Effect of Strategic Feeding of Urea-treated Cereal Straws Supplemented with Agricultural Byproducts on the Performance of Growing Buffalo Calves and Heifers Dutta Narayan*, Sharma K., Pattanaik A.K., Singh M.1 Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute Izatnagar-243 122, India. *Reprint request: Dr Narayan Dutta, E-mail: pn@ivri.up.nic.in
1Present address: Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhamora, Rampur-243 701, India. Abstract Buffalo calves (35) and heifers (18) were randomly selected for the on-farm studies to investigate the effect of long-term feeding of urea treated cereal straws with agricultural by-products on their performance. The buffalo calves and heifers (two separate experiments) were randomly divided in two groups to receive either urea treated straw (UTS) or untreated straw (Control). Farmers’ formulated supplement (Parts/100; oil cake 10–12; rice polish 88–90) was used in both the groups. Supplementary concentrate allowance fed to each animal was adjusted in consultation with the farmers’. Mineral mixture and salt was provided to all the animals irrespective of dietary treatments to avoid a compensatory intake effect of UTS on mineral deficient animal. The duration of feeding trial was 6 months during which monitoring was done for feed intake, general health and body weight changes. The intake (kg/d or %LW or g/kg W0.75) of dry-matter was significantly (P<0.05) higher in UTS as compared to control group. Roughage moiety (kg/d or g/kg W0.75) also followed the same trend; however, intake of supplement moiety was comparable between control and UTS treatments. Net change in body weights, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, kg DM/kg gain) by buffalo calves (6–12 m) and heifers were significantly (P<0.05) higher in UTS as compared to control group. The nutrient intake in term of DCP (g/d) and ME (Mcal/d) from composite diet was almost sufficient to meet the maintenance and growth requirements of animals in UTS group; however, DCP was about 50% deficit in control group. Strategic feeding of urea treated cereal straws within the existing feeding systems significantly improved the overall performance of young stocks and it may be a practically feasible feed under mixed farming system. Top Keywords Strategic feeding, Urea treated straw, Growth, Buffalo calves and heifers. Top |