Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the mineral and heavy metal content in drinking water and document itseffect on productivity performance of dairy buffaloes. Twenty five dairy farms were selected having 10 to 122 buffaloes.Data were collected regarding milk yield, body condition score (BCS) and services per conception (SPC). Representativesamples were collected from the water used for the dairy animals. One liter water samples were collected from each ofthe dairies drinking troughs and analyzed for Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, and Pb. Water analysis was performed byatomic absorption spectrophotometry. Milk yield was positively affected by Mn and negatively by Fe, Zn and Pb. BCSwas adversely affected by Fe and Mg, and positively by Zn and Cd. Iron in drinking water significantly (P<0.05) reducedmilk yield, body condition score and increase services per conception. The watering frequency negatively affected milkproduction and BCS (P<0.01) while significantly increasing SPC (P<0.05). It is concluded that free access to drinkingwater positively affected milk yield, body condition and fertility. An increase in body condition was noted with higherZn intake in the drinking water. The higher intake of lead was associated with depressed milk yield. The present study clearly shows the importance of water quality in dairy animals. For quality food products for human consumption,appropriate legislation are required for drinking water used for livestock rearing and quality monitoring of food products
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 96-101 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | Supplement No 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 2012 |
