Performance of lactating buffaloes fed on de-oiled Mahua (Madhuca indica) seed cake in Chhattisgarh hills region of central India

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of De-oiled mahua seed cake (DMSC) on the performance (milk yield, fat percent, nutrient intake, net income and body weight change) of lactating buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in Mandla district of Chhattisgarh Hills Region of Central India. Eighteen lactating buffaloes were selected and divided into three groups (T₁, T₂ and T₃) on the basis of body weight, milk yield, parity and stage of lactation, containing 0, 5 and 10% DMSC in replacement of conventional de-oiled seed cakes in the concentrate mixture. The milk yield (kg/day), fat percent, 6% FCM yield (kg), DM intake (kg/ day) and body weight gain (g/day) was comparable among the groups. However, net income (Rs./ animal/day) and B:C ratio was higher in the groups containing DMSC. Thus, from the experiment it was concluded that conventional cake can be replaced with 10% DMSC economically without any adverse affect on milk yield, fat percent, nutrient intake and body weight.