EFFECT OF VARYING NDF LEVELS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN LACTATING NILI RAVI BUFFALOES Authors: S. Ahmed, M. A. Jabbar, A. Khalique, K. Javed, Saima, N. Ahmed, F. Shahzad, M. Fiaz Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Pages: 1008-1011 Year: 2014 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of varying levels of dietary NDF on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition in early lactating (n=25) Nili Ravi buffaloes. Five groups with five animals in each, under completely randomized design were fed A, B, C, D and E rations which were iso nitrogenous and isocaloric based on NDF levels 23, 28, 33, 38 and 43%, respectively. Nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility differ (P<0.001) significantly among the dietary groups. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake (kg/d) were found highest in animals fed diet C (14.31±0.05), C (1.86±0.006) and E (5.52±0.018) respectively than those on the other four treatments. Whereas, DM, CP and NDF digestibility percentage were observed the highest in the group B (62.88±1.04), B (51.00±0.57) and C (64.4±0.99) respectively, as compared to others. The 4% fat corrected milk (kg/day) production was significantly (P<0.001) higher in group A (11.23±0.15) as compared to others. In term of milk composition (TS 16.65±0.07%, fat 7.01±0.04%, milk protein 3.78±0.02% and milk lactose 5.04±0.02%) were observed the highest in group D (38% NDF). Hence it is concluded that 33% NDF level is better in terms of NDF digestibility and 23%NDF in terms of 4%FCM production in early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes.

Keywords: Nili Ravi buffaloes, NDF, ADF, voluntary intake, weight gain