Effect of Replacing Mustard Cake with Deoiled Sunflower Cake on Intake and Digestibility of Nutrients in Lactating Murrah Buffaloes

Twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes having same lactation stage were randomly divided into three equal groups on the basis of body weight and milk yield. The mustard cake in the concentrate mixture of group T1 was replaced with deoiled sunflower cake at 50 and 100 percent levels in concentrate mixtures of groups T2 and T3. Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric concentrate mixtures were fed along with wheat straw and unchaffed green oats for the period of 90 days. Average daily dry matter intake, dry matter intake per 100 kg body weight and body weight gain did not differ significantly among groups. The digestibility of nutrients except crude fiber was significantly (p<0.05) less in group T3 (100%DSFC) than those in group T1 and T2. However, cell wall contituents digestibilities did not differ among treatments. Therefore, it may be inferred that the mustrad cake can be replaced completely with deoiled sunflower cake without affecting feed intake and digestibilities of nutrients in Iactating Murrah buffaloes.