This study evaluated the effects of incorporating 30% locally produced hemp cake into the diet of organically reared laying hens. A total of 280 Hy-Line Brown hens (18 weeks of age) were randomly allocated to two dietary treatments: a commercial control diet based on sunflower cake and soybean seeds as the main protein sources (Control_D), and an experimental diet in which these ingredients were partially replaced with 30% locally produced hemp cake (Hemp_D). Each treatment consisted of two replicate pens of 70 hens, and data were collected over a 16-week experimental period following dietary adaptation. Egg production was recorded daily, whereas egg quality was evaluated at the end of the experimental period. Behavioral time budgets were analyzed using instantaneous scan sampling, while production costs per egg and environmental impact were estimated through feed-cost analysis and life cycle assessment, respectively. The Hemp_D did not affect laying performance, egg weight, or egg mass. Yolk fatty acid composition was significantly modified by hemp cake inclusion, with higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, increased omega-3 content, and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, whereas egg physical traits and sensory acceptability were largely unaffected. Hen behavior and spatial distribution were not influenced by diet. The inclusion of hemp cake increased feed-related production costs and the CO2-equivalent environmental impact compared with Control_D. Overall, hemp cake can be included at high levels in organic laying hen diets without impairing performance, behavior, or egg sensory quality, while improving egg nutritional value. However, the environmental and economic outcomes underscore the need for targeted policy measures and continued research aimed at optimizing hemp cultivation practices and reinforcing sustainable, locally based feed supply chains.

Under the current climate change scenario and due to its lower irrigation water requirement, sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) meal has been proposed as a viable option in ruminant diet to replace corn meal. The aim of the present study was to evaluate animal performance and in vivo digestibility of lactating buffaloes fed a total mixed ration in which sorghum or corn meal was the primary energy source. Twenty multiparous buffaloes were equally divided into two balanced dietary groups fed the same basal diet supplemented with sorghum meal (Sorghum diet) or corn meal (Corn diet). After a 2-week adaptation period, feed intake and milk yield and components, including somatic cell count and coagulation characteristics, were recorded for 5 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, in vivo nutrient digestibility was assessed using acid insoluble ash as a marker of indigestibility. The use of sorghum meal did not negatively effect on dry matter intake, body weight, or body condition score. Milk yield did not differ between the diets, nor did the content of milk macro components and coagulation characteristics. However, milk urea concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) in buffaloes fed the sorghum-based diet, indicating reduced dietary nitrogen utilisation. Additionally, these buffaloes exhibited a significant reduction in total tract starch digestibility (-2.8% points, p < 0.05) and a tendency towards lower crude protein digestibility (p = 0.06). We concluded that corn meal can be replaced by sorghum meal in the diet of lactating buffaloes without affecting their productive performance.

This study aimed to assess whether the fertilizing effects of compost (Com) and vermicompost (VCom) applied to a preceding wheat crop, either alone or in combination with microbial biofertilizers (MBF; arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria), could sustain forage maize yield across contrasting soil textures. A split–split plot trial was conducted in 2023 in sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Treatments included Com, VCom, standard mineral nitrogen fertilization, and unfertilized control, each tested with or without MBF inoculation. Maize was harvested at the milk–dough stage and assessed for biomass yield, dry matter partitioning, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility. Interactions among factors were frequent, particularly with soil texture, but overall, Com and VCom sustained biomass yield and forage quality, especially when combined with MBF. Notably, in loamy soil, VCom coupled with MBF (38.4 t ha−1) outperformed mineral fertilization (32.9 t ha−1). Across soils, loam produced the highest dry matter yield (27.0 t ha−1) and sand the lowest (23.7 t ha−1), while clay showed variable responses depending on the amendment–MBFs combination. All plots treated with the MBFconsistently exhibited higher yields compared to their respective controls, with an average increase of 52.6% across texture and fertilization strategies. Fertilization strategy and soil texture slightly yet significantly affected maize chemical composition, while digestibility remained largely preserved. Crude protein concentration peaked under mineral fertilization in loamy soil (8.3% dry matter). These findings highlight the potential of bio-based fertilizers, especially when integrated with microbial inoculants, to reduce mineral nitrogen dependency and support the sustainable intensification of forage maize.

