Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Soy Acid Oil on Rumen Fermentation and Nutrient Utilization in Crossbred Cattle

Nine crossbred rumen fistulated male calves (2 yrs; 230 kg b. wt) were divided intb three similar groups based on their body weight and fed ad lib oat fodder and concentrates containing deoiled GNC, deoiled rice bran and mineral mixture in 37: 60:3 ratio without (T1) or with the addition of 2.2% (T2) or 6.6% (T3) of soy acid oil. Addition of soy acid oil at 6.6% level in the concentrate mixture (or 1.87% in the total diet) had no effect (P< 0.05) on DM intake, ruminal pH, concentrations of TVFA, acetate, propionate and butyrate, total-N, NH3-N, TCA-precipitable N and in sacco DM degradabiiity (24 and 48 hr) of wheat straw, oat and berseem fodders, digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP, CF, NFE, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose. Nitrogen balances were also similar in all lhe groupss Results indicated that acid oil may be used upto 6.6% level in concentrates or 1.87% level in overall cattle ration without any adverse effect on nutrient intake and digestibility rumen fermentation and nitrogen retention.