Optimizing productivity: A comprehensive economic analysis of varied feeding strategies in lactating Murrah Buffaloes

An economic evaluation was conducted to assess the impact of different feeding regimes on milk production and overall profitability in lactating Murrah buffaloes. The study involved eighteen buffaloes in their 1st to 2nd lactation stage at the buffalo farm of the Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar, India. Three dietary treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) were established using a factorial completely randomized design. The control group (T1) received a diet comprising 30% wheat straw, 35% green fodder, and 35% concentrate mixture on a dry matter basis, following ICAR (2013) standards. Treatment groups T2 and T3 received similar diets, with varying proportions of crude protein and total digestible nutrients (CP and TDN) from green fodder replaced with concentrate mixture. Data collection included parameters such as feed intake, milk yield, milk fat percentage, and 6% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield. Economic evaluation encompassed feed costs per kilogram of milk yield and 6% FCM yield per animal. Statistical analysis employed ANOVA, with the Duncan Multiple Range Test utilized for mean comparisons. Results indicated that buffaloes in treatment groups T2 and T3 exhibited higher dry matter intake, milk yield, and 6% FCM yield compared to the control group (T1). However, milk fat percentage remained consistent across all treatment groups. The economic analysis revealed that despite higher total feeding costs for T2 and T3, the feed cost per kilogram of milk yield and 6% FCM yield were lower in these treatment groups compared to the control group (T1). In conclusion, replacing 30% or 40% of CP and TDN of green fodder with a concentrate mixture in the diets of lactating Murrah buffaloes resulted in increased milk production and improved economic viability. These findings underscore the potential benefits of optimizing feeding regimes to enhance milk yield and profitability in dairy farming. Further research could explore other aspects of feeding strategies and their economic implications in the context of dairy production.