Effect of strategic nutrient supplementation on the reproductive performance of anoestrus crossbred cattle in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

In Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh anoestrus is a major problem in crossbred cattle under field conditions due to under feeding and non availability of balanced ration. Thirty anoestrus crossbred cattle {20 heifers (average body wt. 224.75 ± 7.41 Kg) + 10 cows (average body wt. 316.50 ± 15.48 Kg, milk yield 4.9 ± 1.25 litre/h/d)} having normal genitalia were selected randomly from ten villages of Indore district. Average daily feed intake of each animal was recorded and proximate principle, major (Ca and P) and trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu and Co) in available feedstuffs were determined to find out nutrient availability. Deficiency of nutrients was calculated by comparing the standard requirements of the animals. A strategic nutrient supplement [soya-De oiled cake, sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate, zinc oxide, copper sulphate, vitamin A & E] containing deficient nutrients was formulated on the basis of nutrient deficiency observed in rations of anoestrus cows. Supplementation study was carried out in the same thirty affected anoestrus crossbred cattle by dividing them into two groups of 15 (10 heifers + 5 cows) in each. One of them served as control (un-supplemented), while another was supplemented with strategic nutrient supplement (Treatment). This supplementation study was continued for a period of two months. During which individual animal was regularly examined for onset of estrus and artificially inseminated and after two months of the artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis of each animal was carried out per rectally to find out the conception status. Onset of estrus (control vs treatment group) in heifers (10% vs 70%) and lactating cows (20% vs 60%) and conception rate (control vs treatment group) in heifers (10% vs 50%) and lactating cows (20% vs 60%) were higher in the animals of supplemented group, while an additional advantage in the form of improvement (P< 0.05) in the body weight of heifers of treated group was also observed. Thus it can be concluded that strategic nutrient supplementation not only improved the reproductive performance of the crossbred anestrous heifers and cows, but it also improved the growth performance of the heifers.