Influence of Partial Replacement of Concentrate Mixture with Stylo Meal on Feed Intake, Nutrient Utilization and Growth Performance in Crossbred Heifers

摘要

Fifteen growing crossbred female calves (BW=143.26±8.22 kg; age=12- 15 months) were randomly divided into three groups of five animals each to investigate the effect of replacing concentrate mixture with stylo meal on feed intake, nutrient utilization and growth performance. The animals of control group (T ) were fed wheat straw and concentrate as per requirements while in groups T, and T, 50% of CP in concentrate mixture was replaced with stylo meal prepared from Slylosanthes hamata and Stylosanthes seabrana, respectively. All the animals were under this feeding regime for a period of 90 days. Average DM intake was 5.38, 5.06 and 4.86 kg/d in groups T_1, T_2 and T_3, respectively which was similar in all the groups. Digestibility coefficients of DM, OM and CP were also similar in all 3 groups, however, NDF digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in T_2 and T_3 as compared to T, group. DCP and TDN intakes were sufficient for daily gain of 500g in all the groups. N balance and daily live weight gain wasalso similar in all the groups. It was concluded that 50% of CP in concentrate mixture could be replaced with stylo meal prepared from either S. hamata or S. seabrana in the rations of growing crossbred heifers.