EFFECT OF VARYING NDF LEVELS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN LACTATING NILI RAVI BUFFALOES
S. Ahmed, M. A. Jabbar, A. Khalique, K. Javed*, Saima, N. Ahmed*, F. Shahzad** and M. Fiaz***
Department of Animal Nutrition, *Department of Livestock Production, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. **University College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The, Islamia University of Bahawalpur,*** Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi
Corresponding email: saeed.ahmed@uvas.edu.pk
ABSTRACT
The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of varying levels of dietary NDF on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition in early lactating (n=25) Nili Ravi buffaloes. Five groups with five animals in each, under completely randomized design were fed A, B, C, D and E rations which were iso nitrogenous and isocaloric based on NDF levels 23, 28, 33, 38 and 43%, respectively. Nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility differ (P<0.001) significantly among the dietary groups. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake (kg/d) were found highest in animals fed diet C (14.31±0.05), C (1.86±0.006) and E (5.52±0.018) respectively than those on the other four treatments. Whereas, DM, CP and NDF digestibility percentage were observed the highest in the group B (62.88±1.04), B (51.00±0.57) and C (64.4±0.99) respectively, as compared to others. The 4% fat corrected milk (kg/day) production was significantly (P<0.001) higher in group A (11.23±0.15) as compared to others. In term of milk composition (TS 16.65±0.07%, fat 7.01±0.04%, milk protein 3.78±0.02% and milk lactose 5.04±0.02%) were observed the highest in group D (38% NDF). Hence it is concluded that 33% NDF level is better in terms of NDF digestibility and 23%NDF in terms of 4%FCM production in early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes.
Key words: Nili Ravi buffaloes, NDF, ADF, voluntary intake, weight gain
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