Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Sciences ANG Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderahad-500030, India
1Institute of Animal Nutrition, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kattupakkam-603203
2Corresponding author gaddireddyn@yahoo.co.in
3Livestock Research Institute
Lactating Murrah buffaloes (20; 483.2 ± 8.7 kg BW) divided in 4 equal groups were offered conventional ration (C), complete ration processed into mash (M), expander-extrusion pellets (EE) or steam pellets (SP) for 180 days. The DMI was higher (P<0.05) in conventional ration but comparable in all forms of complete rations. The digestibility of OM, CF, NFE, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose were higher (P<0.05) in conventional ration compared to complete rations. The cellulose and lignin digestibility were increased (P<0.01) in steam pelleted complete rations as compared to expander extrusion and mash form. The DCP content was low (P<0.01) and TDN content was high (P<0.01) on conventional ration compared to all forms of complete rations. Milk yield, FCM yield, milk fat and SNF contents were comparable in all the rations. Cost of feed/kg FCM yield was comparable in conventional ration and complete feeds. These results indicate that castor stalks (15%) and soya bean straw (15%) can be effectively utilized as roughage source in complete rations of milch buffaloes.
Castor stalks, Soybean straw, Expander extrusion, Pelleted, Milk, Buffaloes
