Mineral contents of locally available feeds and fodders in flood prone Eastern plains of Rajasthan and dietary status in ruminants

Mineral contents of common feeds and fodders and dietary mineral composition of cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats under existing feeding practices in flood prone eastern plains of Rajasthan have been evaluated to identify the deficiency and development of supplementation strategies. Wheat, barley and sorghum cereal grains contained Ca 0.03–0.50%, P 0.34–0.39%, Mg 0.13–0.27%, Zn 28–36 ppm, Cu 7–8 ppm, Mn 27–50 ppm and Fe 319–365 ppm. Mustard, cotton seed cake, cluster bean grain and gram churi contained Ca 0.49–0.81%, P 0.34–0.60%, Mg 0.46–0.68%, Zn 35–51 ppm, Cu 4–10 ppm, Mn 1367 ppm and Fe 131–635 ppm. Green fodder contained Ca 0.42–1.00%, P 0.09%, Mg 0.64–0.83%, Zn 23–51 ppm, Cu 3–19 ppm, Mn 86–106 ppm and Fe 925–1536 ppm. Cereal straws and Stover contained Ca 0.47–1.14%, P 0.09–0.18%, Mg 0.18–0.83%, Zn 13–29 ppm, Cu 3–11 ppm, Mn 23–63 ppm and Fe 434–1431 ppm. Tree leaves contained Ca 0.79–1.61%, P 0.09–0.10%, Mg 0.46–0.86%, Zn 24–34 ppm, Cu 9–31 ppm, Mn 34–68 ppm and Fe 555–801 ppm. Cattle and buffaloes in pregnancy and lactation stages were found short of Ca (7–10%) and P (50–56%) requirement. Magnesium content of diet of cattle and buffaloes was adequate and excesses the requirement in all the stages. Zn content during pregnancy and lactation stages in the diet were deficient (14–16%), Cu and Mn contents of diet were adequate and Fe content of diet was considerably higher (1074–1201 ppm) than requirement in the diet. Sheep and goats under existing feeding practices were found short of Ca in their diet. Phosphorus content of diet of sheep and goats in all the stage were below than the requirement owing to grazing resource and tree leaves in the region were primarily poor in P content. Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe intakes of sheep and goats were found to be adequate under the prevailing feeding practices. It was concluded from the study that diet of pregnant and lactating cattle and buffaloes were deficient in Ca, P and Zn and sheep and goats diets were deficient only in Ca and P. Mineral mixtures or concentrate need to be supplemented, to overcome the deficiency and production and health losses.