Pure Appl. Biol.

, 7(4): 1171-1176, December, 2018

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700136

Research Article

Effect of replacing maize fodder with

maize silage on feed intake, digestibility
and milk yield of early-lactation Nili
Ravi buffaloes
Rafiuddin1,2*, Jalees Ahmed Bhatti1, Muhammad Qamer Shahid1,
Muhammad Saadullah1, Hamid Mustafa1, Mehtab Ahmad2,
Muhammad Akbar Nasar2, Rehmanullah Khan3 and Asghar Khan2
1. Department of Livestock Production, Ravi Campus, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore-
Pakistan
2. Department of Livestock and Dairy Development Spinny Road Quetta-Pakistan
3. Department of Dairy Technology, Ravi Campus, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore-
Pakistan
*Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]
Citation
Rafiuddin, Jalees Ahmed Bhatti, Muhammad Qamer Shahid, Muhammad Saadullah, Hamid Mustafa, Mehtab
Ahmad, Muhammad Akbar Nasar, Rehmanullah Khan and Asghar Khan. Effect of replacing maize fodder with
maize silage on feed intake, digestibility and milk yield of early-lactation Nili Ravi buffaloes. Pure and Applied
Biology. Vol. 7, Issue 4, pp1171-1176. http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700136
Received: 13/07/2018 Revised: 27/08/2018 Accepted: 29/08/2018 Online First: 30/08/2018
Abstract
The objective of current study was to assess the effect of replacing maize fodder with maize silage on
productive performance of early-lactation buffaloes. Sixteen primiparous Nili Ravi buffaloes in early
lactation (40±10 days in milk), with similar milk yield were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups
(4 animals /group). Feed was offered ad libitum as a total mixed ration (TMR) with forage to concentrate
ratio of 60 to 40% on dry matter basis. The dietary treatments included control (MFA; maize fodder
60% of TMR), MS20 (20% maize silage + 40% maize fodder), MS40 (40% maize silage + 20% maize
fodder), and MSA (maize silage 60% of TMR). Treatments continued for 90 days. The results revealed
that highest dry matter intake was recorded in MFA (17.99 ± 0.06 kg/d; mean ± SE) and lowest in MSA
(16.22 ± 0.07). Similar pattern was observed for crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent
fiber intakes. Dry matter digestibility was highest in MFA (64.49 ± 0.54 %) and lowest in MSA (60.17
± 0.75). Daily milk yield was significantly (P<0.05) higher in MFA (8.97 ± 0.12) followed by MS20
(8.61 ± 0.09), MS40 (8.45 ± 0.10), and MSA (8.31 ± 0.07). The MFA and MS20 groups had lower fat
(6.76 ± 0.10 and 6.76 ± 0.11 %) compared to MS40 and MSA (7.18 ± 0.14 and 7.17 ± 0.12 %). In
conclusion, the buffaloes fed on TMR with lower silage levels performed better than buffaloes on higher
silage levels.
Keywords: Buffaloes; Digestibility; Maize silage; Milk yield
Introduction leftovers. In peri urban areas, the dairy
Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is the major buffalo is kept for commercial purposes and
dairy animal in Pakistan, contributing about raised on wheat straw based TMR along
67% of total milk production in the country with small quantity of fresh fodder. The
[1]. Most of the buffaloes are raised in rural seasonal fodder production poses a
areas in small herds (< 3 animals) and are challenge for dairy farmers to feed their
fed seasonal fodders or cereal crop animals when fodder supply is limited

Published by Bolan Society for Pure and Applied Biology 1171

 Rafiuddin et al.

