Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
RL Dangi, Santosh Kumar, Yajuvendra Singh and SS Lathwal

Abstract:
Fifteen (n=15) dry and pregnant Murrah buffaloes were selected based on similar body weight, parity and milk yield and divided into three groups Control (Non-Supplement) and treatment (Supplement) T₁ & T₂ with five in each group. To investigate the effect of pre to postpartum supplementation of Asparagus racemosus root powder (ARRP) on milk production, its composition and economics, the T₁ groups of buffaloes were fed with ARRP @ 100 mg/kgBW during the prepartum to postpartum period @ 200 mg/kgBW. T₂ groups of buffaloes were fed with ARRP @ 150 mg/kgBW prepartum to postpartum period @ 300 mg/kgBW. The supplementation period was 60 days prepartum to continuing 90 days postpartum. All the buffaloes were also observed for up to 60 days after the withdrawal of supplementation as a post-supplementation period. The present study reported that pre to postpartum supplementation of herbal feed supplement ARRP did not affect the prepartum DMI, however, it increased the intake of dry matter during the postpartum period significantly (p<0.05) by increasing the digestibility of feed nutrients (p<0.05). ARRP supplementation has a significant (p≤0.05) effect on buffalo daily milk yield. The ARRP dose also has a significant (p≤0.05) effect on daily milk yield. Buffaloes (T₂) supplemented ARRP @ 150 mg/kg BW prepartum to 300mg/kg BW postpartum produced higher milk than the 100 mg/kg BW prepartum to 200mg/kg BW postpartum supplemented group (T₁). Daily milk yield during post supplementation period was also reported to be higher (p≤0.05) than non-supplemented buffaloes (Control). The increase in daily milk was reported higher by 15.47 & 13.04% and 22.27 & 14.36% in T₁ & T₂ respectively during supplementation and post-supplementation periods than in the control group. Supplementation of ARRP @ 150 mg/kg BW prepartum to 300mg/kg BW postpartum had a significant effect on fat yield, % protein, protein yield, % SNF, SNF yield, % TS and TS yield. However, supplementation of 100 mg/kg BW prepartum to 200mg/kg BW postpartum improved the quality of milk in terms of fat yield, protein yield, SNF yield and TS yield over the Control group. As expected, the feed cost per kg milk production was not increased (p>0.05) but, pre to postpartum supplementation improved the margin money up to Rs. 2.52 over Rs 1.0 investment on feed cost. Therefore, pre to postpartum supplementation of ARRP had a beneficial effect on buffaloes in terms of milk production, composition and economic returns.