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Comparative Efficiency of Milk Production by Sahiwal Cattle and Murrah Buffalo^1,2,

National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India

Abstract

Several experiments have been conducted in India on the utilization of feeds by cattle and buffaloes (Singh, 1933; Das Gupta, 1946; Rao, 1948; Sahai, Johri and Kehar, 1955; Ray and Mudgal, 1962; Ichhponani et al., 1962; Jang and Majumdar, 1962; Saini and Ray, 1964; Singh and Mudgal, 1967) but little attention has been given to the comparative efficiency of utilization of feed nutrients for milk production by the two species. It has been reported, however, that dry or growing buffaloes may utilize coarse feeds more efficiently than Zebu cattle (Saini and Ray, 1964; Singh and Mudgal, 1967). The current investigations were undertaken to determine the comparative utilization of feed nutrients from a balanced diet by cattle and buffaloes for milk production.

Six buffalo cows of the Murrah breed and a similar number of Sahiwal cows from the Institute herds were used during a 9-week trial. The groups represented approximately the same ranges in age, lactation number, stage of lactation and daily milk yields (table 1).

¹ Adapted from dissertation submitted by the senior author in partial requirement for M.S. at Punjab University.

² National Dairy Research Institute Publication No. 68–28.

³ Present address: Government of Madras Milk Colony, Madhavaram Dairy, Madras—51.

⁴ The authors are thankful to Dr. S. N. Ray, Director of the Institute for valuable suggestions, to Shri D. D. Sharma for help in the experiments, and to Dr. R. E. McDowell for assistance in preparing the manuscript. The senior author is also grateful to the Milk Commissioner, Madras, and the Director of Animal Husbandry, Madras, for deputing him for postgraduate studies at Karnal.