Comparative study of depotash vinasse and molasses as binder and production performance in lactating Murrah buffaloes

Dairy sector has recently focused a lot of attention on the addition of agricultural by-products as functional feed additives as an environmentally friendly and sustainable technology. Depotash vinasse (DPV) serves as a cheap source of nutrients and a binder for animal feed in dairy sector. However, there is little information available on the usage of depotash vinasse on animals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the role of depotash vinasse as pellet binder on nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and milk production in early lactating Murrah buffaloes. Fifteen Murrah buffaloes (daily milk yield 8.5 to 9.0 kg/day) were randomly assigned to three groups, viz., control, group 1 (G1) and group 2 (G2) on the basis of milk yield and days in milk. The control group animals received a basal diet of concentrate mix, oat greens and wheat straw, G1 animals received molasses as a binder (8%), while G2 received DPV as binder (8%). Results revealed that there was no significant effect on nutrient digestibility. Blood parameters and hepatic enzymes were statistically similar (P > 0.05). Supplementation of depotash vinasse as binder had no effect on plasma minerals and was comparable to control group. There were no changes in milk production and 6% fat-corrected milk yield in treated groups as compared to control. It was concluded that depotash vinasse (8%) may be used for pellet production with no negative impact on milk yield and composition, nutrient digestibility and blood biochemical parameters in early lactating buffaloes.