Studies on the comparative feeding practices and minerals status of  lactating cattle and buffaloes in paddy – wheat growing zone of Haryana

Ramsawroop

Studies on the comparative feeding practices and minerals status of lactating cattle and buffaloes in paddy – wheat growing zone of Haryana

Date

2022-09

Authors

Ramsawroop

Publisher

Lala lajpat rai university 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 mineral status in blood, milk and hair of cattle and buffalo in paddy-wheat growing zone of Haryana. The survey was conducted during June to November 2021 (Kharif season) on 636 families. Sorghum was the most common used green fodder used by 67% of farmers followed by maize fodder (26%) to fed as green fodder to their lactating cattle and buffaloes. In dry fodders, wheat straw was the preferred over paddy straw and used in every block by most of the farmers (91%) followed by paddy straw (24%). Wheat grain (dalia) was the common energy source fed by most of the farmers (88%). Concentrate pellet was the supplement source of energy and protein used by 46% farmers. Mustard cake and cotton seed cake were the main source of protein used by 49% and 41% of farmers. Mineral mixture was provided by 30% of farmers whereas 40% of farmers included common salt in animal ration. Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but P was below critical level. P and Zinc were deficient in the samples of green fodders. Mn was observed to be deficient by 9% in bajra fodder and by 5.50% in grasses. All dry roughages were deficient in Ca, P, Cu, Zn and Mn. In cereals, bajra was a richer source of Ca than wheat. Wheat (0.37%) contained more amount of P than bajra. Most of the samples of wheat and bajra grain had sufficient amount of Cu. Concentration of Mn was poor in these sources. Protein sources, mustard cake, cotton seed and cotton seed cake were fairly rich in Zn, Cu and Fe but concentration of Mn was lower. Fe was rich in all the feedstuffs. Regarding intake of mineral, it was found that dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (72%) and buffaloes (89%). Mn was also deficient in buffaloes (38%). Intake of Cu was found deficient in Yamunanagar in both the species. Buffaloes of Sonipat & Panchkula districts were also getting Cu less than their daily requirement while intake of Iron was more than the requirement. Only 26% and 23% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P, respectively, than their requirement. Average value of serum Zn in most of the samples was within normal range i.e. 0.8 to 2 ppm while that of serum Cu was below critical level. Intake of Fe was high due to high content in feed and fodders still its level in serum was within the normal range. Serum Mn was above critical value (0.20 ppm). Serum was marginally deficient in Ca and P which might be cause of lactation drainage. Hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds while none of the hair samples were deficient in Fe. Similarly, milk samples were also deficient in Zn and Cu. All milk samples had Fe concentration above the critical level i.e. 0.3 ppm.