Nutritonal evaluation of organically grown fodders in lactating Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate the nutritionalresponse of organically grown diets in buffaloes on nutrientsutilization and nutrient efficiency for milk production. Forthis, ten milch Murrah buffaloes of average body weight(490.72±6.65 kg), milk yield (8.13± 0.33 kg), and lactationstage (85±5.28 days) were distributed in inorganic (InDg)andorganic dietary groups (OrDg) with five animals in each.Buffaloes of InDg and OgDg were fed sorghum hay–berseemfodder-concentrate mixture-based diets grown inorganicallyand organically, respectively. After 60 days of feeding, adigestion cum metabolism trial was conducted to assess feedintake, nutrient utilization, and N balance, while milk yieldand composition were recorded fortnightly. DM, CP, digest-ible crude protein (DCP), and metabolizable energy (ME)intake (g/Kg w0.75) were similar in animals of InDg andOrDg. NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose digestibility were (P<0.05) higher in animals on OrDg (59.20, 51.55, and 62.67)than InDg diet (54.57, 43.72, and 56.61 %), respectively.Urinary n loss (g/day) was (P<0.05) lower in OrDg (67.23)than in InDg (83.55); however, milk N was comparable inanimals of both dietary groups (47.36 vs 45.82 g/day). Nitro-gen balance was higher in animals of OrDg (39.72) than inInDg (28.08). DCP, TDN, and ME values of both diets weresimilar. No effect of diet was observed on milk yield and itscomposition; however, increased lactation length decreasedmilk yield. Buffaloes on both diets had similar efficiency anconversion ratio of nutrients for milk production. Resultsrevealed that diets (organically vs. inorganically grown) haveno effect on milk yield and its composition; however, buffa-loes on organic diet have higher fiber digestibility and lowurinary N loss which did not affect the dietary nutrientsefficiency and conversion ratio for milk production