This study investigated the feasibility of integrating feed-grade hempseed (FG-HS), an emerging by-product of the oil industry, into organic poultry production, focusing on its impact on growth performance, slaughter yield, and quality traits of meat in medium-growing chickens. Soybean expeller cake (SBE) was used for comparison. One hundred and twenty 21-day-old chickens were assigned to three dietary groups, each consisting of two replicates of twenty chickens. Treatments included a control diet containing 30 % SBE and two experimental diets with FG-HS replacing SBE at 50 % (H15) or 100 % (H30). Trial lasted 14 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, birds were sacrificed for carcass evaluation, including welfare-related traits. Rheological, nutritional, and sensory properties of breast meat were also evaluated. Birds fed the H30 diet showed a trend toward lower incidence of footpad dermatitis (P = 0.06), cleaner plumage (P < 0.03), higher final live weight (P < 0.05), and heavier viscera (P < 0.05) compared to the SBE and H15 groups. No effects of diet were found for eviscerated carcass weights, commercial cut yield or meat quality traits such as composition, amino acid profile, water holding capacity, and Warner-Bratzler shear force. Notably, FG-HS inclusion significantly reduced saturated fatty acid levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 for H30 and H15 diets, respectively), while increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The H30 diet enhanced overall flavor intensity (P < 0.01) and significantly reduced (P < 0.01) fibrousness, gumminess, and mouth residue. Results suggest that FG-HS can be successfully integrated into broiler diets at inclusion rates up to 30 % without compromising bird growth performance, carcass and meat traits. Moreover, FG-HS at the highest inclusion level shows potential for enhancing breast meat quality in terms of fatty acid profile and sensory characteristics.

To enhance the sustainability of marginal olive and dairy farms in the Sorrento peninsula, two separate crossover trials were conducted on two farms in the area to evaluate olive pruning residue (OlPr) and olive mill leaves (OlLes) as forage sources for lactating cows. Each trial lasted six weeks and consisted of two treatment periods, each including a 15-day adaptation phase followed by a 6-day measurement phase. During the measurement phase, milk production, feed intake, and olive residue consumption were assessed for two homogeneous cow groups: one receiving a ration supplemented with olive by-products and the other receiving a control diet. The olive-supplemented groups exhibited higher dry matter intake and roughage consumption (hay + olive residue) compared to the control groups. The intake of OlLes was about 30% higher than that of OlPr. Compared to the respective control, milk from OlLe-fed cows a had higher fat content and a higher fat-to-protein ratio, a more favorable fatty acid composition in terms of higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid contents, a reduced atherogenic index, and a saturated-to-unsaturated ratio. Likely due to the lower level of olive by-product ingestion, only marginal differences were observed in milk fatty acid composition of cows fed OlPr compared to the control. We conclude that the use of OlLes in dairy cow diets may represent a promising strategy for improving milk quality, promoting a more circular agricultural system, reducing reliance on external feed inputs, and mitigating the environmental impact of both olive and milk production.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydroponic barley forage in the diets of lactating Italian Mediterranean buffaloes on Mozzarella cheese chemical and sensory properties. Thirty-six buffaloes were evenly assigned to three groups: control (C) with standard maize silage-based ration, and low hydroponic (LH) and high hydroponic (HH) barley forage substitution for 50% and 100% of maize silage, respectively. HH Mozzarella had lower hardness, reduced saturated fatty acids, increased oleic and alpha-linolenic fatty acids. Hydroponic forage could be an innovative system for sustainable livestock production with a positive impact on the Mozzarella cheese improving its nutritional value.

