Effect of ration balancing on milk production, microbial protein synthesis and methane emission in crossbred cows under field conditions in chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh
2011
Kannan, A. | Garg, M.R. | Kumar, B.V Mahesh
Effect of balancing the ration on milk production, microbial protein synthesis and methane emission was studied in 30 crossbred cows under field conditions in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Nutritional status of animals was analysed by ration balancing software and methane emission by sulphur hexafluoride technique. Microbial protein synthesis was calculated by estimation of purine derivatives excreted in urine. Initially, baseline data for all the animals were estimated and thereafter their ration was balanced as per their nutrient requirements by using ration balancing software. After 30 days of feeding again all the parameters were estimated. Analysis of the feeding practices revealed that dietary intake of TDN was adequate but CP intake was lower (10.44%) than their requirements. The calcium and phosphorus were also deficient by 47.81 and 46.52%, respectively. Balancing the ration did not affect body weight, dry matter intake, TDN intake and concentrate roughage ratio. CP intake was improved significantly (P<0.05) after balancing the ration. Though milk fat was not affected, balancing of ration significantly (P<0.05) improved the milk yield and reduced methane production. The average methane emission reduction was 11.17 and 19.62%, in terms of g/d and g/kg DMI, respectively, besides reducing (P<0.05) the gross energy lost as methane. The calculated microbial nitrogen supply (g/d) was also significantly higher (P<0.05) after balancing the ration. It was concluded that ration balancing has the potential to improve milk production, microbial protein synthesis and reduce methane emission from lactating crossbred cows.
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