A Study on the Effect of Ration Balancing for Improving Milk Production and Reducing Methane Emission in Lactating Buffaloes under Field Conditions

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A field trial on twenty six lactating buffaloes was conducted to study the effect of ration balancing on milk production, microbial protein synthesis and methane emission. Baseline methane emissions of buffaloes were estimated by using SF6 tracer technique, thereafter the ration was balanced as per their nutrient requirements. After 30 days of feeding balanced ration, methane emission by the animals was estimated again. Microbial protein synthesis was calculated by estimation of purine derivatives in urine. Analysis of the feeding practices revealed that though the dietary intake of CP was adequate, TDN intake was lower in buffaloes (14.48%) than their requirement. The calcium and phosphorus were also deficient by 43.58% and 76.66% in buffaloes. On feeding balanced ration, average increase in milk yield (kg/day), fat (%), 6% FCM yield (kg/day) and microbial nitrogen supply (g/day) in lactating buffaloes were 0.46, 0.29, 0.71 and 29.18, respectively, which were higher (P<0.01) than before implementation of the programme. Average methane emission, in terms of g/day was reduced (P<0.01) by 13.30% after feeding balanced ration. Similarly, methane emission in terms of g/kg DM intake, g/kg OM intake and g/kg milk yield were also reduced (P<0.01). The gross energy lost as methane was reduced (@ 18.13%; P<0.01) in buffaloes after balancing the ration. Thus, the results of the present study indicated that, ration balancing has the potential for improving milk production, milk fat and microbial nitrogen supply along with reducing methane emission in lactating buffaloes under field conditions.