Vol. 13, Issue 3 (2024)

In the present experiment, the effect of supplementing WDGS replacing cotton seed cake (CSC) on milk production and its composition in lactating Murrah buffaloes have been studied. Twenty-four lactating graded Murrah buffaloes were selected and divided into three groups of eight each on the basis of milk yield and body weight following completely randomized design. The buffaloes in control group (T₀) were fed on cotton seed cake as a concentrate source with wheat straw as per requirement. In the treatment group (T₁) and T₂ the cotton seed cake as concentrate mixture was replaced by 50 % and 100 % wet distiller’s grains with soluble (WDGS). Buffaloes were kept under stall fed system with uniform management condition by housing them in well ventilated sheds. The duration of experimental feeding was 270 days. Total dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition were recorded during experimental feeding. There was no statistically (P>0.05) significant change in the total dry matter intake of buffaloes of all groups. There was significant increase in the average milk yield of buffaloes fed with 50 % (T₁) and 100% (T₂) WDGS as a concentrate mixture in comparison to control (T₀) group. However, the supplementation of WDGS did not have any significant effect on overall milk composition in graded Murrah buffaloes. Supplementation of WDGS also improve the net returns per liter in treatment (T₂) group, in which 100 % cottonseed cakes was replaced by wet distiller’s grains with soluble. From the present study, it is concluded that the supplementation of WDGS in diet increased average milk yield without affecting milk composition and dry matter intake in lactating Murrah buffaloes.

Highlight: A significant increase in the average milk yield was observed in buffaloes fed with 50% and 100% WDGS as a concentrate mixture. Supplementation of WDGS also improve the net returns per liter in WDGS fed buffaloes in which 100% cottonseed cakes was replaced by wet distiller’s grains with soluble.