Effect of zinc and vitamin E supplementation on production performance of lactating buffaloes

Abstract

The trial involved twenty four early lactating Murrah buffaloes randomly selected and divided into four groups T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ comprising six animals in each group. The experimental Group T0 received basal ration containing concentrate mixture, paragrass and paddy straw, Group T₁ received basal ration + 40 ppm zinc/animal/day, Group T₂ received basal ration + vitamin E 1000 IU/animal/day and Group T₃ received basal ration with combination of zinc 40 ppm + vitamin E 1000 IU for 13 weeks trial period. The average dry matter intake of buffaloes from various Experimental groups was comparable. The average milk yield and FCM yield of Group T₃ was significantly (P<0.01) higher than Group T₀ and T₁, however, difference between T₂ and T₃ was comparable. The feed efficiency in terms of DM intake/kg FCM yield was significantly (P<0.01) better in Group T₃ than Group T₀ and T₁. The average milk composition was not affected by the feed treatment. The milk somatic cell count was significantly (P<0.05) lowered in all Supplemented group. Thus, it is concluded that the supplementation of zinc 40 ppm and vitamin E 1000 IU and their combination found to be beneficial for increasing milk production and improving milk quality in term of lower somatic cell count and such supplementation is cost effective and beneficial for dairy farmers. More benefits were recorded in combination of zinc and vitamin E Supplemented group than the unsupplemented or only zinc Supplemented groups.