especially during summer (May-July) and maize fodder), and MSA (maize silage,
winter (November - January) months [2]. 60% of TMR). The treatment diets were
Silage is a viable solution to ensure fodder offered for 90 days. The experimental diets
supply during lean periods [3]. differed in roughage source with varying
Despite benefits of silages, it has been level of silage whereas concentrate was
reported that the DM intake was lower in similar for all TMRs. The chemical
silage fed dairy cows due to the composition of all 4 diets is presented in
fermentation products causing lower pH in (Table 1).
silages [4]. Also, DM content of silages Feed intake, milk production and milk
might also affect the DM intake in dairy composition
cattle [5]. In dairy buffaloes, the silage The TMR was prepared daily and measured
feeding has not been extensively researched quantity was offered twice a day (morning
[6]. Under such scenario, a study was and evening) at ad libitum (10% feed
needed to explore the effect of fodder refusal) to each animal. The feed refused
replacement with silage in lactating dairy was collected every morning before
buffaloes. offering fresh feed. Dry matter intake and
The objective of present study was to milk yield were recorded daily, milk
investigate the effect of maize fodder samples were collected weekly and
replacement with maize silage on analyzed for fat, protein and lactose by milk
productive performance in lactating dairy analyzer (Lactoscan-S, Milkotronic Ltd.,
buffaloes. Bulgaria).
Materials and methods The intake of DM, CP, NDF and ADF for
Experimental animals and housing each animal was recorded daily, whereas,
The experiment was carried out at Buffalo body weights of all animals was taken
Research Institute, Pattoki, District Kasur, monthly. Milk yield was recorded daily
Pakistan. The experiment was started on (morning and evening).
October 20, 2013 and ended on January 20, Digestibility trial
2014. Sixteen primiparous Nili Ravi Three days digestibility trial was carried out
buffaloes in early lactation (40±10 days in in the last week of experiment as described
milk) having similar milk yield were by [7]. One animal from each group was
selected from the herd. The buffaloes were randomly selected for the trial. Fecal grab
kept in naturally ventilated shed and were samples were collected for every 3 h
individually tied. The partitions were made interval during 24 h with a total of 8
at manger to record individual feed intake samples daily [8]. For each collection, 50 g
and rubber tubs were provided for free of sample was weighed and composited to
access of water. Before the start of the form one sample per animal.
experiment, all animals were vaccinated Sample preparation and chemical
and dewormed according to the farm analysis
protocol. Feed, orts and fecal samples were dried in
Treatment diets the oven at 60˚C for 72 h and analyzed for
The selected buffaloes were randomly DM%, percent digestibility and proximate
divided into 4 treatment groups with 4 analysis. The samples were analyzed for CP
animals in each group. The feed was [9], NDF, and ADF [10] at Animal
offered ad libitum as a TMR with forage to Nutrition Laboratory, Ravi campus, UVAS.
concentrate ratio of 60 to 40% on dry matter The gross energy of the feed samples was
basis. The dietary treatments included determined by IKA C-2000 Bomb
control (MFA; maize fodder 60% of TMR), Calorimeter, while metabolizable energy
MS20 (20% maize silage and 40% maize (ME) was calculated as 63% of the gross
fodder), MS40 (40% maize silage and 20% energy [11].

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http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700136

Table 1. Ingredients and chemical composition of four experimental diets

Experimental diets1
Ingredients (% of DM) MFA MS20 MS40 MSA
Maize fodder 60.00 40.00 20.00 ------
Maize silage ------- 20.00 40.00 60.00
Cotton seed cake 04.00 04.00 04.00 04.00
Canola meal 10.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
Soybean meal 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00
Maize grain 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Rice polishing 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Molasses 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Minerals Mixture 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Total (%) 100 100 100 100
DM (%) 25.6 28.5 32.0 35.6
Chemical composition (% of DM)
Crude protein 16.93 16.69 16.45 16.21
Neutral detergent fiber 38.70 39.10 40.35 41.70
Acid detergent fiber 22.78 23.06 24.02 25.47
Gross energy (cal/g) 4037 3986 3968 3942
1
Four experimental diets (60:40 forage: concentrate ratio; DM basis) i.e. MFA (maize fodder 60% of TMR), MS20
(20% maize silage and 40% maize fodder), MS40 (40% maize silage and 20% maize fodder), and MSA (maize
silage 60% of TMR)

Statistical analysis increasing silage inclusion in TMR. Milk

The collected data were analyzed by one- fat was higher in MS40 and MSA
way ANOVA technique under completely (7.18±0.14 and 7.17±0.12) treatment
randomized design using SAS (SAS 9.1.3 groups, and lower in MFA and MS20
Portable; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). groups (6.76±0.10 and 6.76±0.11),
Differences between treatment means were respectively (Table 2). Similarly, solid not
tested through Duncan’s multiple range fat (SNF), protein, and lactose were also
test. significantly (P<0.05) higher in silage
Results based TMR groups as compared to fresh
Feed intake, milk production and milk fodder group (Table 2).
composition Digestibility
Dry matter intake significantly decreased Dry matter digestibility decreased with
with increasing level of maize silage in increasing level of silage in TMR (Table 2).
TMR (P < 0.05; Table 2). The highest DMI Dry matter digestibility was significantly
was recorded in MFA (17.99±0.06 kg/d) (P<0.05) higher in buffaloes fed MFA diet
followed by MS20 (17.81±0.06), MS40 (64.49±0.54%) followed by MS20
(17.68±0.06) and MSA (16.22±0.07). A (62.07±0.20), MS40 (60.81±0.45) and
similar trend was observed for CP, NDF MSA (60.17±0.75; Table 2). The CP
and ADF intake (Table 2). digestibility was significantly (P<0.05)
The increasing level of silage in TMR higher in MFA diet (72.90±0.32%)
negatively affected milk yield in dairy compared to all others (Table 2). All the
buffaloes (Table 2). The average milk yield three silage-based diets had similar CP
was significantly (P<0.05) higher in MFA digestibility (Table 2). Similarly, highest
(8.97±0.12 kg/d) followed by MS20 NDF digestibility (53.07±0.50%) was
(8.61±0.09), MS40 (8.45±0.10) and MSA observed in MFA group followed by MS20
(8.31±0.07; Table 2). The milk composition (51.78±0.29), MS40 (50.93±0.34) and
showed contrary trends as that of milk yield MSA (50.67±0.18; Table 2).
(Table 2). Milk fat % increased with
 Rafiuddin et al.

