Effect of Different Sources of Protein on Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Yearling Crossbred Cattle

Three sources of proteins viz., 10% solvent extracted groundnut cake, 12% solvent extracted mustard oil cake and 9% fish meal were used in the concentrate mixtures fed to 15 crossbred calves (18m, 250 kg), distributed in 3 groups of 5 each. These concentrate mixtures were fed to meet 75% of protein requirement along with wheat straw (ad. lib). Mean intake (g/KgW075) of DM, CP, DCP and TDN were 94±0.1, 8.6±0.33, 5.1±0.27 and 56±2.5 In group 1; 95±3.2, 8.4±0.26, 4.5±0.10 and 55±1.7 in group 2 and 88±1.9, 8.3±0.14, and 50±2.0 in group 3, respectively. Average daily gain in body weight during 15 wks feeding trial was 480±74.2, 419±32.4 and 370±55.9 with the feed: gain ratio of 13.32±2.46, 15.68±1.39 and 15.73±1.55 in respective groups. Lower level of intake of protein sources in the diet did not influence the growth and nutrient digestion in crossbred calves.