To assess the comparative feeding practices and minerals status of lactating cattle and buffaloes in Cotton-Wheat growing zone of Haryana
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Date
2023-04
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LUVAS Hisar
Abstract
In the Cotton-Wheat growing region of Haryana, a thorough survey was conducted to evaluate
feeding practices, status of macro and microminerals in feed, fodder, blood, milk, and hair as well as to
determine the correlation between intake of minerals and their status in blood, milk and hair of cattle
and buffalo. Total 504 dairy farmers were selected for conducting survey and collection of samples,
which was performed from June to November 2021 (Kharif season). Sorghum was the most preferred
green fodder used by 76.58% of farmers followed by bajra 23.41% and grasses 19%, 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 48.41% followed by multi grains 19.24%.
Pelleted concentrate feed was used by 15.07% farmers. Cotton seed cake, Gram churi and mustard cake
were the main source of dietary protein used by 64.28%, 28.17% and 23.81% farmers, respectively.
Mineral mixture was supplemented by 23.61% of the farmers; whereas 81.15% farmers included
common salt in the ration of their animals. Among dry roughage, maximum CP % was recorded in
bajra kadbi (4.18), whereas least CP was recorded in wheat straw (3.12). Among green fodders, the
highest CP was recorded in grasses followed by maize, sorghum and bajra fodder. Wheat grain and
multi grain daliya contained 11.31 and 14.11% crude protein, respectively. The highest CP was
recorded in mustard cake followed by cotton seed cake and cotton seed and the values were 35.1, 23.65
and 20.12%, respectively.
Green fodders contained appreciable quantities of Ca but deficient in Zn. All dry roughages
were deficient in all minerals except Fe. In cereals, multi grain feed was a richer source of Ca as well
as P than wheat. Wheat and multigrain feed 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
Mn content was just below or near to optimum level. Gram churi was rich in all minerals. All these
feedstuffs were rich in Fe. Dietary intake of Zn was inadequate in both cattle (82%) and buffaloes
(87%). Manganese intake was also deficient in both cattle (68%) and buffaloes (74%) while intake of
Fe was more than the requirement. Only 34% and 24% of the animals were receiving less Ca and P,
respectively, than the requirement. Serum was optimum in Ca and P. Serum Zn was within normal
range (0.8 - 2 ppm) while serum Cu was below critical level in cattle in about half of the zone, similar
trends for serum Cu were seen in buffaloes. 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 could be considered as best indicator of dietary intake of Zn and
Cu. The study indicated deficiency in feeds and biological samples in cattle & buffaloes of the zone &
invite corrective measured by strategic feeding of mineral mixture.