The use of two nozzle diameters (6 and 8 mm) in a cold (50°C) hemp seed oil extraction process was evaluated in terms of extraction efficiency, and chemical composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of the residual cake. Seeds of the varieties Futura 75 and Uso 31 were pressed using a mechanical press with a cooling device. Five pressings were carried out for each variety and nozzle size, the functional parameters of the extraction processes were recorded, and sample of the residual cakes (n = 20) were analyzed. The 6 mm nozzle determined a higher oil yield (+4%) with a limited increase in temperature in the pressing chamber and in the oil (on average + 3°C compared to the 8 mm nozzle). A lower oil yield and consequently a higher fat content in the corresponding cake was observed when using the 8 mm nozzle. Despite the similar fat content, the two varieties had different oil yields and different residual cake compositions. The gas production kinetic of cakes was influenced by variety but little by nozzle size. Overall, the use of a smaller nozzle in a temperature-controlled extraction process can be a useful option to increase hemp oil yield while maintaining good fermentation characteristics of the residual cakes as ruminant feed.

An on-farm observational study evaluated the use of individual automatic milk feeders (AMF) to wean 53 buffalo calves. Analysis of data retrieved from the AMF system over a 4-month period revealed positive indicators for animal adaptation, including rapid self-feeding behaviour, low incidence of feeding refusals, high milk intake, consistent weight gain, and increased frequency of daily feedings. The study identified potential areas for future research, such as determining the optimal number and frequency of feedings and the appropriate milk allowance for different stages of calf development. These findings suggest potential benefits for labour cost savings and emphasise the need to optimise AMF parameters to meet the specific needs of buffalo calves. Buffalo calves adapted well to an individual automatic milk feeder

This study investigated the feasibility of integrating hydroponic barley forage (HBF) production into dairy ruminant production, focusing on its effect on milk yield and components, energy and water footprints, and economic implications. Maize silage (MSil) was used as a benchmark for comparison. The research was conducted on a water buffalo dairy farm equipped with a fully automated hydroponic system producing approximately 6,000 kg/d of HBF as fed (up 1,000 kg/d on DM basis). Thirty-three lactating water buffaloes were assigned to 3 dietary treatments based on the level of MSil or HBF in the diet: D0 (100% MSil), D50 (50% MSil and 50% HBF), and D100 (100% HBF). The feeding trial lasted 5 wk, plus a 2-wk adaptation period during which each cow underwent a weighing, BCS scoring, recording of milk yield and components, including SCC and coagulation characteristics. Based on the data obtained from the in vivo study, the water and energy footprints for the production of MSil and HBF and buffalo milk, as well as income over feed cost, were evaluated. Complete replacement of MSil with HBF resulted in a slight increase in milk yield without significant impact on milk components. The resource footprint analysis showed potential benefits associated with HBF in terms of water consumption. However, the energy footprint assessment showed that the energy ratio of HBF was less than 1 (0.88) compared with 11.89 for MSil. This affected the energy efficiency of milk yield in the 3 diets, with the D50 diet showing poorer performance due to similar milk yield compared with D0, but higher energy costs due to the inclusion of HBF. The production cost of HBF was about 4 times higher than that of farm-produced MSil, making feed costs for milk yield more expensive. Nevertheless, HBF can potentially improve income over feed costs if it increases milk yield enough to offset its higher production costs. Overall, the results suggest that the current practice of using HBF to replace high-quality feedstuffs as concentrates is likely to result in energy and economic losses.

This study explores the use of an electronic nose (E -nose), equipped with ten metal oxide semiconductor thin-film sensors, to detect raw milk samples from buffaloes fed hydroponic barley forage as a substitute for maize silage. 108 samples were collected on three different days, from three groups of twelve Italian Mediterranean buffaloes each. The control group (C) was fed a diet based on maize silage, which in the other groups was replaced by hydroponic forage at 50 % (LH group) and 100 % (HH group). The data pattern from the E -nose sensor responses data was analysed using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and principal component analysis (PCA) as pattern recognition methods, to investigate the discrimination capability of the sensor array. Confusion matrix, obtained from LDA, correctly classified C, LH and HH milk at 90 %. Solid -phase microextraction with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that C samples had the highest total level of volatile organic compounds, particularly ketones, volatile fatty acids and esters, while HH had the lowest quantity of volatile fatty acids and higher amounts of p -cresol, 1-octen-3-ol and dimethyl sulfone. This has resulted in a greater response intensity of most E -nose sensors for C, such as W1S, W2S, W3S and W6S, which react to high concentrations of broad -range and aliphatic compounds. E -nose proves effective in rapidly identifying hydroponic forage in buffalo diets.

