Effect of concentrate supplementation during transition period on production and reproduction of indigenous buffalo

Abstract

This study was to investigate the impact of concentrate supplementation on the growth, milk yield and quality, postpartum heat period and days open in transient buffalo. Hence, six selected indigenous transient buffaloes were equally divided into two groups viz. control (n=3) and supplemented (n=3). About 56.0 kg mixed green fodders (Para:German=3:1) and 2.0 kg concentrate mixtures were offered as a basal diet to each buffalo. Besides these, an additional amount (0.5 kg) of concentrate mixture (wheat bran-50%, mustard oil cake-40%, common salt-2% and di-calcium phosphate-8%) was supplied to each buffalo of the supplemented group. The dry matter intake of the supplemented buffalo was 2.5 and 2% higher (p<0.001) at preand post-partum period, respectively than that of the control fed buffalo. Preand post-partum body weight, and body condition score of buffaloes between the group were found similar (p>0.05). About 20% more (p=0.02) milk was obtained in the supplemented group compared to the control group, however, the milk composition was not different (p>0.05). Calf birth weight was found ≈10% higher (p=0.51) in the supplemented group than that of the control group. Postpartum heat period and days open of the supplemented buffaloes were reduced remarkably by 13 and 14 days, respectively compared to the buffaloes in control group. Overall, concentrate supplementation to the transient indigenous buffaloes has noteworthy effects on milk yield, postpartum heat period and days open.