed reversible ultrastructural changes with slight variations in accordance with the species, duration of ischemia and reperfusion or site of biopsy, however, injuries were more severe in the subendocardial myocytes and IVPs by PMNs or platelets were frequently observed. Ultrastructural changes in the myocytes seemed to be gradually improved by recanalization, howerver, IVPs were still observed after recanalization. Conclusion: These results suggest that microvessels are more resistant to ischemic insult than the myocytes themselves and IVP by PMNs and platelets may play an important role to produce ischemic or reperfusion injuries. Thus, it is favorable that angioplasty is preceded by thrombolysis and it is likely that restoration of myocardial function requires relarively long period of time even after recanalization.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1558-1564
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• 2015

Cutaneous evaporative heat loss in Bos indicus and Bos taurus has been well documented. Nonetheless, how crossbreds with different fractional genetic proportions respond to such circumstances is of interest. A study to examine the physiological responses to cutaneous evaporative heat loss, also lactation period and milk yield, were conducted in Sahiwal (Bos indicus, n = 10, $444{\pm}64.8kg$, $9{\pm}2.9years$), Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus, HF100% (n = 10, $488{\pm}97.9kg$, $6{\pm}2.8years$)) and the following crossbreds: HF50% (n = 10, $355{\pm}40.7kg$, $2{\pm}0years$) and HF87.5% (n = 10, $489{\pm}76.8kg$, $7{\pm}1.8years$). They were allocated so as to determine the physiological responses of sweating rate (SR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and skin temperature (ST) with and without hair from 06:00 h am to 15:00 h pm. And milk yield during 180 days were collected at days from 30 to 180. The ambient temperature-humidity-index (THI) increased from less than 80 in the early morning to more than 90 in the late afternoon. The interaction of THI and breed were highly affected on SR, RR, RT, and ST (p<0.01). The SR was highest in Sahiwal ($595g/m^2/h$) compared to HF100% ($227g/m^2/h$), and their crossbreds both HF50% ($335g/m^2/h$) and HF87.5% ($299g/m^2/h$). On the other hand, RR was higher in HF87.5% (54 bpm) and both HF100% (48 bpm) and HF50% (42 bpm) than Sahiwal (25 bpm) (p<0.01). The RT showed no significant differences as a result of breed (p>0.05) but did change over time. The ST with and without hair were similar, and was higher in HF100% ($37.4^{\circ}C$; $38.0^{\circ}C$) and their crossbred HF50% ($35.5^{\circ}C$; $35.5^{\circ}C$) and HF87.5% ($37.1^{\circ}C$; $37.9^{\circ}C$) than Sahiwal ($34.8^{\circ}C$; $34.8^{\circ}C$) (p<0.01). Moreover, the early lactation were higher at HF100% (25 kg) and 87.5% (25 kg) than HF50% (23 kg) which were higher than Sahiwal (18 kg) while the peak period of lactation was higher at HF100% (35 kg) than crossbreds both HF87.5% and HF50% (32 kg) which was higher than Sahiwal (26 kg) (p<0.05). In conclusion, sweating and respiration were the main vehicle for dissipating excess body heat for Sahiwal, HF and crossbreds, respectively. The THI at 76 to 80 were the critical points where the physiological responses to elevated temperature displayed change.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.971-979
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• 2012

Four, lactating dairy crossbreds ($50%{\times}50%$ Holstein Friesian${\times}$Native Zebu cattle) were randomly assigned according to a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangement (two protein levels and two levels of mangosteen peel pellets (Mago-pel)) in a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. All cows received concentrate at a proportion of 1 kg concentrate per 2 kg of milk yield, and urea-treated 5% rice straw (UTRS) was given ad libitum. It was found that total dry matter intakes, nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH and $NH_3$-N concentrations were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments. Concentrations of ruminal pH and $NH_3$-N were not affected by dietary treatments although the concentration of BUN varied significantly (p<0.05) between protein levels (p<0.05). The populations of rumen bacteria and fungal zoospores did not differ among treatments (p>0.05); however, the population of protozoa was decreased (p<0.05) when cows received Mago-pel supplementation. The composition of the population of bacteria, identified by real-time PCR technique, including total bacteria, methanogens, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus was similar (p>0.05) among dietary treatments (p>0.05); however, copy numbers of Ruminococcus flavefaciens was increased when protein level increased (p<0.05). Microbial protein synthesis, in terms of both quantity and efficiency, was enriched by Mago-pel supplementation. Milk yield was greatest in cows fed UTRS based diets with concentrate containing protein at 16% CP with Mago-pel, but were lowest without Mago-pel (p<0.05). In addition, protein level and supplementation of Mago-pel did not affect (p>0.05) milk composition except solids-not-fat which was higher in cows fed the diet with 19% CP. Therefore, feeding a concentrate containing 16% CP together with 300 g/hd/d Mago-pel supplementation results in changes in rumen fermentation and microbial population and improvements in milk production in lactating dairy crossbreds fed on UTRS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1579-1584
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• 2002

