Dairy animals - II

It's a major area of thirst to establish a research plan so that the mapping of the minerals status can be done in different zones, in order to cope with the prevailing mineral deficiencies.
In this situation, the present study was conducted in University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore to evaluate the mineral status of ten canal irrigated districts of Punjab by estimating the mineral status of soil, water, feed and forages, and animal's blood plasma.
In first experiment status of calcium and phosphorus in livestock of ten districts of canal irrigated zones of Punjab, based on water, feedstuffs, soil and blood analyses were done. Results of the study showed imbalances in minerals status of livestock. This variation in calcium and phosphorus profile requires minerals supplementation, especially calcium and phosphorus according to area, species and physiological status of the animals. Variation in minerals status of livestock might be due to different feeding practices, difference in soil fertility, environment, stage of maturity and species of fodder crops. The foremost advantage of the study is the provision of guidelines in formulating the premixes and balanced feed for livestock in the study area to initiate prophylactic measures against factors that are badly taxing the current productivity of livestock of various categories in future.
In second experiment, effect of varying dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus on bioavailability of macro and micro-minerals in lactating Sahiwal cows was determined. For this purpose 6 rations were prepared with varying levels of calcium and phosphorus. It was observed that increased level of calcium decreased absorption of Zn, K and Mg. High levels of phosphorus and calcium decreased absorption and increased their excretion casing environmental pollution.
In third experiment, effect of varying dietary levels of calcium and phosphorus on efficacy of exogenous phytase in lactating Sahiwal cows was studied. In this experiment, 12 rations were prepared. Out of 12 rations, 6 were supplemented with 500 FTU phytase/kg of DM. It was concluded that addition of exogenous phytase decreased P excretion and increased its absorption significantly. It also increased absorption of calcium and Zn to some extent. It was obvious that by adding exogenous phytase, we may decrease phosphorus excretion helping in protecting environment from this pollutant.
It is concluded that before planning to supplement the dairy animals with calcium and phosphorus, feed and mineral status must be known. Addition of proper dose of calcium and phosphorus not only saved cost but also decreased environmental pollution. Addition of increased level of these minerals also interfered with absorption of other macro-minerals and micro-minerals. Use of exogenous phytase can be a tool to decrease the phosphorous excretion.