Effect of Additional Energy Supplement on the Productive Performance of Lactating Murrah Buffaloes

Abstract

Background: Energy is one of the most important nutritional factors that limits the production of dairy animals. It has been observed that the productivity of dairy animals is adversely affected because of lack of providing sufficient ration in early lactation stage which results into weight loss, anemia and various reproductive and metabolic disorders. Maximizing energy intake by increasing the energy density of the diet is a logical feeding strategy for early lactating buffaloes. Methods: Considering the need of energy in high yielding lactating animals especially in their early stage of lactation, the experiment was planned to investigate the effect of additional energy supplement (5% additional concentrate, soybean oil @ 100 ml/animal/day, bypass fat @ 100 g/animal/day and roasted soybean @ 100 g/animal/day) on productive performance of 30 apparently healthy lactating Murrah buffaloes for a period of 90 days post-partum. Result: Maximum per cent increase in the milk yield was noted in buffaloes of T3 group. The average fat percent in milk has increased significantly (p less than 0.05) throughout the study period in all the groups. There was no significant difference in the overall average protein, lactose, SNF and total solids percent were observed among the groups.