Productive Performance of Lactating Buffaloes Fed Different Types of Silages During Summer Period

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to study the performance of lactating buffaloes fed different types of silage. Twelve lactating buffaloes in complete switch-back design with four treatments.The ration R1 represent the summer traditional ration containing 46.0% concentrate feed mixture(CFM)+21.0% alfalfa hay (AH)+33.0% rice straw (RS) ,the ration R2 fed 33.0%CFM+43.0% berseem silage (BS)+ 24.0 % RS, The R3 fed 40.0 % CFM +35.0 % maize silage (MS)+25.0 % RS and the ration (R4) fed 38.0% CFM+38.0% maize teosinte hybrid silage (MTS)+24.0% RS. Incorporation of MS and MTS decreased CP% and ash% content in the tested ration but NFE % increased, while control and R2 rations were recorded the highest CP% and low NFE content. TDN and DCP values on DM basis of tested rations were nearly similar. Actual 7.0% of FCM yield was nearly similar for all groups. No significant differences between treatments on milk composition, expect protein content. There are no significant differences in the intake of DM, TDN and DCP among all different rations. Buffaloes fed RI recorded the lower amount of DM and TDN /one kg7% of FCM followed by R2 and R3 while R4 recorded the highest values. No differences among various treatments for DCP efficiency .Daily feed cost, was decreased in R2 and R4 followed by R1 and R3. Buffaloes fed R1 and R4 recorded the highest economic efficiency. The including of BS, MS and MTS reduce the daily amount of CFM, decrease the daily cost of feeding improve feed conversion and economic efficiency.