Effect of polyherbal galactogogue supplementation on milk yield and quality as well as general health of Surti buffaloes of South Gujarat

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.