The safety of reclaimed urban wastewater (RUW) for the production of hydroponic barley forage (HBF) was evaluated in terms of effluent and forage characteristics, as well as the health and performance of lactating cows. The study was conducted on a dairy farm equipped with two hydroponic chambers producing approximately 620 kg/d of HBF as fed. For experimental purposes, HBF was produced using RUW collected from an aqueduct plant processing urban wastewater in a membrane bioreactor treatment chain. A feeding trial was carried out with HBF derived from RUW. Sixty lactating cows were randomly assigned to two balanced groups fed a standard total mixed ration (TMR) or a TMR in which 10 kg of HBF replaced 1 kg of oat hay and 0.5 kg of maize. The experimental period lasted 7 weeks, including a 2-week adaptation period, during which each cow underwent a physical examination, BCS scoring, blood sampling for a complete blood count and biochemical panel, recording of body weight and milk yield and quality, including fatty acid composition and heavy metal content. Ruminal pH was continuously monitored by reticulorumen boluses, and nutrient digestibility and N balance were determined at week 7. RUW showed an acceptable microbial load and an overall good quality as irrigation water, even though the supply of N and P did not influence the yield and quality of HBF. The characteristics of HBF reflected the quality of RUW supplied to the hydroponic chambers and no anomalous components (i.e., high ion concentration) were found. Feeding RW-derived HBF to lactating cows had no major positive or negative effects on animal health and production, including milk quality, ruminal pH, in vivo digestibility, and N balance. The use of RUW under the conditions tested appears to be safe for the health status of lactating cows and the quality of the milk obtained. Overall, the results do not reveal any major limitations for the use of tertiary wastewater as irrigation water for the hydroponic production of forage barley, so that a wider use of wastewater in hydroponic systems seems realistic.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gamma irradiation, applied to different cheese sample sizes (250g and 500 g), against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, coliforms and aerobic colony counts. The effects on cheese physicochemical and odour properties and all costs involved for the treatment were quantified. The Cobalt-60 γ-irradiator was used at a maximum dose of 5.0 kGy. The values for cheese moisture (28.6%), ash (3.78%), pH (5.1), protein (29.6%), fat (30.7%), salt (1.95%) and water activity (0.92%) were within the acceptable ranges for hard cheese after gamma irradiation treatment. The colour (yellowness, redness, chroma and hue angle) and texture (cohesiveness and springiness) values decreased (p < 0.05) with the treatment. Compounds such as safrole, acetylpyrazine, thiophene, 3,5-octadien-2-one and 1-Octen-3-one were present after the treatment, regardless of sample size. The gamma irradiation treatment resulted in 100%, 87.2%, 85.1% and 77.3% reduction in L. monocytogenes, coliforms, E. coli and aerobic colony counts, respectively. The study highlighted the efficacy of irradiation treatment and its affordability for resource-limited producers.

Former food products include various leftovers from the food industry which, although they have lost values for human consumption, could be safely used for livestock, thus limiting environmental impact of food waste, and reducing feeding costs. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional characteristics of different types of former foods from pasta industry. Four types of dry pasta refusal (wholemeal, semolina, purple, and tricolor) and whole barley grain (control) were analyzed for chemical composition and in vitro starch digestibility; the energy content was also estimated. For each product type, samples collected in three different times at a pasta plant were analyzed. All products showed higher (p < 0.001) protein contents and lower (p < 0.001) fat contents than barley. The amount of NDF varied between the samples (p < 0.001), while all samples reported high starch content (>60% DM). The energy content was higher (p < 0.05) in pasta former food compared with whole barley grain. Purple pasta showed different in vitro starch digestibility compared to the other former foods (p < 0.001). However, all products showed higher values of resistant starch, whereas barley was mainly composed by slowly digestible starch. The results indicated that dry pasta former foods could be suitable energy sources for feeding pig, but their inclusion in diets must consider the slow digestibility.

