Influence of Cobalt Supplementation on Growth, and Utilization of Urea in Crossbred Calves

Twenty male crossbred calves (6m, 98±5.35Kg), divided into 4 groups of 5-each, were fed on a low cobalt basal diet comprising of concentrate mixture and wheat straw. However, 25% of the nitrogen in the concentrate mixture was replaced with urea in the ration of groups II, III and IV. Groups III and IV were supplemented with 0.6 and 1.2 ppm cobalt, respectively. A metabolic trial of 7 d collection was conducted after 112th day of feeding. DM intake and digestibility of DM, OM and CP were similar among groups. However, CF digestibility was significantly higher in groups I and II and digestibilities of EE and NFE and balances of nitrogen and cobalt were significantly higher in groups HI and IV. Calcium and phosphorus balances were positive and did not differ significantly among groups. Average growth rate was significantly higher in groups III and IV than other groups, however the efficiency of feed utilization was almost similar in all the groups.