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Feeding of Urea Supplemented and Urea Ensiled Straw with or Without Soybean Meal on Nutrients Digestibility and Growth Performance of Bull Calves

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

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

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

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of feeding urea supplemented and urea ensiled straw with or without soybean meal on nutrients digestibility and growth performance of bull calves for a period of 60 days. Twelve growing bull calves (live weight 144.4±18.83 kg) were used and divided into 3 groups having 4 animals in each group. The animals of group A was offered 4% urea supplemented straw, group B 4% urea ensiled straw and group C 4% urea + 3% soybean meal ensiled straw. In addition, all the animals were supplied with 3 kg green grass and 500 g concentrate mixture per 100 kg body weight. The results showed that urea treatment improved crude protein content of rice straw from 2.38 to 11.21 % and organic matter content of the straw from 83.58 to 85.12%. Dry matter intake (kg /100 kg LW) was higher (P<0.05) in animals fed on diet C (3.39) than that of diet A (3.11 kg) and diet 11 (3.30 kg). Similarly Crude protein intake of the animals of group C was significantly (P<0.01) higher than groups A and B. Like wise the daily live weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.01) in group C (0.694 kg) than that of A (0.509 kg) and B (0.634 kg). Soybean meal as a urease source with urea treated straw significantly (P<0.05) increased the digestibility of DM, OM, CP and NFE. Addition of soybean meal also increased digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible crude fiber (DCF), digestible organic mailer (DOM) and digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE).

Keywords: Urea, Soybean meal, Rice straw, Bull calves, Digestibility, Nutritive values.

Location: Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh.

Start Date: 00-05-2004

End Date: 00-07-2004

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Straw

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of treatment of rice straw with urea and soybean meal on feed intake, digestibility and live weight of growing cattle.

Methodology:

Location of experiment and management of animals The experiment was conducted in the Animal Nutrition Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from May to July, 2004. Twelve indigenous bull calves with an average live weight of 144.4±18.83 kg were selected for this experiment. Animals were divided into three groups having four animals in each group. Before starting the experiment faeces of all animals were collected and examined for parasitic infection and appropriate antihelminthies were used for deworming. Animals were housed in a clean, hygienic, well- ventilated house and a uniform management throughout the experiment was maintained.Treatment of rice straw: Ten kg chopped rice straw was spreaded on a clean concrete floor. Commercial urea (at the rate of 4% straw DM) was dissolved in 10 liter water. The urea solution was sprayed on chopped straw layer by layer with a garden sprayer and mixed uniformly by hand. One batch of treated straw was kept for 30 minutes to feed the animals of one group. For other two groups of animals, treated straw was kept into silo pits for seven days and pressed sufficiently to eliminate air and covered with a polythene sheet to make anaerobic condition.

Dietary treatments and methods of feeding: Animals of group A was supplied 4% urea supplemented straw prepared 30 minutes before feeding, group B supplied 4% urea ensiled straw and group C was given 4% urea and 3% soybean meal ensiled straw. Urea ensiled straw (diet B) and urea- soybean ensiled straw (diet C) were taken out from the silo and kept for 30 minutes to remove the pungent smell. Green grass was chopped and mixed properly with treated straw. Straw and green grasses required for each animal was divided into two halves and given to the animal twice daily (8.00AM and 4.00 PM). Water was made available to all animals at all times. Leftover was collected following morning before offering feed and feed intake was recorded by deducting the leftover from the supplied feed.

Measurement of live weight: At the beginning of the experiment, animals were weighed for three consecutive days and average weight was taken as initial live weight, thereafter, the animals were weighed at every 15 days interval throughout the experimental period, At the end of the experiment the animals were also weighed for three consecutive days, and average weight was considered as final live weight. Live weight gain was measured by subtracting initial weight from the final weight. The daily live weight gain was estimated by dividing the total weight gain by total number of days in the experiment.

Digestibility trial: The diet was formulated using rice straw, green grass, soybean meal and concentrate mixture. At the middle of feeding trial a conventional digestion trial was conducted for a period of 7 days and daily feed given and faeces voided were recorded. Amount of feed refused by the individual animal was also recorded. Faeces were collected manually throughout the day and night immediately after defecation and covered with a polythene sheet. In the following morning total amount of faeces was weighed and 5 per cent of representative faeces sample was collected. From that portion, about 150 g was taken in polythene bags and stored in a deep freeze to determine dry matter and nitrogen, and rest was sun dried. At the end of collection period sun dried faeces of each animal were composited together and then ground and from that certain amount were taken and stored in polythene bags for chemical analysis.Chemical analysis: Samples of feed ingredients, faeces and leftover were analyzed following the methods of AOAC (1990) for the determination of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract.

Source of Information: Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2005, 34 (1 & 2): 45-53 (ISSN 0003-3588)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results indicated that addition of 3% soybean meal with 4% urea treated straw improve the nutritive value and growth performance of animals and it can be supplied to indigenous cattle for fattening purpose.

Knowledge Management: Journal