M. oleifera fed at 2 kg or 3 kg DM day− 1 can significantly improve dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility and milk yields of dairy cattle fed a basal diet of B. brizantha hay in the dry tropics without affecting milk composition (fat, crude protein and total solids) or organoleptic characteristics of milk (smell, taste and colour), and has thus a great potential to contribute protein rich forage, particularly in dual purpose production systems during the dry season.