Feed supplements for buffaloes

Buffaloes are like cattle, ruminants. This means the utilize microorganisms in the rumen to digest the feed. The components of the animal feed supplements can be broken down into protein, energy, fat, minerals and water. To be correct, one is actually not feeding the buffalo, but its’ microbes. Ruminants are entirely dependent on the function of the rumen microbes. Therefore, it is important to keep the rumen environment healthy. The easiest and best way is to feed a high amount of good quality roughage and a smaller amount of good quality concentrate.

Almost all protein is attacked by microbes and utilised in their metabolism and incorporated as microbial mass. Microbial protein is of high quality and is absorbed by the amino acids after being digested by the gastric enzymes. Buffaloes require protein feed supplements for growth, tissue repair, milk production and other things. Grain, forage and oil-seed cakes are a good source of protein.

On the other hand, carbohydrates are a predominant source of energy for ruminants. Starch is degraded by animal gastric enzymes whereas fibres cannot. For buffaloes, fiber in the form of roughage is the most important and cheapest energy source. When calculating feed ratios for buffaloes, the term metabolizable energy is used. The gross energy of the feed is the amount present in the feed. Much of the energy is converted into heat which is lost through thermal regulation. Energy is also lost in the faeces and urine as well as in the methane and carbon dioxide gases.

Vitamins for buffaloes are also essential. They are needed for total body function. Most vitamins are synthesized by the animal or its rumen microbes. Vitamins A and E are not synthesized in the animal but must be supplied. Vitamin A is found in silage, fresh grass, dark green leaves, peas and carrots. Cereals are a source of vitamin E.

Mineral nutrition for cows and buffaloes should be given in the form of an animal feed supplement mixture. Vitamins may be included in the mineral feed, but vitamins are more sensitive and may be destroyed if kept in sunlight. Care must therefore be taken to store vitamin supplements correctly.

Just like protein, mineral, vitamins and carbs, water too is essential for most body functions such as body temperature control, milk production and maintaining blood plasma volume. Thermal regulation of the animal is the most water consuming process

If buffaloes are given these animal feed supplements, they will remain healthy forever.

RS Cattle Feeds is one of the best Cattle, Animal and Poultry feed Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters in Tamil Nadu, India. We Supply a highly protein animal feeds that boost milk yield rate.