1Central Institute for Research on Buffalo, Posted at Plant Animal Relationship Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi
Plant Animal Relationship Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003, U.P. (India)
*Corresponding author E-mail: mmdas1964@gmail.com
Online published on 15 April, 2013.
Eight lactating buffaloes each of Murrah (G1) and Bhadawari (G2) were maintained on barley straw adlibitum and concentrate mixture in the form of sani (mixture) for three months to study the comparative nutrient utilization. In addition a total of 1 kg wheat bran was also offered during morning and evening milking. DMI/d (kg) was 10.45 and 8.17 in G1 and G2, respectively. DMI (% BW) was non significantly higher in Bhadawari (2.35%) than Murrah (2.12%). Digestibility of DM, NDF, ADF, CF, CP,EE and NFE was 52.66±0.9, 46.88±1.02, 36.9±1.93, 49.03±1.69, 46.78±2.61, 71.46±1.93 and 61.69±1.30% in Murrah and 52.74±1.25, 44.62±2.55, 32.58±1.68, 49.30±1.32, 44.62±2.55, 72.75±2.32 and 60.98±1.23% in Bhadawari, respectively. DCP (g) and TDN (kg) intake were (538 and 5.73) in G1 and (381 and 4.44) in G2. Milk yield (kg) was statistically (P<0.05) higher in Murrah (4.48) than Bhadawari (2.97) however, milk composition was comparable between the breeds. The protein and energy utilization efficiency were also identical between the breeds.
Murrah, Bhadawari, Buffalo, Barley straw, Nutrient utilization, Milk yield
