BackgroundDeficiency of macro and micro-minerals in the ration of dairy cows adversely affects growth, milk production and reproduction efficiency. It is essential to examine mineral concentrations in feeds offered to dairy cows in practical farms.MethodsTwo villages from each taluka were selected at random for taking representative samples of feeds, forages and hair. Within the village, help was sought from village milk producers and district animal husbandry officer for identification of 4 to 5 farmers and collection of representative samples. All the samples were processed and analyzed for chemical composition as well as major macro and micro-minerals, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer.ResultsCa content in wheat straw (0.29%), crushed maize (0.02%) and wheat bran (0.12%) was found to be below the critical level (0.30%). The P content in concentrate ingredients was high (0.26–0.96%), but low in dry roughages (0.06–0.12%). Cereal straws (0.14%) and grains (0.12%) were deficient in Mg. Feeds and forages were found to be adequate in K (1.50%). Cereals straws were found to be deficient in S (0.11%). Greens were good source of Cu (12.02 ppm). Wheat straw was found to be low in Zn (18 ppm), but high in Mn (225 ppm) and Fe (509 ppm). Local grasses and azolla green were found to be rich source of Co (>1.00 ppm). Se (0.63 ppm) was present in appreciable quantities in most of the feedstuffs.ConclusionsFrom the present study, it was apparent that the feeds and forages available in the state of Jharkhand may not meet the requirements for Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn and Co in order to sustain a milk production of ~10 kg/day. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement these deficient minerals through area specific mineral mixture in the ration of dairy cows for improving productivity and reproduction efficiency.

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Poor feeding during pre-natal, neonatal and post-natal stages of calves leads to higher age at first calving and overall loss of productive life. Supplying calves an optimal nutrition right from the prenatal stage is vital for their growth and development, and it also allows calves to express their full genetic potential for milk production and reproductive efficiency during the entire lifespan. Maternal nutrition during the last trimester is considered important to genetic programming in utero. The influence of maternal nutrition also reaches the neonatal calf through hormones, growth factors and immune-stimulants incorporated into colostrum, milk and milk replacers. The key is to accelerate the rate of maturation of the calf's ruminal papillae (rumen wall) through the provision of calf starter and grower feeds and good-quality roughages, which favour the digestion of larger proportions of fodder at an early age. Feeding and management practices to promote these processes in crossbred calves are well established; however, in most of the developing nations little is known about these processes in buffalo calves and indigenous (Bos indicus) cow calves. Feeding buffalo calves and indigenous cow calves on scientific lines, and rearing them using improved management practices to assist the animals reach puberty sooner, are central factors for improving their productivity and productive life in tropical and sub-tropical regions. By 2050, people living in these regions are estimated to consume about 70% of the additional milk produced.

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