Supplementation of critical micro-nutrients in peri‑parturient dairy buffaloes improves lactation performance

Background: The peri‑parturient period is the most vital period of a dairy animal's life and affects its future performance. Dairy animals get exposed to severe metabolic stress during the peri‑parturient period and their stress tolerance capacity during the period remains a key factor to harvest optimum production from these animals without getting exposed to any of peri‑parturient disorders. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of weekly critical micro-nutrient (CMN) supplementation during the periparturient period on the lactation performance of Murrah buffaloes. Methods: Weekly CMN (vitamins E, A, and niacin with minerals Co, Cr, Cu, Se, and Zn) supplementation during the periparturient period (56 days prepartum, till 56 days post-partum) was performed on twenty-two healthy Murrah buffaloes during their advanced stage of gestation following dividing them into two groups of 11 buffaloes in each group, representing control and supplemented (Treatment) groups. Buffaloes were selected and sustained on recommended practices of feeding as per nutrient requirements, except the inclusion of CMN supplement once a week in the treatment group's buffaloes after proper mixing with common concentrate mixture being fed to buffaloes. Weekly milk production recording was carried out with analysis of milk quality parameters, for an initial 10 weeks of the lactation. Results: The treatment helped in improving the milk production record of buffaloes; total milk yield by 18 % and fat-corrected milk by 30 % (P < 0.05). It leads to qualitative improvement as well (percentage of milk fat and protein, P < 0.05). Conclusion: It may be concluded that weekly supplementation of critical micronutrients during the periparturient period helps improve buffalo milk production performance.