EFFECT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS OF VARYING RUMINAL DEGRADABILITY ON MILK PRODUCTION, AND COMPOSITION IN EARLY LACTATING NILI-RAVI BUFFALOES

Study on effect of varying protein supplements of varying ruminal degradability on milk production, and composition was conducted in early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes at Livestock Experimental Station, Khushab. Twenty four multiparous early lactating (22± 10 days) Nili-Ravi buffaloes were selected and randomly divided into four groups (six animals in each group) and fed diets A, B, C and D containing 30, 40, 50 and 60 % rumen undegradable protein, respectively in a completely randomized design. Results showed that whole milk yield was highest (P<0.05) on diet C and lowest on diets D and A while, 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) and fat yield (g/d) was maximum (P<0.001) on diet C while, statistically similar on other three diets. Protein yield (g/d) was also highest on diet C and lowest on diets D and A. Fat, solid not fat, lactose, salts and total solid percentages were unaffected by the diets, however, protein percent was highest (P<0.001) on diet C and lowest on diet D. Cost of production per liter milk yield and 4% FCM was least on diet C and highest on diet D. Live weight change in early lactating buffaloes remained same (P>0.05) on all diets.

Keywords: Protein, degradability, milk production, FCM, milk composition, cost of production