BackgroundDeficiency of macro and micro-minerals in the ration of dairy cows adversely affects growth, milk production and reproduction efficiency. It is essential to examine mineral concentrations in feeds offered to dairy cows in practical farms.MethodsTwo villages from each taluka were selected at random for taking representative samples of feeds, forages and hair. Within the village, help was sought from village milk producers and district animal husbandry officer for identification of 4 to 5 farmers and collection of representative samples. All the samples were processed and analyzed for chemical composition as well as major macro and micro-minerals, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer.ResultsCa content in wheat straw (0.29%), crushed maize (0.02%) and wheat bran (0.12%) was found to be below the critical level (0.30%). The P content in concentrate ingredients was high (0.26–0.96%), but low in dry roughages (0.06–0.12%). Cereal straws (0.14%) and grains (0.12%) were deficient in Mg. Feeds and forages were found to be adequate in K (1.50%). Cereals straws were found to be deficient in S (0.11%). Greens were good source of Cu (12.02 ppm). Wheat straw was found to be low in Zn (18 ppm), but high in Mn (225 ppm) and Fe (509 ppm). Local grasses and azolla green were found to be rich source of Co (>1.00 ppm). Se (0.63 ppm) was present in appreciable quantities in most of the feedstuffs.ConclusionsFrom the present study, it was apparent that the feeds and forages available in the state of Jharkhand may not meet the requirements for Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn and Co in order to sustain a milk production of ~10 kg/day. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement these deficient minerals through area specific mineral mixture in the ration of dairy cows for improving productivity and reproduction efficiency.
To study the effect of feeding Slow Ammonia Release and Protected Protein supplement (SARPP) on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urinary levels of allantoins as well as on quantity and quality of milk, a feeding trial was conducted on 24 lactating buffaloes. Animals were divided into three similar groups, fed on standard basal ration. Animals in group-I were fed 1.0 kg untreated rapeseed meal containing 50 g untreated urea, animals in group II were fed 1.0 kg treated rapeseed meal containing 50 g untreated urea and animals in group III were fed 1.0 kg treated rapeseed meal containing 50 g treated urea (SARPP supplement), in place of one kg compound cattle feed. Levels of BUN and allantoins in urine were 10.33, 10.48 & 9.64 (P<0.05) mg/dl and 2.35, 3.03 & 5.23 (P<0.01) mmol/litre in groups I, II and III, respectively. Daily average milk yield was 6.46, 7.42 (P<0.05) and 7.70 (P<0.01) kg in groups I, II and III, respectively. Average fat and protein % were 6.64 & 3.41, 6.81 (P<0.05) & 3.53 and 6.95 (P<0.05) & 3.57 in groups I, II and III, respectively. On feeding SARPP supplement, crop residues and dietary proteins could be utilized in a more efficient manner in buffaloes
Kolhapur district is located in the Western part of India and is well known for buffalo rearing. Buffaloes are mainly fed on crop residues and local grasses and need to be supplemented with deficient minerals for proper production and reproduction functions. In view of this, area specific mineral mixture was developed for the district by testing feeds and fodders for macro and micro minerals. The average calcium (Ca) content in straws of groundnut, ragi and soybean was high (0.97%), whereas, straws of sorghum and paddy had low (0.23%) level. Ca content in green fodder was 0.38 percent. Concentrate ingredients were particularly low (0.22%) in Ca. The phosphorus (P) content in crop residues and green fodders was 0.14 and 0.19 per cent, respectively, which was low, but higher (0.67%) in concentrate ingredients. The magnesium (Mg) content in roughages and concentrate ingredients was 0.38 and 0.32 percent, respectively. The sulphur (S) content was deficient in concentrate ingredients (0.13%) and crop residues (0.12%). Cobalt (Co) was deficient in the diet of animals; however, iron and manganese levels in most of the feed ingredients were adequate. The average copper (Cu) content was low in dry and green fodders (7.34 ppm), whereas, concentrate ingredients were better source of Cu (15.19 ppm). Molybdenum (Mo) content in feeds was within the safe limit (average level<0.31 ppm. Selenium (Se) content in most of the feed and fodders was adequate (0.40 ppm). Zinc (Zn) was deficient in most of the feedstuffs (average level<35.0 ppm). From the present study, it was apparent that certain minerals such as Ca, P, S, Zn, Cu and Co were deficient in the diet and needed to be supplemented
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