EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING LEVELS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING EGYPTIAN BUFFALOES

Abstract

Nutrient requirements of dairy animals are the main factor affecting on productive and reproductive performance. So, the objective of the study was to evaluate the nutrient requirements of dairy cattle performed by NRC could be to meet lactating Egyptian buffalo’s nutrient requirements. Twenty four lactating buffaloes at third to fifth seasons of lactation and weighed on average 514± 12.15 kg were used in the current study. The animals were divided randomly into three groups (eight animals each) to get three feeding levels of NRC requirements. Three feeding levels were performed to meet 80% (T1), 100% (T2) and 120% (T3) of NRC allowances for dairy cattle. The obtained results indicated that dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/d) has a gradual and significant increase (P < 0.05) by increasing feeding level. Apparent dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF) digestibility were not significantly affected by treatments. Milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk (4% FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) (kg/d) were having a gradual increase by increasing feeding level. Milk composition (%) was not significantly affected by treatments; however, milk composition yields (g/d) were significantly increased (P<0.05) by increasing feeding levels. Feed conversion for milk yield, 4% FCM and ECM (Kg/Kg DMI) were significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by increasing feeding level according to NRC requirements. It can be concluded that the NRC requirements for dairy cattle are not enough for Egyptian buffaloes under the conditions of this study. Also, increasing feeding level for buffaloes above NRC allowances for dairy cattle could enhance the productive performance for Egyptian buffaloes.