EFFECT OF FEEDING TOTAL MIXED RATION CONTAINING DETOXIFIED KARANJ (Pongamia pinnata) CAKE OR NEEM SEED (Azadirachta indica) CAKE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING CROSSBRED COWS
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Date
2013-03
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY , TIRUPATI – 517502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT :
The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of feeding total mixed rations containing detoxified Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) cake and Neem seed (Azadirachta indica) cake on the performance of lactating crossbred cows. About 18 crossbred cows with mean body weight of 334.56±12.76 kg and average milk yield of 5.67±0.29 kg/day were used in the trial. The animals were randomly divided into three groups(T1,T2 and T3) of six animals each in a completely randomized design. Three iso-nitrogenous total mixed rations (TMRs)T1, T2 and T3 were formulated with 60:40 roughage to concentrate ratio. Dry maize fodder was chaffed, ground and mixed in the TMRs using chaffer cum grinder. The control ration (T1) was prepared by incorporating dry maize fodder (60%), Soybean meal (9.6%), Urea (0.3%), mineral mixture (0.6%), Salt (0.3%) and molasses (10%). The T2 and T3 were prepared by replacing the fifty percent protein content of Soybean meal with Neem seed cake and Karanj cake respectively. The TMRs were made iso-nitrogenous by altering the proportions of deoiled rice bran and maize grain.
All the rations were iso-nitrogenous with crude protein % of 12.32 (T1), 12.16 (T2) and 12.06 (T3). A 90 day lactation trial was carried out by feeding the animals with TMRs (T1, T2 and T3). The initial and final body weights of the animals were recorded which revealed that there was numerical increase in body weight in all the three groups indicating that the complete feeds could able to meet the nutrient requirements of the animals. After 60 days of experimental feeding a digestion trial of 6 days duration was conducted.
The DMI as % BW was 2.53% (T1), 2.77% (T2) and 2.61% (T3). The DMI was well within the range specified by ICAR 1998.This also indicates that addition of Neem seed cake and Karanj cake in complete diets did not affect the palatability and DMI. The DCP and TDN intakes (kg/day) were 0.68, 5.20; 0.72, 5.57; and 0.66, 5.24 for T1, T2 and T3 indicating that the values were well above the requirements given by ICAR 1998. The dry matter digestibility co-efficients for T1, T2 and T3 were 69.03, 67.75 and 68.79 respectively. The CP and EE digestibility co-efficients for T1, T2 and T3 were 64.21, 73.78; 59.88, 75.07 and 60.12, 75.24 respectively with no significant difference.
The blood was collected at the start of experiment and at the end of experiment and analysed for blood parameters. There was no significant difference (P>0.5) among different treatment groups with regard to total serum protein concentration. The total protein (g/dl) content of the blood was high at the end of the experiment when compared to initial body weights of the animals showing positive nutrition indicating that the complete feeds could able to meet the nutrient requirements of the animals.
The Urea concentration was found to be the same in all the three groups both at the start and end of the trial and reduced significantly over a period of 90 days which is indicative of better protein utilization. The serum enzymes AST, LDH, ALP, ALT and LDH were found to be within the normal range indicating no deleterious effect of inclusion of Neem Seed Cake and Karanj cake.
The serum cortisol concentration got reduced in all the treatments at the end of the experiment when compared to the start of the experiment indicating that the animals in all the treatments were not in pain or stress. The IGF-I concentrations increased in all the treatments during the course of the experiment which indicate that the animals in all the treatments were in a good nutritional status, good energy balance and body condition score. The milk yield was recorded every fortnight and the milk parameters were studied. The average milk yield and 4% FCM per day during the 90 day lactation trial revealed that total mixed rations containing Neem Seed cake showed significantly higher milk yield compared to T1( control) and T3 (Karanj cake supplementation). Even though all the three rations were iso-nitrogenous the inclusion of Neem seed cake showed better conversion efficiency into milk yield without showing any adverse effect.The average fat yield (g/day) in T1, T2 and T3 were 297.99, 332.60 and 357.52 respectively. The Neem seed cake based TMR showed better milk yield, fat yield, SNF and Total solids than in T1 and T3. There was no significant difference among the treatments with regard to milk protein and density. The total milk production per animal for 90 days trial was found to be more in T2 (672.51 kg) than T1 (581.49) and T3 (531.47kg). The dry matter required per production of 1 kg 4% FCM was less in T2 when compared to T1 and T3.
The results obtained in the present investigation suggest that the addition of Neem Seed cake and Karanj cake at 50% replacement of protein content of Soybean meal in complete diets did not show any adverse effect on the animals. Both detoxified Neem Seed Cake and detoxified Karanj Cake can be alternative protein sources and addition of them at higher doses needs to be explored.
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