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Effect of Particle Size of Para Grass (brachiaria Mutica) and Maize Grain on Intake, Digestibility and Growth Performance of Crossbred Heifers

Uddin ME
Dept. Dairy Sci, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Yesmin S
Dept. Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Rashid MH
Dept. Dairy Sci, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Khan MAS
Dept. Dairy Sci, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of maize grain particle size (MPS) and para grass particle size (PPS) on performance of crossbred heifers. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial design; two levels of PPS (Full length and chopped into 4-5 cm) were combined with concentrates based on either ground maize grain or cracked maize grain. Twelve heifers were grouped into three blocks according to their body weight having four animals in each block and these animals were assigned into four treatment combination randomly. Results showed that PPS had significant effect on DMI (kg day^-1 ) and daily weight gain (kg day^-1 ) of crossbred heifers. DMI and daily weight gain increased when heifers were fed chopped para grass than heifers fed full length para grass. MPS did not affect DMI and body weight gain. Daily cow dung excretion (kg day^-1 ) was increased for heifers fed chopped para grass but PPS had no effect on losses of CP in faeces (%), DM digestibility (%) and OM digestibility (%) of crossbred heifers. With decreasing MPS losses of CP in faeces increases but MPS did not affect daily dung excretion, DM digestibility and OM digestibility of crossbred heifers. Interaction effect of PPS and MPS had no effect on cow dung excretion and OM digestibility but affected CP losses in faeces and DM digestibility significantly. In conclusion, heifers can be fed diets that contain crushed maize grain and chopped para grass for better performances.

Keywords: Digestibility, Maize grain, Para grass, Particle size, Weight gain

Location: Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder, Calf

Objectives:

To study the effects of, and interactions between, maize grain and green forage (para grass) particle size on DMI, nutrient digestibility and losses of nutrient through faeces, and growth performance of crossbred heifers.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at Dairy Farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh for a period of 90 days (splitted into six sub-periods of 15 days interval and designated as 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, & 6^th 15 days period). Twelve healthy crossbred heifers were selected for this experimental purpose. Most of the heifers were above 1.5 years old but not above 2 years of old. All heifers were kept on concrete floors in individual stall in a well-ventilated face-out stanchion barn to keep them comfortable. The heifers had their respective stall, manger and water trough and care was taken to avoid mixing up feeds with urine and faeces. A good sanitary condition was maintained throughout the experimental period. The animals were previously vaccinated for the infectious diseases common in the herd. The animals were dewormed previously by broad spectrum antihelmintics. The physical condition of each animal was keenly observed during the period. Two different particle sizes of maize grain as ground or powdered form (M_p) and coarse particle (M_c ) and two chopping length of para grass as full length (L_f ) and chopped into 4-5 cm (L_ch ) were used in this experiment. The heifers were grouped into three blocks according to their body weight having four animals in each block and these animals were assigned into four treatment combination randomly by lottery method. The heifers were given with experimental diet, twice daily and leftover was collected following morning before offering feed. The animals were weighed individually at the beginning of the experiment for three consecutive days and the average weight was taken as the initial body weight. Thereafter, the animals were weighed throughout the experimental period every 15 days interval. At the end of the feeding trial, a conventional digestibility trial was conducted for a period of 7 days with an object to see the digestibility of feed nutrients. Respective samples of feed and feces were subjected to chemical analysis for moisture, crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and ether extract (EE), ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) following the methods of AOAC. The data were analyzed using the "MSTATC" statistical programme to compute analysis of variance (ANOVA) for a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2×2 Factorial Experiment. Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was also done for different parameter to compare the treatment means.

Source of Information: BJPST: 11(1): 071-074 [January, 2013] ISSN: 2305-1809

Article Link (Online Journal): http://bjpst.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Badal-71-74.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Based on the above findings, it may be concluded that chopped para grass and coarse maize grain can be the best options for feeding crossbred heifers to obtain better performances in terms of dry matter intake, body weight gain, to reduce losses of CP through faeces and digestibility of nutrients.

Knowledge Management: Journal