Effect of Feeding Urea Supplemented and Urea Treated Wheat Straw on Rumen Fermentation Pattern and Fibre Digestibility in Crossbred Cattle

Eight rumen fistulated crossbred (Tharparkar x Holstein Friesian) balls (3-4 yrs; 347-352 kg) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups and fed either wheat straw impregnated with 2% urea and 10% molasses ad lib HA (US) or wheat straw treated with 4% urea at 40% moisture duly ensiled for 4 wkss (UT) for 21d. Rumen pH was significantly (P<0.05) higher in US than in UT. Ruminal nitrogenous constituents were similar in both groups, however, ammonia-N was significantly higher in US than UT. Similarly, Mood urea was also higher in animals fed US than UT, TVFA as well as molar percentage of individual VFA were similar in both groups except butyrate, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher in US than UT. Rumen volume and flow rate of liquid digesta and digestibility of NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose were significantly higher in UT than in US.