Evaluation of feeding practices of lactating Jaffrabadi buffaloes in their home tract

This study was undertaken to investigate the management practices of Jaffrabadi buffaloes in the Junagadh district to find the type of feeding and management practices followed by the owners. The present study was carried out in five talukas viz - Visavadar, Manavadar, Mendarda, Junagadh and Mangrol of Junagadh districts of Gujarat state. Four villages from each selected taluka were selected randomly for the study purpose. The personal interview technique was used to collect first-hand information from three owners from each selected village of selected talukas of Junagadh district. Basic statistical tools were used to draw the inferences. The survey revealed that most respondents reared the animals on stall feeding and supplementation of green maize, marvel grass, j owar hay, groundnut haulms, and cottonseed cake. Generally, 18.23±1.70 kg available green fodders, 11.72±0.43 kg available dry fodders and 7.29±0.23 kg concentrate were fed daily to lactating Jaffrabadi buffaloes. The average DMI of lactating Jaffrabadi buffaloes is 20.04±0.28 kg/day.The concentrate was fed twice a day at the time of milking, and most respondents (95%) used readymade concentrate mixture. Soaking of concentrate was practiced by the majority (65%) of respondents. The majority of respondents were not practicing mineral supplementation (88.33%), salt supplementation (81.67%) and deworming (51.67%) to their buffaloes.