Treating ruminant feeds with exogenous fibrolytic enzymes may potentially increase forage cell wall degradability and thus feed efficiency. In nature, fungi biosynthesize lignocellulolytic enzymes that can break down lignocellulosic material into its sugar components, thereby providing ready fermentable substrates. This work showed the in vitro fibrolytic activity of three Trichoderma strains (T. atroviride strain P1, T. afroharzianum strain T22, T. reesei strain T67). Total protein concentration and enzymatic (e.g., glucanase, cellulase, and xylanase) activities were determined in fungal culture filtrates after 7 and 14 days of growth on different fiber-based media. The enzymatic mixtures produced by Trichoderma spp. showed the highest concentration of fibrolytic enzymes and were added to industrial feed to test their ability to hydrolyze insoluble fibers. The supplementation of industrial feeds containing medium-fiber or low-fiber concentrates with T22 enzymes produced in the presence of lyophilized mushrooms and durum wheat fiber reduced hemicellulose concentration up to 33% and 24%, respectively. These results may offer novel opportunities to develop livestock feeds with improved fiber digestibility.

An observational case study was designed to highlight issues associated with a possible expansion of dairy buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) farming outside the traditional coastal plains of southern Italy. Twenty pregnant buffaloes were transferred to a hilly inland farm. After calving, production and reproduction data were collected monthly throughout lactation. From 4 to 6 months of lactation, buffaloes were enrolled in a feeding trial to evaluate the effects of locally grown forages (maize silage vs. hay) on milk production and in vivo digestibility. Sensory properties of mozzarella cheese produced at a local dairy were also evaluated. No obvious effects of diet were found. Compared to the data recorded in the previous lactation completed in the farm of origin, milk yield was reduced by 37.2%, and milk protein by 6.1%, whereas milk fat improved (+4.5%). A lower pregnancy rate (−13.3%), increased days open (+122%), and a prolonged intercalving period (+26.9%) were also observed. Lactation length was shorter than the standard value of 270 d. The results showed that peculiar reproductive characteristics, lower environmental temperatures, and the specificity of the mozzarella production process are the main problems to be addressed in an expansion of buffalo farming outside traditional areas.

We assessed the effects of inclusion of chickpea from 24 to 21%, as feed basis, in diets for organically reared bulls. Sixteen young bulls (270 ± 6.4 days of age; 246 ± 0.13 kg in weight) belonging to a native Italian breed (Maremmana) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments. The control diets were based on mixed grass hay, maize meal, and barley meal. In the experimental diets, barley was equally substituted by locally produced chickpea. Animals were weighed every 2 weeks until the prefixed slaughtering weight (630 kg). Plasma metabolites were measured at the 1st, 7th, and 14th month of the experiment. Chemical composition, colour, shear force, and water holding capacity of meat were assessed on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum 7 days after slaughter. The chickpea-fed animals showed a significantly greater average daily gain (1064 vs. 1168 kg/day), a shorter growing phase (364 vs. 335 days), and a better carcass conformation. Plasma metabolites and meat quality were not influenced by the treatments. The better growth performance and carcass quality of the chickpea fed bulls resulted in a higher economic profit for the chickpea-based diets. Results suggest that chickpea may allow sustainable performance improvement of native breeds within their traditional farming systems.

