Ten lactating crossbred (Beetal x Sannan) goats in early lactation were divided into two groups of five each. Group I was fed fresh berseem fodder (Trifolium alexandrinum) ad lib., whereas group II was fed berseem fodder and concentrate mixture in 1:1 ratio (on DM basis), to fulfill their nutritional requirements as per NRC. Feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily. DM intake (kg/day/animal) was significantly higher in group II (1.61±0.04) than in group I (1.36±0.05). DM digestibility was also higher in group II (73.98±1.93%) (P<0.05) than in group I (70.70±0.80), however, fibre (CF, NDF, ADF) digestibilites were higher (P<0.01) in group I than in group II. CP digestibility did not vary significantly between the groups. There was no significant effect of dietary treatments on daily as well as total milk yield and its composition. Maintaining the lactating goats on berseem fodder was found economical.

Keywords: Berseem feeding, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, goats