Abdul Majeed Ganai

Prospects of complete feed system in ruminant feeding: A review

Effective utilization of available feed resources is the key for economical livestock rearing. Complete feed system is one of the latest developments to exploit the potential of animal feed resources in the best possible way. The complete feed is a quantitative mixture of all dietary ingredients, blended thoroughly to prevent separation and selection, fed as a sole source of nutrients except water and is formulated in a desired proportion to meet the specific nutrient requirements. The concentrate and roughage levels may vary according to the nutrient requirement of ruminants for different production purposes. The complete feed with the use of fibrous crop residue is a noble way to increase the voluntary feed intake and thus animal’s production performance. In this system of feeding, the ruminant animals have continuous free choice availability of uniform feed mixture, resulting in more uniform load on the rumen and less fluctuation in release of ammonia which supports more efficient utilization of ruminal non-protein nitrogen. Feeding complete diet stabilizes ruminal fermentation, thereby improves nutrient utilization. This feeding system allows expanded use of agro-industrial byproducts, crop residues and nonconventional feeds in ruminant ration for maximizing production and minimizing feeding cost, thus being increasingly appreciated. However, to extend the concept extensively to the field and make this technology successful and viable for farmers, more efforts are needed to be taken.

Effects of Mentha piperita on In Vitro Fermentation and Digestibility of Complete Rations for Small Ruminants

The work was undertaken to study the effects of Mentha piperita (Pudina) on in vitro fermentation and digestibility using rumen liquor from sheep. The M. piperita was analysed for chemical composition. Different experimental rations were prepared with incorporation of M. piperita in the complete feed @ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%. The digestibility improved (P< 0.05) at 3% addition in complete feed beyond which a significant (P<0.05) decline was observed in NDF digestibility. The pH and NPN levels were not affected by addition of Mentha, however, significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in TVFA, total nitrogen and TCA preciptiable nitrogen beyond 3% fortification level. Ammonia nitrogen was found to be lower (P<0.05) beyond 3% fortification levels. It was concluded that Mentha at 3% level improved (P<0.05) digestibility of nutrients and rumen fermentation in vitro.