This study discusses scientific findings on the use of draught animals such as equids (i.e., horses, mules, and donkeys) and bovids (i.e., cattle and water buffaloes) in rural labours. Relevant peer-reviewed literature published between 1980 and 2021 was retrieved from CAB Abstracts, PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases. Although animals were used to produce draught power since their domestication and are still being used for this purpose, mechanisation has markedly reduced animal labour demand in agriculture. However, the process was uneven across continents according to economic constraints, and draught animals are currently concentrated in small production units located on terrains that do not favour agriculture mechanisation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Generally, equids can work at rates similar to those of bovids or faster but can sustain the work for shorter periods of time. In addition, buffaloes possess tough hooves and resistance to disease that make them suitable for working in wetlands and clay soils. Draught animals allow a marked reduction of both GHG emissions and non-renewable energy consumption as compared with agricultural machinery. In addition, they may allow obtaining profits from otherwise non-usable lands. Therefore, their use should be promoted in rural areas where low investments are usually the only ones feasible, and the energy of the animals can be obtained at a low cost by feeding them harvest residues and by-products. However, more attention should be paid to the quality of human–animal interactions—due to the close contact between animals and humans while working—and to the welfare of draught animals when transported and slaughtered—due to the high prevalence of injuries they suffer when subjected to these practices.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the forage preservation method (silage vs. hay) on volatile compounds and sensory properties of a traditional Caciocavallo cheese during ripening. A brown-midrib sudangrass hybrid was cultivated on a 7-ha field and at harvesting it was half ensiled in plastic silo bags and half dried to hay. Forty-four lactating cows were equally allotted into 2 groups fed a isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed ration containing as the sole forage either sorghum hay (H group) or sorghum silage (S group). Milk from the 2 groups was used to produce 3 batches/diet of Caciocavallo ripened for 30, 60, and 90 d. Milk yield and composition as well as cheese chemical and fatty acid composition were not markedly affected by the diet treatment and ripening time. By contrast, ripening induced increased levels of the appearance attribute “yellowness,” along with the “overall flavor,” the odor/flavor attributes “butter” and “hay,” the “salty,” “bitter,” and “umami” tastes, and the texture attribute “oiliness,” whereas the appearance attribute “uniformity” and the texture attribute “elasticity” were reduced. The silage-based diet induced higher perceived intensities of several attributes such as “yellowness”; “overall flavor”; “butter”; “grass” and “hay” odor/flavors; “salty,” “bitter,” and “umami” tastes; and “tenderness” and “oiliness” textures. In S cheese we also observed higher amounts of ketones and fatty acids. Conversely, H cheese showed the terpene α-pinene, which was not detected in S cheese, and a higher intensity of the appearance attribute “uniformity.” These differences allowed the trained panel to discriminate the products, determined an increased consumer liking for 90-d ripened cheese, and tended to increase consumer liking for hay cheese.

This paper aimed to assess the effects of feeding fresh forage on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of buffalo milk and mozzarella cheese. Sixteen lactating buffaloes were equally allotted into two groups fed diets containing (experimental (Exp) group) or not (control (Ctl) group) 20 kg/d of fresh sorghum. Milk from the groups was separately collected and transformed in the traditional ‘Mozzarella di Bufala Campana’ Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO). Three batches of mozzarella were produced for each diet and they were analyzed, along with the two bulks of milk, for VOC composition, by using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled with gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The use of fresh forage increased the levels of long chain fatty acids along with the contents of aldehydes, and this could be responsible for an increase in green notes of milk. The use of the Ctl diet, containing a higher proportion of silage, increased the ketones, acids, and esters, which are compounds that could raise the cheese and fruity notes of milk. The mozzarella was less affected by the dietary treatment than milk. The use of fresh forage (sorghum) enhanced the green notes of milk and induced a few changes in the VOC profile of the typical PDO Mozzarella di Bufala Campana cheese, that were nonetheless detectable by sensory analysis. The low level found for butanoic acid, 2,3-pentanedione, and propyl acetate in mozzarella cheese obtained with fresh forage diet can lead to perceive less the olfactory notes of cheese, cream, and fruit.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p < 0.05) and blood plasma (p < 0.001) were observed in buffaloes fed chickpeas. Moreover, no effect (p > 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance.