ARUN KUMAR MISRAPAWAN KUMAR2023-12-052023-12-052022https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810202204The present study was carried out in Yamunanagar district of Haryana and Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh to assess the effect of multi-nutrient block (MNB) supplementation and rubber mat bedding on the milk production, milk quality, reproduction, health and welfare of dairy animals. Thirty eight lactating crossbred cattle and 38 lactating buffaloes were selected for first objective (12 from Pinjori, 12 from Malimajra and 14 from Patlion) whereas, for second objective, 24 crossbred cattle and 24 buffaloes (12 from Pinjori and 12 from Malimajra) were selected. The animals were divided into two groups as: control (T0) and treatment (T1) based on milk yield, body weight and parity of animals. In study area, majority of dairy farmers were marginal and small farmers with less than two hectares of land. The average herd size was in the range of 4 to 6.8. Result shows that MNB supplementation to post-partum dairy animals significantly (P<0.05) increased dry matter intake (T0: 12.46±0.03; T1: 12.73±0.04 kg/h/d), average daily milk yield (T0: 11.13±1.35; T1: 12.47±1.89 kg/ h/d), fat percent (T0: 4.12±0.14; T1: 4.31±0.14) and SNF percent (T0: 8.60±0.03; T1: 8.70±0.02) in crossbred cattle, whereas, milk yield (T0: 9.67±1.19; T1: 10.81±0.99 kg/h/d) and fat percent (T0: 7.49±0.05; T1: 7.59±0.09) in buffaloes in the study area. Supplementation of MNB was significantly (P<0.05) reduce the days of first post partum estrus (T0: 94.76±1.46; T1: 74.22±3.62 days), service period (T0: 128.37±2.16; T1: 103.85±6.05 days), and number of service per successful conception (T0: 2.24±0.06; T1: 1.35±0.07) in crossbred cattle. Significant (P<0.05) reduction in service period (T0: 150.20±9.31; T1: 115.83±7.34 days) and number of service per successful conception (T0: 2.42±0.08; T1: 1.58±0.09) was recorded in buffaloes. The MNB supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased blood urea (mg/dl) in crossbred cattle (T0: 10.86 ±0.06; T1: 12.82±0.03) and buffaloes (T0: 10.93 ±0.34; T1: 13.21±0.18). Non-significant (P>0.05) effect of MNB on reducing subclinical mastitis incidences (CMT and somatic cell count), body weight (kg), average DMI (percent body weight and total DMI) and hematological parameters were observed in crossbred cattle and buffaloes. Significant (P<0.05) increase in cow cleanliness score was observed due to rubber mat bedding in crossbred cattle (T0: 2.54±0.01; T1: 3.22±0.042) and buffaloes (T0: 2.59±0.02; T1: 3.14±0.01). Rubber mat bedding also significantly reduces the incidence of hock and knee injury in treatment group of crossbred cattle (T0: 2.19±0.16; T1: 1.52±0.06) and buffaloes (T0: 2.13±0.09; T1: 1.50±0.03). Similarly less subclinical mastitis incidences were recorded in treatment group of crossbred cattle and buffaloes as compared to control group. Rubber mat bedding had non-significant (P>0.05) effect on milk yield, milk fat, SNF, milk protein, body weight, BCS, reproductive performance and hematological parameters of crossbred cattle and buffaloes. It can be conclude that MNB supplementation improved the productive and reproductive performance of dairy animals and rubber mat bedding had improved the quality of milk and welfare of dairy animals.EnglishThesis