Effect of Feeding Expander Extruder Processed Complete Diet Containing Maize Cobs on Production Performance of Buffaloes

An extruded complete ration (pellets) consisting maize cobs as basal ingredient at 28.5% was compared with a conventional feeding system based on concentrate mixture plus chopped sorghum straw ad lib. and limited quantity of green lucerne (10 kg/animal/day). These feeds were evaluated in 12 lactating graded Murrah buffaloes (6 in each group) for 180 days. A digestion trial was conducted in mid of the experiment. Daily DM and water intakes were 2.96 & 2.86kg/100kg B.W and 3.87 and 4.05 kg/kg DMI on conventional and complete diet, respectively. Buffaloes consumed more roughage (54% Vs 28.5%) on conventional feeding. The digestibilities of CP and NFE were higher (P<0.01) on complete diet. The DCP content was 7.56 and 8.06% while the TDN content was 56.04 and 56.93% on conventional and complete diets, respectively. The milk yield, 4% FCM yield and fat % were comparable in both the groups. DMI/kg 4% FCM production (P<0.05) and cost of feed/kg 4% FCM production (P<0.01) were lower on complete ration compared to conventional ration. These results indicate that incorporation of maize cobs in the complete rations of lactating animals as sole source of roughage was economical to meet a part of energy requirements.