Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology

A survey was conducted in the semi-arid zone of Rajasthan, to find out the role of feeding practices and farm management system on certain macro and micro-minerals status of dairy animals. Feeds and fodder samples were collected at random from the area under survey. The cobalt was occasionally deficient in the diet of animals, however, iron level in most of the feed ingredients was adequate (average level>500 ppm). Manganese was deficient in concentrate ingredients (35 ppm), whereas, crop residues and green forages were richer (62 ppm). The average Cu content was unduly low in straws (6.61 ppm) and moderate in green fodders (14.0 ppm), whereas, concentrate ingredients were better source of copper (26.0 ppm), except grains. Zinc was deficient in most of the feedstuffs (avg.<42.0 ppm) and needed to be supplemented in the ration of animals. The average Ca content in straws (0.35%) was higher, whereas, concentrate ingredients were low in Ca (0.26%), except sesame cake. The P content in crop residues was lower (0.09%), but higher in green fodder (0.33%) and concentrate ingredients (0.50%). The Mg content in samples of feeds and fodder was adequate (0.42%), to meet the requirement of animals (0.20%). The sulphur content was adequate in green fodder (0.55%), whereas, crop residues and concentrate ingredients were deficient in sulphur (0.15%). The magnesium, sodium and potassium levels in feedstuffs were found to be adequate, from animal's requirement point of view. From the present study, it was apparent that the level of certain minerals such as zinc, copper, cobalt, calcium, phosphorus and sulphur was inadequate, as per the estimates for the requirement of buffalo yielding 10 kg milk (7% fat) per day.