ENHANCING BUFFALO PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH USAGE OF LOW QUALITY FEED STUFFS - M. Sarwar; M. A. Shahzad; M. Nisa; S. A. Bhatti; N. A. Tauqir (Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 2012)
Livestock farming is considered the backbone of Agriculture sector and its contribution in the Pakistan’s economy can’t be neglected, as contribution by this sector in overall Agriculture and national economy is more than 53 and 11%, respectively. Out of 32 billion liters of annual milk produced in the country, buffaloes share more than 65%. Milk production by buffaloes can be enhanced by addressing the issues like imbalance and poor nutrition, the main constrains to exploit the real potential this animal inherits. Available feed resources indicate that ruminants are deficient of 38%crude protein and 26% total digestible nutrients. In addition to two fodder shortage periods, high fiber and low nutrient profile and digestibility of available feedstuffs further worsen the nutrient availability index. Improving nutritive profile and utilization of low quality fodder/forages/ fibrous crop residues through various means may be used as a toll to narrow down the gap between nutrient availability and demand. Numerous ways and means to improve the nutritional aspects of fibrous stuffs have been documented with varying degree of success. Treatment of Jambo grass, mott grass and oat fodder with 2% molasses and its ensiling for 30 days has successfully replaced the conventional fodders in the diets of lactating buffaloes. Berseem and lucerne fodders ensiled at 30% DM level with 2% molasses also replaced the conventional leguminous fodder in the diets of lactating buffaloes. Increased crude protein, intake and digestibility of straw treated with 5% urea and 6% acidified cane molasses have been reported in buffaloes. It was further noticed that inclusion of treated straw and corncobs in lactating buffalo ration reduced 50% concentrate. In fodder shortage periods, wheat straw treated with urea and ensiled with acidified molasses may be used in animal diet as substitute of green fodder. Wheat straw treated with manure (at the rate of 30% DM weight of wheat straw) and urea (at the rate of 4% DMweight of wheat straw) and ensiled with molasses (at the rate of 4% DM weight of wheat straw) for 40 days under anaerobic condition can be used as concentrate source in the diet of buffalo for better milk production and growth. This brief article recapitulates the potential effects of different treatments to fibrous stuffs aimed to improve its nutritive profile and utilization in lactating buffaloes.
Keywords: journal article; Buffalo productivity; nutrition; treated fibrous stuff