Nutritional status of dairy animals in different regions of Punjab State in India

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of animals with respect to macro nutrients in different regions of Punjab state. The Punjab State is divided into 6 agro climatic zones — the sub mountain undulating zone (SMUZ), undulating plain zone (UPZ), central plain zone (CPZ), western plain zone (WPZ), western zone (WZ) and flood prone bet zone (FPBZ). Two districts were selected from each region; from each district 2 tehsils/blocks were selected. From each tehsil, 2 villages and from each village at least 10 farmers of different socio-economic status were selected.
The animals of WZ had highest body weight (518 kg) produced highest milk (6.9 kg/d), while that of SMUZ had the lowest body weight (467 kg) and animals of UPZ produced only 5.1 kg/d. The daily DM intake expressed as per cent of body weight varied between 2.35 (UPZ) and 2.84% (WPZ). The animals of all the zones, except that of CPZ (protein) and WPZ (EE) were offered either protein and fat deficient diets, or the diet offered was not able to meet the requirement of these nutrients, as also indicated by the milk urea-N (MUN), which varied between 4.67 (WPZ) and 9.45 mg/dl (CPZ). The NDF content in the complete feed was much higher in all the zones than the recommended level. The proportion of roughage in the complete feed was highest in UPZ (86.9%) followed by that in FPBZ (83.69%) and lowest proportion was used in the diet of animals of WZ (71.41%), where relatively high proportion of concentrate was used (28.59%), which was clear from the health and productive performance of the animals of WZ.
The purine derivatives excreted in urine revealed that allantoin concentration was highest in animals of WZ indicating highest microbial protein synthesis in the rumen for meeting the protein requirements. The results revealed that animals of WZ utilized the nutrients more efficiently compared to animals of any other zone, as indicated by higher milk production. The animals of WPZ though consumed higher amount of DM and CP, the absorption of purines and microbial nitrogen synthesis was low, indicating inefficient utilization of dietary nutrients.
Only 19.7% of the farmers offered mineral mixture (MM) in CPZ, followed by that of FPBZ and lowest (2.5%) in SMUZ. With regards to salt supplementation in the diet, the situation was better than that for MM, as 48% of the farmers of CPZ and only 19.68% of the farmers of WZ supplemented the diet with salt. The deficiency of minerals and salt was reflected in reproductive problems faced at farm houses. The highest cases of repeat breeding/anoestrus were recorded in CPZ and WPZ (52.0–51.5%) and the lowest number (28–34%) of cases was recorded in WZ and FPBZ.It was concluded that feeding of the balanced diet (with respect to energy, protein and minerals) must be advocated under field conditions.