Effect of restricted concentrate feeding on nutrient utilization and growth performance of crossbred calves maintained on wheat straw based diet.

A feeding trial was carried out for 238 days to assess the effect of restricted dietary concentrate to wheat straw based diet on nutrient digestibility and body weight gain in crossbred calves. Crossbred calves were divided into 4 groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) of 5 each. Calves of G1 and G2 were received 60 and 30% concentrate in their ration along with wheat straw, respectively, supplying equal amount of dietary protein to the both group throughout the experimental period. The calves in group G3 received 30% concentrate in their diet for 1–119 days of experiment and 60% concentrate during 120–238 days of experiment and vice versa in group G4. Nutrient digestibility was influenced by the dietary level of concentrate. Higher digestibility of DM, OM, CP, energy and lower digestibility of NDF, ADF and cellulose were observed in calves received high concentrate diet than those consumed low concentrate diet. Retention of nitrogen (as % of intake and absorb nitrogen) was higher in low concentrate fed calves. ME and DM intake were affected by the level of dietary concentrate, being higher in high concentrate fed group. Calves were gained 564.7, 395.8, 511.8 and 489.9 g/day in G1, G2, G3 and G4 groups, respectively. The results suggested that a wheat straw based diet containing 30% concentrate supported 396 g average daily body weight gain which may be considered optimum for crossbred calves.