Effects dietary protein and energy levels on productive and reproductive performance of lactating buffaloes

Results showed that the CP digestibility and digestible crude protein (DCP) values were increased (P0.05) in high protein diet. While, the digestibility coefficients of either extract (EE) and nitrogen free extract (NFE) and TDN values were increased (P0.05), but crude fiber (CF) digestibility decreased (P0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet recorded the highest digestibility coefficients of CID, EE and NFE and nutritive values and HP-LE diet had the highest CF digestibility (P0.05). Dietary DCP intake increased (P0.05) in high protein diet and the intake of DM and TDN increased (P0.05) in high energy diet. The HP-HE diet showed (P0.05) the highest intake of TDN and DCP. The yield of actual milk and 7% fat corrected milk (FCM) increased (P0.05) in high protein and high energy diet (HP-HE). The contents of protein, SNF and TS in milk increased (P0.05) in high protein diet. While, the contents of protein, lactose, SNF and ash in milk increased (P0.05) and fat decreased (P0.05) in high energy diet. Average daily feed cost and total revenue increased (P0.05) in high protein diet. While, average daily feed cost and feed cost per kg 7% FCM decreased (P0.05), but total revenue and economic efficiency increased (P0.05) in high energy diet. The LP-HE diet recorded the lowest average daily feed cost, while HP-HE diet showed the lowest feed cost/kg 7% FCM and the highest total revenue and economic efficiency (P0.05). Dietary protein level not affected postpartum reproductive performance of lactating buffaloes. However, the periods from parturition to first estrus and first service, service period, days open and number of services per conception decreased (P0.05), but conception rate increased (P0.05) in high energy diet. Moreover, buffaloes fed HP-HE diet showed the short periods from parturition to first estrus and first service, service period, days open, the lowest number of services per conception and the highest conception rate.