Effect of Slow Release Nitrogen Product on Performance of Growing Crossbred Calves

B. C. Umashankar; K. Chandrapal Singh; U. Krishnamoorthy; H. S. Madhusudhan; Mahadevappa D Gouri; Y. Madhura

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20200304103441

Authors

B. C. Umashankar Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA
K. Chandrapal Singh Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA
U. Krishnamoorthy Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA
H. S. Madhusudhan Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA
Mahadevappa D Gouri Department of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA
Y. Madhura Department of Livestock Production and Management, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200304103441%20%20%20%20%20

Keywords:

Digestibility, Growth Performance, Heifer Calves, Slow Release Nitrogen Product

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of slow release nitrogen product (SRNP) on the performance and nutrient utilization of growing crossbred calves. Six growing heifer calves each fed two treatment diets viz. 1.5 per cent urea supplementation (T1) and urea replaced by SRNP on equal nitrogen basis in their diet (T2) in switch over design. Compounded feed mixture was offered at 1 per cent of body weight and finger millet straw was provided ad lib thrice a day to all the calves. A five-day metabolic trial at the end of the experiment indicated no significant (P>0.05) difference in digestibility of nutrients viz. DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF and nitrogen balance between the treatments. It was concluded that the SRNP supplementation had no beneficial effect on performance and nutrient utilization in growing crossbred calves.