Extracted sunflower cake as protein supplement in buffalo calves

Twelve buffalo calves (172.5±14.33 kg b.wt., 12–15 months age), divided Into three groups of four each, were fed concentrate mixtures in which groundnut cake was replaced with extracted sunflower cake at 0 (T1), 50 (T2) and 100 (T3) per cent levels on protein basis and wheat straw ad lib. as sole roughage for108 days. Dry matter intake, nutrient digestibility, daily body weight gain and feed required per kg body weight gain were similar among the treatments. However, nitrogen retention per day was significantly (p≤0.05) lower in T3 compared to T1 and T2 where it was similar. It may be inferred that 50% of, dietary protein of groundnut cake can be replaced with the extracted: sunflower cake in buffalo calves without any adverse effect.