Aim: A polyherbal galactogogue based on indigenous knowledge of tribles (Bhagats)
belonging to Patalkot (Madhya Pradesh), Dangs (Gujarat) and Aravallis
(Rajasthan) was evaluated on lactating Surti buffaloes (medium sized buffalo
breed of South Gujarat which is best suitable for small and marginal farmers as
well as landless labourers/tribal with less input resources).
Materials and
Methods: A total of 22 lactating Surti buffaloes maintained at Livestock
Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Gujarat, India were randomly
allotted to treatment and control group (11 buffaloes in each group). Two
polyherbal galactogogue biscuits (19 g each) per day for initial 10 days of the
month over a period of three months were supplemented to buffaloes in treatment
group. The daily milk yield of all 22 buffaloes was recorded. Milk samples from
all experimental buffaloes at fortnight interval were analyzed on automatic milk
analyzer. The pooled gain/loss of BCS in all the buffaloes was worked out. DMI
(%) were also worked out by averaging all fortnight observations.
Results:
A significant higher (p<0.05) total milk yield (14.24 %) of treatment group
was recorded. The effect of polyherbal galactogogue biscuits was non-significant
on milk compositions. Dry matter intake / 100 kg body weight (DMI %) was found
significantly (p<0.01) better in treatment over control. The buffaloes of
treatment group had lost significantly (p<0.01) lesser body condition scoring (BCS)
than control however, both groups had lost BCS from initial BCS. The net profit
of treatment was Rs.339.90/animal/month higher than control and calculated
cost-benefit ratio of treatment and control groups was 1:1.62 and 1:1.52
respectively.
Conclusion: It was concluded that supplementary feeding of
polyherbal galactogogue to lactating Surti buffaloes is cost effectively
beneficial for milk yield and general health condition.
Keywords: body
condition scoring, DMI, milk yield, net return, poly herbal galactogogue, surti
buffaloes
