Degradability and Nutritional value of Vicia ervilia seed on Holstein dairy cow performance

15 Holstein cows (1st lactation, 554 ± 57 Kg) randomly divided into three groups. Cows fed Vicia ervilia seed at the rate of 0%, 7% and 14%, DM of dietary, which replaced with Soya been meal and barely. Vicia ervilia (VE) contain approximately: 93.93% DM, 22.8% CP, 5.95% Ash, 3.02% EE, 63% NFE, 5.23% CF, 15.01% NDF and 6.13% ADF. The effective ruminal degradability of CP and DM of VE amounted to 74.76% and 70.57% respectively. Milk production increased in 14% group compared with control (P< 0.05). The values of urea nitrogen in treated cows were significantly increased (P< 0.05). The result of this study indicated that the Vicia ervilia can be used as a protein source replaced with Soya been at the 14% level in dairy cows ration during lactation period after partition.