Nutrient Utilization from Wheat Straw, Ammoniated or Supplemented with Green Fodder in Crossbred Cattle

Studies on 9 male mature crossbred (Karan-Fries) cattle distributed in 3 equal groups were conducted to evaluate the nutrient utilization from different dietary combinations, viz. wheat straw with concentrate; ammoniafed wheat straw with concentrate and wheat straw with green berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Voluntary DM intake in ammoniated wheat straw group was 38 per cent higher than the groups where untreated wheat straw was fed with concentrate mixture or green berseem. Ammoniated straw also resulted in significantly (P < 0.01) higher intake of DCP, TON, DE or ME. This was also reflected in higher body weight gain in animals fed ammoniated wheat straw. Supplementation of green berseem resulted in no significant improvement in the nutrient utilization from this ratio contribution. DCP and TDN values of the ammoniated straw were 2.9 and 56.0 per cent, respectively.