Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of low-cost suppliments to a
feeding regime of buffalo cows and calves in a small farm at Thanamalwila Area. A
preliminary study was conducted t develop a regression equation to estimate the actual
body weight (Y) by using weight band weight (X). The actual body weight using
livestock scale and weight band weights were collected from seventy six cross-bred
buffaloes (39-250kg). The regression equation Y = 0.7909X = 4.5302, had a significant
R2 value of 0.8881. Above equation was used to estimate the body weight of buffaloes
in follow-up experiments.
Four NiliRavi buffalo cows. (501.84kjg±26.7) and four NiliRavi buffalo calves
(92.43kg±19.03, 7.5±0.577 months of age) were fed four feed ration separately. The
treatments were; Pre bloom stage of Guinea A (Pre S) (50.15kg/h/d±2.65) for milking
cows and 7.68kg/h/d±1.6 for calves) + Gliricidia (G) (25kg/h/d±1.33 for milking cows
and 3.8kg/h/d±0.79 for calves) + Gawa Thriposha (GT) [750 g/h/d for milking cows and
200g/h/d GT were fed for calves - (rice bran 30%, molasses 40%, urea 10%, mineral
mixture 0.08% -Tl], late blossom stage of Guinea A (Late S) +G + GT + T2; Pre S +
Farm; made concentrate (F) - T3;, Late S + F - T4. The experiment design was 4*4
Latin Square Design (4 animals*4 feeding periods).
Feed intake of both milking buffaloes and calves was higher (p<0.05) when GT
supplemented with tree fodder, as compared to the other two treatments. Highest
(p<0.05) milk yield was observed with cows in Tl (Pre S+G+GT) followed by cows in
T2 (Late S+G+GT) showed actual benefits, of feeding of Gliricidia and the highest
effect (p<0.05) on milk fat, total solids and milk N. If the quality of the roughages were
not good, feeding of tree fodder compensated to get a good milk output. Average Heart
girths, daily weight gains and length gains of buffalo calves were highest when GT
sullied with tree fodder, as compared to the calves in T3 (Pre S+F) arid T4 (Late S+F)
even during a short period of time.
The results conclude that, when the quality of roughages was not adequate, desirable
benefits could be. obtained by feeding . tree fodder and Gava Triposha. Above
supplements could reduce the amount of supplements and the cost of feeding. Therefore
it is necessary that the farmers should be aware of the actual benefits of using low cost
supplements and tree fodder in improving production standard of buffaloes. Similarly it
is very much important to aware of the farmers to feed the animals according to the
animals’ requirements.