Table 2. Performance of Nili Ravi buffaloes fed different levels of Maize silage
Experimental diets1
Item MFA MS20 MS40 MSA
DM, kg/d 17.99±0.06a 17.81±0.06b 17.68±0.06b 16.22±0.07c
CP, kg/d 3.23±0.01a 3.19±0.02b 3.15±0.01c 2.86±0.01d
NDF, kg/d 9.48±0.06a 9.44±0.04a 9.23±0.08b 8.75±0.04c
a
ADF, kg/d 4.58±0.01 4.51±0.02b 4.35±0.02c 4.27±0.02d
a
Milk yield, kg/d 8.97±0.12 8.61±0.09b 8.45±0.10bc 8.31±0.07c
Milk composition%
Fat 6.76±0.10b 6.76±0.11b 7.18±0.14a 7.17±0.12a
b
SNF 10.15±0.05 10.32±0.07a 10.37±0.05a 10.35±0.05a
b
Protein 3.94±0.02 4.05±0.03a 4.06±0.02a 4.06±0.03a
Lactose 5.31±0.03b 5.45±0.04a 5.47±0.02a 5.44±0.03a
b
Ash 0.83±0.003 0.84±0.006a 0.84±0.003a 0.84±0.004a
Digestibility%
DM 64.49±0.54a 62.07±0.20b 60.81±0.45bc 60.17±0.75d
CP 72.90±0.32a 70.89±0.28b 70.70±0.27b 70.11±0.27b
NDF 53.07±0.50a 51.78±0.29b 50.93±0.34bc 50.67±0.18c
a,b,c
Values with different superscripts within a row are statistically different (P < 0.05).
1
Four experimental diets (60:40 forage: concentrate ratio; DM basis) i.e. MFA (maize fodder 60% of TMR), MS20
(20% maize silage and 40% maize fodder), MS40 (40% maize silage and 20% maize fodder), and MSA (maize
silage 60% of TMR)

Discussion NDF and ADF intake in high fodder groups

Feed intake, milk production and milk (MFA and MS20) in present study was
composition similar to previous findings [6, 12, 13]. The
The current findings of decreased DM lower DM intake in silage-based groups
intake for silage fed buffaloes were in line might also have lowered the NDF intake.
with previous studies conducted on Decreased ruminal pH in silage fed diets
buffaloes. The study on buffaloes [6] might also have affected the degradation of
reported a decrease in DM intake in NDF due to higher lactic acid contents and
berseem silage fed lactating buffaloes. thus reduced NDF intake.
They attributed the decrease in DM intake Higher milk yield in high fodder compared
to the presence of fermentation products in to high silage-based diet was in line to [6]
silage. Similarly, the replacement of Jambo who reported higher milk yield in berseem
grass (Sorghum bicolour Sorghum fodder compared to berseem silage diets.
sudanefe) with Jambo grass silage in Nili Likewise, a higher milk yield was reported
Ravi buffaloes decreased DM intake of in sorghum grass than sorghum silage [12].
silage fed animals [12]. Likewise, a study Higher milk yield could be due to higher
[4] explained that low pH due to the DM intake in fodder-based diets. Increased
fermentation products in silages might milk fat % in our study was similar to [12]
cause the decrease in DM intake. The who found higher milk fat in silage-based
replacement of maize fodder with maize diets. The acetate is a major end product of
silage had the same effect on DM intake as lactate fermentation, the conversion of
that of other silage crops. Decreased CP lactic acid content of silage-based diets to
intake with increasing silage ratio was in acetate might have improved the milk fat
accordance to what has been reported contents [14]. Increased protein content in
previously [6, 12]. The degradation of CP current study was similar to [15] who found
to non-protein nitrogen during ensiling increase in milk protein concentration in
process could explain the decreased CP silage fed diets and attributed that to
intake in silage fed animals [4]. The higher efficient microbial protein synthesis.
Pure Appl. Biol., 7(4): 1171-1176, December, 2018
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700136

Digestibility Acknowledgments
The current results of lower DM, CP, and The authors are obliged to Higher
NDF digestibility in silage-based TMR Education Commission of Pakistan for
were in line with previous studies [6, 12]. providing financial assistance to conduct
The higher digestibility in fodder-based this study. The authors also acknowledge
diets could be due to higher concentration the farm staff at Buffalo Research Institute,
of soluble carbohydrates and lower lignin for their assistance in conducting the
content in the fodder than that of its silage feeding trial.
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