Role of mineral mixture supplementation in enhancing productivity and profitability of peri-urban dairy farming

A study of 3 months duration was conducted in coastal belt of Odisha to assess the effect of supplemental mineral mixture on productive performance of lactating crossbred cows. Twenty crossbred cows were divided into two groups (T₁ and T₂) consisting of ten animals each. Animals in group T₁(control) were fed on homemade concentrate mixture in fodder based diet consisting of concentrate and roughage (40: 60), whereas the animals in group T₂ were additionally supplemented with mineral mixture at 2% of concentrate mixture. Average daily dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition were recorded at fortnight intervals during the trial. A digestibility trial of six days duration was conducted at the end of experimental feeding. DMI was not influenced by mineral mixture supplementation. Apparent digestibility of crude protein and ether extract were higher (P<0.05) in mineral mixture supplemented group than control group. Supplementation of mineral mixture improved the serum mineral level and improved milk yield by 18%. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of mineral mixture improved nutrient utilization, mineral bioavailability and milk production performance in dairy cows fed fodder based diet and enhanced income of farm families by 30%.