Effect of different dietary nitrogen sources on growth performance of crossbred cattle

Abstract

Male crossbred calves (20) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 5 each and fed groundnut-cake (T₁). cottonseed-cake (T₂), mustard-cake ((T₃) and urea-based concentrate rations ((T₄)) and wheat straw. Growth rate was significantly (P<0.01) lower on urea-based ration. Average dry-matter intake was 3.85, 3.76: 4.04 and 4.05 kg/day in the respective groups. Dry-matter intake per kg body weight gain was 1.49; 1.41; 1.57; and 1.59 kg in groups T-I. T-2, T-3 and T-4, reapectively. Daily N intake during the metabolism trial was 90.76: 95.46: 90.36 and 99.69 g/day (P>0 05) and N balances were 19.00; 23.43: 16.67; and 18.58 g/day in the respectivc groups. From the growth performance and N-balance data it could be concluded that different dietary-N sources can be replaced by each other without adverse effect. However, the cost of feeding as well as cost per kg gain was lower on urea-based ration.