Feeding pattern and mineral status of buffaloes in Panipat district of Haryana State Yadav P.S.*, Mandal A.B.1, Dahiya D.V. Department of Animal Nutrition, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, India *Reprint request: Dr. P.S. Yadav, Tel.: +91-1662-45725; Fax: +91-1662-34952
1Present address: Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar-243 122, India Abstract A survey was conducted during rabi season (February–March) to study the feeding pattern and the mineral status of buffaloes of Panipat District of Haryana state. Accordingly, the data related to feeds and feeding, milk production and samples of feeds, fodders, blood, hair and milk were collected from 8 sites representing the whole district. Animals were mainly stall fed and confined within a limited area. Use of common salt and mineral mixture as supplement was not a common practice among farmers. Berseem was the major green fodder available and fed liberally alone or with mustard cake to dairy animals besides green oats and gulidanda, the common weed with wheat crop. Further, it was noticed that the farmers were reluctant to feed paddy straw though wheat straw was scarce. The biological samples (feeds, fodders, blood, hair and milk) collected during survey were analysed for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). The Ca and P contents in feeds and fodders were within the normal range. Zn was found to be deficient in wheat straw, paddy straw, green oats, mustard cake and wheat flour, while, these feeds and fodders had more Fe than the specified level. Berseem was found to be fairly rich in Cu and Mn but just optimum in case of Zn. Data on mineral analysis indicated that 46, 38 and 14% of buffaloes had serum Ca, P and Zn below their respective critical levels, respectively. Analysis of hair and milk indicated deficiency of Zn and Cu, but not of Mn and Fe. Survey revealed the animals of this district need dietary supplementation of Ca, P, Zn and Cu in general and more particularly during lean season when green fodders are not available. Top Key words Buffaloes, Feedstuffs, Minerals, Hair, Milk, Serum. Top |