Nutritional Status of Lactating Crossbred Cows in Central Plane Zone of Punjab State

This study was taken up to assess the nutritional status of lactating crossbred cows (CBCs) in the central plane zone (CPZ) of Punjab state. Fifty and 47 rural dairy farm houses (RDFH) maintaining CBCs were selected from 32 and 29 villages of Ludhiana and Moga district, respectively. The feed and fodder samples (n=240) were collected from all the farm houses, while on the spot milk and urine samples (n=398) were collected from at least 2 lactating CBCs selected at random from each RDFH. Cattle holding expressed as adult cattle units (ACUs) of CBCs were numerically higher in the RDFHs of Ludhiana as compared to Moga district (35 vs. 30.7 ACUs). The CBCs as compared to buffaloes predominated in both the districts (80.55 vs. 19.45%). The body length and heart girth of the CBCs were comparable resulting in comparable body weight of animals in both the districts. The roughage to concentrate ratio in the complete feed offered to CBCs was observed to be similar (55: 45) in both the districts. More than 80% farmers offered homemade concentrate mixture, 94% of farmers offered mineral mixture while all the farmers offered salt to their CBCs. Some of the farmers used carrot, potato and/or pea pods in the ration of high yielding CBCs. The CP and TDN intake and microbial protein synthesized in the rumen were higher (P<0.01) in CBCs of Moga as compared to that of Ludhiana district. Milk yield (Av. 16 L/d) and milk urea-N (Av. 25.45 mg/dl) were similar in CBCs of both the districts. The CP, EE and TDN content in total mixed ration were comparable to those recommended by NRC (1989) for lactating animals. The daily intake of DM was higher while that of TDN was lower than the NRC requirements. It was concluded that crossbred cows in central plane zone were healthy and well fed and further improvment in the diet with respect to energy may boost the milk production.