Proximate Composition and Mineral Profile of Locally Available Fccdstuffs in Northern Hilly Areas of Kashmir Valley

A field study was conducted in 2010 in the hilly areas of Kashmir valley viz. Kupwara, Handwara and Karnah (2010), situated in middle greater North Western Himalayas to find out the proximate composition (DM, CP, CF, EE, ADF, NDF, ash) and mineral profile (Ca, P, Zn, Cu and Fe) of the locally available feedstuffs. Dry matter (DM) content in the available feeds and fodders ranged from 85.5% (wheat straw) to 90.6% (wheat bran). The crude protein (CP) value on DM basis varied from 3.3% in wheat straw to 35.7% in mustard oil cake (MOC). Ether extract (EE) ranged from 1.7% (maize straw) to 10.2% (MOC). The content of crude fibre (CF) ranged from 7.7% in MOC to 39% in wheat straw. The highest value of acid detergent fibre was found in paddy straw (53%) and its lowest value was observed in wheat bran (10.6%). The value of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) varied from 2.5% in MOC to 78% in wheat straw. Total ash (TA) content was highest in maize straw (15.2%) and lowest of 6.3% in MOC. The calcium concentration in the available fodders was adequate (>0.30%) and ranged from 0.36% to 1.63%. The mean phosphorus concentration ranged from 0.13 to 1.10%. Phosphorus content in roughages (except local grasses and wheat straw) was found to be deficient. The concentration (ppm) of various micro minerals like Zn, Cu and Fe in the available feeds and fodders ranged from 3.53 to 11.79, 2.41 to 3.50 and 139.1 to 328.1, respectively.