Abstract
A series of five experiments were conducted to find out the existing feeding management
practices, productive performance, milk quality, milk marketing approaches in different agroclimatic zones of Bangladesh and formulate ration containing appropriate level of protein in
concentrate feed for lactating buffaloes. First experiment was designed to collect data on
different parameters by using pretested structured questionnaire under Bhola (Coastal area),
Mymensingh (River basin area) and Dinajpur (Drought area) districts to know feeding
management practices of buffaloes reared by the farmers under village management condition.
The analysis indicated that adult non earning member and children of school age but not
attending school acted as working force for buffalo rearing in the household. Highest number
of lactating buffaloes was found in coastal area followed by drought and river basin area.
Farmers of the study area were not fully aware about the improve technologies for lactating
buffalo management. The average grazing time of buffalo was 5.86±1.57, 8.02±0.59 and 0.00±.00
hour in a day in coastal, river basin and drought areas, respectively (p<0.001). Concentrate feed
and green grass supplied were not same in all areas. The second experiment was conducted to
assess the productive performance of dairy buffaloes, milk quality and marketing approaches
in the same area where first experiment was conducted. From the result of this experiment, it
was observed that average lactation yield were not same in different agro climatic zones of
Bangladesh (p<0.001) and lactation yield of river basin and drought areas were double than
that of coastal area. Lactation length also differed among the areas. Milk yield of 2nd stage of
lactation was higher in all areas. Milk yield of different parity also differed significantly in
different areas. All the chemical components of milk in different areas were within normal
range and they differ significantly (p<0.05) within areas except milk fat content which was
nearly similar in all areas. Milk trading and consumption pattern did not depend on milk price,
as it was ranged from 41-72 BDT/L milk. The third experiment was a feeding trial which was
conducted at Buffalo Research Farm of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka
with native lactating buffaloes to monitor the effects of different levels of protein in concentrate
mixture on their performance. Three groups of lactating buffaloes having similar milk yield and
body weight were given three different concentrate diets separately and they were designated
as T1 (14% CP & 70% TDN in concentrate mixture), T2 (16% CP & 70% TDN in concentrate
mixture), & T3 (18% CP & 70% TDN in concentrate mixture) diets. In addition to concentrates
Napier grass silage was given to buffaloes of all groups ad libitum. Performances of buffaloes in
terms of milk yield, composition and increase in body weight were better in T2 diet (16%
concentrates). In 4th experiment 16% CP and 70% TDN containing concentrates were used and
variations were made on the amount of concentrates. Three groups of buffaloes were given
three levels of concentrates on the basis of body weight and the diets were, T1 (30% of dry
matter calculated on 2.5% of body weight), T2 (30% of dry matter calculated on 3.0% of body
weight), T3 (30% of dry matter calculated on 3.5% of body weight). Together with concentrates
napier grass silage was given ad libitum basis to all groups. The result showed that performance
of diet Th was better in comparison to others. The last experiment (5th) was conducted in village
areas in which T₁ diet of 4th experiment was selected for validation trial. Ten lactating buffaloes
having similar body weight and milk yield were divided in to two groups and provided two
diets viz. Farmers' traditional feeding us improved feeding (T₁ diet of 4th experiment)
developed from on station trial. Ad libitum native mix grass was supplied to both groups.
Improved diet which was developed in on station trial performed better under village
condition. Finally judging from the results of feeding trial it could be concluded that a
concentrate mixture having 16% CP and 70% TDN given on the basis of 30% of the DM
calculated on 2.5% of the body weight was found better for our native lactating buffaloes.