Effect of strategic nutrient supplementation on health, reproductive and productive status of buffaloes in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

In Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, buffaloes have a significant contribution as dairy animals. Nutritional deficiencies cause several reproductive and metabolic problems in buffaloes. Rations of advanced pregnant buffaloes are mostly based on straw with very little concentrates and greens without any mineral supplementation. To find out the nutritional causes and in order to suggest the strategic nutrient supplementation to overcome these problems in dairy animals, the present study was conducted to know the nutrient status of buffaloes of Indore district of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. Twenty (20) adult healthy advanced pregnant buffaloes identical in all respect were selected randomly from the area of the study and feed intake of individual animal was measured to work out nutrient availability by considering chemical composition of dietary ingredients. The nutrient availability of individual animal was compared with the nutrient requirements given in the feeding standards to work out the nutrient deficiencies/excess/imbalance. Results indicated shortage of DCP 11 %, P 21 %, Zn 65 %, Cu 2 %, vitamin A 45 % and vitamin E 80 % in advanced pregnant buffaloes. On the basis of results obtained a strategic nutritional supplement, containing deficient nutrients, was formulated. These animals (20) were divided into two groups (a) Control/Un-supplemented (n=10) fed on existing ration (b) Treatment/Supplemented (n=10) fed on existing ration supplemented with strategic nutrients during advanced pregnancy for 2 months. The strategic nutrient supplementation in advanced pregnant buffaloes found to prevent reproductive problems, metabolic disorders and mastitis. It also improved the health status of buffaloes. However, there was no significant difference in milk yield of supplemented and un-supplemented groups.