Effects of low and high levels of dietary protein concentrate supplements to the roughage rations on growth of Murrah Buffalo Calves
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Date
1972
Authors
Chalermpol Payat-Tapin
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Abstract
A 16-week feeding study was conducted using 15 Murrah buffalo calves with ages ranging from 13 to 19 months, distributed at random to five treatments (rations) of three calves each. These animals wre each housed and fed in individual stalls. The treatments consisted of the following: Lot I, napier soilage plus the present CLSU concentrate ration (control); Lot II, napier soilage plus low protein concentrate; Lot III, rice straw and low protein concentrate; Lot IV, napier soilage plus high protein concentrate; and Lot V, rice straw plus high protein concentrate. Comparisons among treatments were made on the basis of co-variance analysis. Criteria for growth of the calves studied under the different treatments were gains in live-weight, height at the withers, length of the body, and circumference at the heart girth. Other observations made were feed conversion efficiency and general health of the animals.
The results showed that calves on napier soilage and high protein concentrate feeding regime (Lot Iv) made significant mean gains in body weight, height at the withers and circumference at the heart girth over the calves in the other treatments. Lot IV calves also made the highest feed conversion efficiency.
The calves on diets of rice straw and high protein concentrate ration made an overall better performance compared to the calves in Lot I, II and III indicating the possible utilization of rice straw, especially during the dry months of the year when green forage is not readily available, provided given proper protein supplementation. The comparatiely less satisfactory performance of the calves in Lot I given the present CLSU concentrate ration for growing calves in indicative of sub-normal dairy management practice and the need for change is imperative.
Under the conditions of this study and at prevailing prices of feedstuffs, the overall costs of feed to make a kilogram gain in weight were P1.89, P2.27, P2.57, P3.36, and P3.89 for Lots IV, V, II, I, and III, respectively.