Effect of steaming-up primiparous nili ravi buffaloes on subsequent productive and reproductive performance

Improved feeding during pre-calving phase affects the Body Condition Score (BCS) that subsequently dictate the postcalving productive and reproductive performance. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of three levels of concentrate supplementation [0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of body weight (BW)] during pre-calving period on post-calving reproductive and lactation performance in Nili Ravi buffalo heifers. Twenty-six pregnant Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers at 150 +/- 20 [Mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] days in pregnancy with (BW=516 +/- 57 KG, BCS (1-5) =3.98 +/- 0.18) were selected and divided into three treatment groups; Low (n=8), Medium (n=9) and High (n=9) and allocated three dietary treatments. The treatments were basal diets composed of green fodder [dry matter (DM) = 2.0% of body weight (BW)] with three levels of Concentrates (CP=20.9 %, ME= 2.62 Mcal/kg) i.e. 0.5 (Low), 1.0 (Medium), and 1.5% (High) of the BW. The animals received same feed (forage DM at the rate of 2% of BW and concentrate at 0.5 kg per liter of milk produced on as fed basis) after calving. Increasing concentrate supplies from 0.5 to 1.5% of BW increased pre-calving dry matter intake (DMI), however, it didn't affect BW and BCS at calving. Increased concentrate supply at 1.5% of BW resulted in decrease in post calving conception rate to 33% as compared to 75 and 77.8% at 0.5 and 1.0% of BW concentrate supply. The treatment High decreased lactation length (15%) and yield (17%) as compared to Low and Medium treatment. Pre-calving supplementation of concentrate beyond 0.5% of BW showed no improvement of postcalving productive and reproductive performance. In the given dietary situation, the Nili Ravi heifers didn't require more than 0.5% of BW concentrate along with 2.0% of BW green fodder DM during post 150 days of pregnancy.