Abstract 518

Geoffroy,-F

Sta. de Recherches Zootech., INRA-Antilles Guyane, 97170 Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe.

Revue-d'Elevage-etde-MedecineVeterinairedes-Pays-Tropicau . 1983, 36: 2, 215-217; 3 ref.

For four 3-wk periods 12 goats in month 4 of lactation, allotted to 2 groups according to level of milk production (av. 1500 or 1100 g milk/day resp.), were given an ensiled mixture containing 81.3% green banana, 11.4% wheat bran, 6.5% bagasse and 0.8% urea (fresh weight) to appetite; 5% molasses (fresh wt. basis) was added to the ration during alternate periods. DM intake ranged from 0.97 to 1.7 kg/day during the 12-wk trial. During periods when molasses were fed DM intake increased by 30-40% and the rate of decline in post peak milk yield was significantly decreased. The molasses improved palatability and the utilization of non-proteinN in addition to increasing the energy value of the silage.