Economics of Feeding Rumen Protected Fat and Protein to Lactating Murrah Buffaloes

Economics of feeding rumen protected fat and protein was investigated in lactating Murrah buffaloes. Eighteen Murrah buffaloes were divided into two groups of 9 each on the basis of Most Probable Production Ability (MPPA) and lactation number (2nd to 4th lactation). Buffaloes in group 1 (control group; MPPA 2204.17 kg) were fed wheat straw, green maize fodder and concentrate mixture as per requirements while those in group 2 (treatment group; MPPA 2210.64 kg) were fed the same ration as to control group plus rumen protected fat (@ 2.5% of DMI) and concentrate mixture containing formaldehyde treated mustard and groundnut oil cakes (1.2 g HCHO/100 g CP) in place of untreated cakes as a rumen protected protein source. Rumen protected fat and protein was supplemented 60 days pre partum to 90 days postpartum and carry over effect of supplementation on milk production was monitored up to 210 days of lactation. DMI was similar in both groups, however, average CPI was higher (P<0.05) in group 2 (2.03 kg/d) than in group 1 (1.75 kg/d). The average TDN intake was higher (P<0.01) by 16.05 per cent in group 2 (10.12 kg/d) than in group 1 (8.72 kg/d). The average milk yield (210 d) was higher (P<0.05) by 16.84 per cent in group 2 (11.93 kg/d) than in group 1 (10.21 kg/d). Similar trend was observed in 6% FCM yield in both the groups. Net return over feed cost of milk yield per animal per day in control and treatment group was Rs.177.50 and 210.01, respectively. Similarly, net return over feed cost of 6% FCM yield per animal per day in control and treatment group was Rs.177.45 and 224.36. These results indicated that feeding of rumen protected fat and protein to high yielding lactating buffaloes during early lactation was cost effective.