Department of Animal Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 141004, India
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
The availability of feeds and fodders in different seasons and the nutritional status of dairy animals kept by different categories of farmers keeping unto 2 (Category I), 5-7 (Category II), 10-12 (Category III) and above 15 (Category IV) lactating animals in Ludhiana district was assessed. The average green fodder, dry fodder and concentrate fed round the year was 28.5, 5.6 and 1.3 kg/h/d. However, the availability of the feed and fodder and as such availability of nutrients to dairy animals varied significantly between seasons and also anions different categories of dairy farmers.
Dairy farmers of Category II and Category IV supplied maximum green and dry fodders to their animals. Berseem, bajru (Pennisetum typhoides), chari (Sorghum vulgure), wheat bhusa (straw) and maize stover constituted the main fodders in different seasons. Maximum green fodder was supplied in spring and the lowest during winter, whereas maximum dry fodder was supplied in winter season only. Dairy farmers of Category IV supplied more concentrates to their animals than those of other categories. The animals in Jagraon cluster supplied significantly more concentrate than Doraha cluster of Ludhiana distrtct. The feeding of mineral mixture to the animals was practically non-existent in the area.
The average BCP, TDN and DM supplied throughout the year to the animals averaged 0.67 ± 0.07, 6.465 ± 0.18 and 11.102 ± 0.24 kg/h/d, respectively. Nutrients supplied to the dairy animals varied significantly between seasons and between categories of dairy farmers. The DCP and TDN requirement of the animals kept by farmers of Category I was met to the level of 90 and 88 per cent, respectively, whereas the farmers of other categories supplied more than the requirements.
