Effect of Feeding Fodder-based Balanced Ration on Animal's Productivity, Fertility and Economics of Dairying in Field Conditions

Abstract— The present study evaluated the impact of green fodder–based ration balancing on milk productivity, fertility, and economics of dairy buffaloes under on-farm conditions. On-farm trials were conducted during 2018–19 to 2020–21 in the rabi season, involving five trials per year with 15 buffaloes per treatment, comparing balanced ration feeding (T2) with farmers' practice (T1). Results revealed that buffaloes under T2 recorded consistently higher average daily milk yield (6.85 ± 0.31 to 7.21 ± 0.34 L/day) with an increase of 7.0–8.91% over T1. Fertility performance improved markedly under T2, with conception rate increasing from 13.3 to 20.0% compared to 6.67–13.3% under T1. Economic analysis showed higher net returns (₹16.35 ± 0.71 to 18.28 ± 0.80 per litre of milk) and improved benefit–cost ratio (1.69–1.71) under balanced ration feeding as against 1.57–1.59 in farmers' practice. The study demonstrated that ration balancing using green fodder enhances feed utilization efficiency, improves reproductive performance, and increases profitability. Adoption of fodder-based balanced feeding can therefore serve as a cost-effective and sustainable strategy for improving dairy buffalo productivity under field conditions.