Assessment of minerals profile and  nutritionalstatus of lactating cattle and buffaloes in raya-pearl millet growing  zone of Haryana

Saharan, Vivek

Assessment of minerals profile and nutritionalstatus of lactating cattle and buffaloes in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana

Date

2022-11

Authors

Saharan, Vivek

Publisher

Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Science, Hisar

Abstract

An extensive survey was carried out to assess feeding practices, status of macro and micro minerals in feed, fodder, blood, milk and hair and to calculate correlation between intake and minerals status in blood, milk and hair of cattle and buffalo in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana. The survey was conducted during June to November, 2021 (Kharif season) involving 504 dairy farmers. Bajra was the most preferred green fodder used by 74% of farmers followed by sorghum (37.3%) and grasses (35.5%), Wheat straw was the preferred dry roughage used by 90 % of the farmers followed by paddy straw (11.9%). Wheat grain (Dalia) was the common energy source fed by the farmers (54.6%) followed by bajra grain (34.9%). Pelleted concentrate feed was used by 27.7% farmers. Cotton seed cake and mustard cake were the main source of dietary protein used by 62.1% and 20.03% farmers, respectively. Mineral mixture was supplemented by 21.4% of the farmers whereas 83.1% farmers included common salt in the ration. Among dry roughage, maximum CP % was recorded in bajra kadbi (4.14), whereas least CP was recorded in wheat straw (3.06). Among green fodders, bajra fodder was most preferred while the highest CP was recorded in grasses followed by sorghum and bajra fodder. Bajra and wheat grain contained 11.15 and 12.18% crude protein, respectively. The highest CP was recorded in mustard cake followed by cotton seed cake and cotton seed and the values were 35.04, 22.31 and 20.16%, respectively. Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but deficient in Zn. All dry roughages were deficient in all minerals except Fe. In cereals, bajra was a richer source of Ca than wheat. Wheat contained more P than bajra. Wheat and bajra grain had sufficient amount of Cu but deficient in Mn. Protein sources, mustard cake, cotton seed and cotton seed cake were fairly rich in Ca, P, Zn, Cu and Fe but deficient in Mn. All these feedstuffs were rich in Fe. Dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (86%) and buffaloes (95%). Manganese intake was also deficient in both cattle (71%) and buffaloes (76%) while intake of Fe was more than the requirement. Only 35% and 22% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P, respectively, than the requirement. Serum was marginally deficient in Ca and P. Serum Zn was within normal range (0.8 - 2 ppm) while serum Cu was below critical level in cattle in most of the zone except Gurugram, whereas in buffaloes it was below critical level in Gurugram, Mewat and Mahendragarh districts. Fe intake was high due to its high level in feeds; however, its level in serum was within the normal range. Serum Mn was above critical value (0.20 ppm). Milk samples were deficient in Zn and Cu. Hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds. Correlation between intake of minerals and their level in biological samples indicated that hair reflects dietary intake of Zn and Cu.