In Pakistan during the past decade, milk production has been increased from 27.811MT to 49.512MT.Nili-Ravi buffalo is one of the best dairy breed of water buffalo; with an average milk yield per lactation 2,430 liters (Bilal et al. 2006).Buffalo population of Pakistan is considered as valuable asset comprising the best dairy breeds of the world. Buffalo’s milk contributes approximately 68% to the total milk production in the country.
The research in dairy cattle indicated that milk production is associated directly to the type of carbohydrates fed in the diet. Carbohydrate fraction contributes approximately 70% of dry matter in the diets for lactating dairy cows. NFC is a major source of energy for lactating dairy animals. According to NRC a typical dairy ration should contain NFC between 35 to 40 % of the total dietary DM to support optimal milk production. Studies in cattle have shown positive correlation of NFC with milk production.High NFC diets have shown improved production performance in cattleTherefore aim of current experiment was to evaluate the optimal level of straw based non fiber carbohydrate TMR on production performance of lactating Nili-Ravi buffalo.
The experiment was carried out at Buffalo Research Institute (BRI), Pattokito evaluate the effect of two levels of NFC on; dry matter intake, body weight, body score, fecal score, milk production, changes in milk composition, milk production efficiency. In this experiment twelve lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes of same parity and comparable milk production were selected. Animals were housed on concrete floor and were fed individually. The shed was well ventilated.
The duration of experiment was 50 days. Animals were given adaptability period of 10 days and remaining 40 days for data recording and sample collection. Animals were randomly assigned into two dietary treatments: Treatment 1: Straw based low NFC (32%) TMR as a control and Treatment 2: Straw based high NFC (40%) TMR with n=6 animals per treatment. Diets formulated were iso-nitrogenous. At the start of experiment animals were weighed and then weekly during experimental period. Hand milking was carried out twice daily in the morning and evening at 7.00 and 19.00, respectively. Milk let down was done by calf suckling. During the entire experimental period, ad libitum availability of fresh and clean water to individual animal was ensured. The animals were fed on straw based non-fiber carbohydrate TMR once daily in the morning after milking. TMR offered and refusal was recorded daily.
The effect of treatments on milk yield, milk composition, dry matter intake and other variables was analyzed by two independent sample t-tests using Procttest procedure of SAS ( release 9.1; SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC).
Conclusion
In present research animals were given two levels of straw based non-fiber carbohydrate TMR and it was observed that by giving straw based low NFC (32%) TMR the production performance of Nili-Ravi buffaloes were better than NFC (40%). The results of current study should be used cautiously due to the limitations of the trail.