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Nutrient Digestibility and Growth Rate of Bull Calves Fed Rice Straw Treated with Wood Ash Extract

M. M. Rahman
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

M. A. Akbar
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

K. M. S. Islam
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. B. M. Khaleduzzaman
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

A. B. M. R. Bostami
Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted for a period of 60 days with twelve bull calves with an average live weight of 77.78 ± 10.96 kg to determine the effect of treatment of rice straw with Wood Ash Extract (WAE) on feed intake, nutritive value, growth rate and economic benefits. The experimental animals were divided into three groups A, B and C having four animals in each. They were supplied randomly with three rations following randomized complete block design. All rations were made iso-nitrogenous by using urea as a source of nitrogen. Animals of group A were fed untreated rice straw, whereas, group B and C were fed urea-treated and WAE treated rice straw, respectively. The chemical analysis showed that treatment of rice straw with WAE increased ash content of straw from 13.93% to 16.45% and decreased the NDF content from 67.39% to 63.00%. The daily DM intake per 100 kg live weight of diet B was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of diet A and C. The daily CP intake per 100 kg body weight of diet B (553.3g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of diet A (449.5g). Similarly, the organic matter (OM) intake in bull calves fed diet B was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diet A and C. The average daily live weight gain with diet B and C was significantly (P<0.01) higher than diet A. The animals fed diet B and C were more efficient in converting feed into live weight than animals fed diet A. Treating rice straw with wood ash extract improved the nutritive value, it significantly (P<0.01) increased the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, ADF and NDF. It also increased the DCP, DOM, DNDF and DADF contents of rice straw compared with untreated straw. Although the total feed cost of untreated group is lower than those of WAE and urea-treated groups, the feed cost per kg live weight gain as well as the feed cost per kg meat production of WAE and urea-treated groups were significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of untreated rice straw. It may be concluded that nutrient composition and digestibility of rice straw and live weight gain of animals can be improved by treating rice straw with wood ash extract.

Keywords: Straw, Bull calves, Wood ash extract, Nutrient digestibility, Growth rate

Location: Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date: 00-00-2008

End Date: 00-00-2008

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Feed

Objectives:

1. To investigate the effect of feeding rice straw treated with wood ash extract on intake, digestibility and growth rate of bull calves.

Methodology:

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding rice straw treated with wood ash extract on nutrient digestibility and growth rate of indigenous bull calves. Twelve growing bull calves with an average live weight of 77.78 ± 10.96 kg were divided into three groups (A, B and C) having four in each and arranged in randomized block design (RBD) according to live weight. The animals of diet A received untreated straw while diet B received 4% urea ensiled straw and diet C received wood ash extract (WAE) treated straw. Animals of each group were given straw ad libitum, 1 kg green grass, and 1 kg concentrate mixture per 77.78 kg of live weight. All the diets were iso-nitrogenous. Formulation of diets and chemical composition. The concentrates (wheat bran, rice polish, mustard oil cake, molasses, and common salt), wood ash and commercial fertilizer grade urea were purchased from local market. All ingredients for concentrate mixture were taken proportionately, mixed uniformly, and supplied to individual animal based on live weight. Feeds were supplied to the animals twice daily at 8.00 AM and at 4.00 PM. Untreated and treated rice straw along with green grass was supplied after concentrate mixture. Animals were housed hygienically in a well-ventilated face-out stanchion barn and all animals were marked with tag number. Feed intake was recorded by subtracting left over from the supplied feed. Live weight gain was measured by subtracting initial live weight from final live weight. The daily weight gain was calculated by dividing the total weight gain by number of days in the experiment. A conventional digestion trial was conducted for a period of 7 days to find out the digestibility of feed nutrients. The samples of straw, green grass, faces and concentrate mixture were sundried, grinded and kept in polythene bag for chemical analysis. Samples of feed, feed refusals, and faeces were analyzed for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and organic matter (OM). The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were analyzed. The data were analyzed using the ‘MSTAT-C’ computer program to compute analysis of variance (ANOVA) for Randomized Block Design (RBD). The difference among treatment means was determined by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2009, 38(1&2) : 42 – 52; ISSN 0003-3588

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The chemical analysis showed that treatment of rice straw with WAE increased ash content of straw from 13.93% to 16.45% and decreased the NDF content from 67.39% to 63.00%. The daily DM intake per 100 kg live weight of diet B was significantly (P<0.01) higher than that of diet A and C. The daily CP intake per 100 kg body weight of diet B (553.3g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of diet A (449.5g). Similarly, the organic matter (OM) intake in bull calves fed diet B was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed diet A and C. The average daily live weight gain with diet B and C was significantly (P<0.01) higher than diet A. The animals fed diet B and C were more efficient in converting feed into live weight than animals fed diet A. Treating rice straw with wood ash extract improved the nutritive value, it significantly (P<0.01) increased the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, ADF and NDF. It also increased the DCP, DOM, DNDF and DADF contents of rice straw compared with untreated straw. Although the total feed cost of untreated group is lower than those of WAE and urea-treated groups, the feed cost per kg live weight gain as well as the feed cost per kg meat production of WAE and urea-treated groups were significantly (P<0.01) lower than that of untreated rice straw. It may be concluded that nutrient composition and digestibility of rice straw and live weight gain of animals can be improved by treating rice straw with wood ash extract.

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