Cation-based mineral supplement to prevent acidosis in dairy animals of Karnal district

Abstract

Negative energy balance must be minimized to improve health and fertility. Dairy animals with high genetic potentials are required to be fed on maintained and high concentrate diets to fulfil their nutritional requirements. Suddenly changing the feed from fodder to concentrates of pregnant dairy animals leads to rumen acidosis. The rumen pH comes down to 5.2 (normal 6.5 to 7.0) and this is not favorable for proper feed digestion hence called Rumen acidosis. At this pH, all rumen bacteria which helps in digestion die. Dietary cation and anion difference (DCAD) based ration feeding is another way to balance the acid-base chemistry of the dairy animals which can be altered by manipulating major anion and cation inclusion in diet. Study was designed with randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. A total of 300 farmers were selected for study after complete enumeration of seven villages. Out of 300 farmers, 210 most desirable farmers were selected for the study. A 12% increase in milk in case of buffaloes and 14.50% increase in case of cows of treated group was obtained. The net income to variable cost was more in case of buffalo rearing farmers’ (₹ 17025) than cow rearing farmers’ (₹ 13437).