Twelve adult male crossbred (Sahiwal${\times}$Holstein Friesian) cattle were distributed into four groups of three each on body weight basis. Animals were given wheat straw as a basal diet. The animals of group I and II were supplemented with concentrate mixture and animals of group III and IV were supplemented with cold processed urea molasses mineral block (UMMB). Thirty mg monensin/day/animal was supplemented to the animals of group II and 35 ppm monensin were incorporated in the UMMB supplemented to the animals of group IV. Vit.A and D mixture was given to all the animals once a week. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg/d) through wheat straw was 19.0 percent higher in the UMMB (without monensin) supplemented group (group III) than those of the concentrate mixture (without monensin) supplemented group i.e. group I. Total DM intake (kg/d) was lower in the monensin supplemented groups than those of non-supplemented groups though differences were not statistically significant. Digestible dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake were similar in all the groups. Average block consumption for 45 d period in the group III (0.95 kg/d) and group IV (0.84 kg/d) did not differ significantly. DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (58.9) as compared to the group I (52.7) and group III (54.0) but similar to the group IV (57.2). OM digestibility was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (63.2) as compared to that of the group I (54.9) but similar to the group III (57.8) and IV (59.2). Ether extract (EE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group I (76.9) and II (80.3) as compared to the group III (59.87) and IV (55.77). Nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (62.38) as compared to that of the other groups. Crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) digestibilities were not affected either due to UMMB or monensin. Nitrogen balance did also not differ significantly among the groups. However, Ca and P balance (g/d) in the group III (3.1, 1.3) and IV (3.0, 1.4) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those of the group I (0.6, 0.2) and II (0.4, 0.3). Blood glucose (mg/100ml) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (65.2) and IV (65.2) as compared to the group I (55.2) and group III (53.9). Plasma urea-N level (mg/100 ml) in the group III (19.0) and IV (17.8) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of the group I (10.5) and II (12.3). So, monensin supplementation either with cold process UMMB or concentrate mixture did not show any additional effect on feed intake and digestibility but increases blood glucose level in adult cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.543-548
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• 2002

Fresh elephant grass was replaced by urea treated rice straw (UTRS) to evaluate the effects on milk production of crossed lactating cows. A total of 16 crossbred F1 cows (Holstein Friesian ${\times}$ Vietnamese Local Yellow), with a body weight of about 400 kg and lactation number from three to five, were used in the experiment. The experimental cows were blocked according to the milk yield of the previous eight weeks and divided into 4 homogenous groups. The experiment was conducted with a Latin Square design with 4 treatments and 4 periods. Each period was 4 weeks, with 2 weeks of feed adaptation and 2 weeks for data collection. The ratio of concentrate to roughage in the ration was 50:50. All cows were given constant amounts of elephant grass dry matter (DM), with ratios of 100% grass without UTRS (control treatment 100G), and 75% grass (75G), 50% grass (50G) and 25% grass (25G) with ad libitum UTRS. Daily total DM intake on 100G, 75G, 50G and 25G was 12.04, 12.31, 12.32 and 11.85 kg, and the daily ME intake was 121.6, 121.5, 119.4 and 114.3 MJ, respectively. The daily CP intake was similar for all treatments (1.85-1.91 kg). There was a difference (p<0.05) in daily milk yield between the 25G and the 100G and 75G (11.7 vs. 12.6 and 12.5 kg, respectively). Milk protein concentration was similar for all treatments, while a tendency to increased milk fat concentration following the increase of UTRS ratio was observed. The cows gained 4-5 kg body weight per month and showed first oestrus 3-4 months after calving. The overall feed conversion for milk production was not affected by ratio of UTRS in the ration. It is concluded that replacement of green grass by UTRS with a ratio of 50:50 for crossbred lactating cows is as good as feeding 100% green grass in terms of milk yield, body weight gain and feed conversion. UTRS can preferably replace green grass in daily rations for crossbred dairy cows in winter to cope with the shortage of green grass, with the ratio 1:1.