Influence of Paddy Straw of Different Particle Sizes in the Diet on Nutrient Utilisation and Enteric Methane Emissions in Murrah Buffalo Calves

Fifteen Murrah male calves were divided into three groups of five each. All the animals were offered a diet consisting of paddy straw, concentrate mixture and berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) fodder ad lib. in 50: 40: 10 ratio. Group G-I was fed with paddy straw of small particle size (0.88 cm), G-II with long particle size (2.45 cm) and G-III with unchaffed paddy straw. The feed intake was higher (P<0.05) in chaffed paddy straw fed group (G-I and G-II) than unchaffed paddy straw fed group (G-III). The digestibility coefficients of DM, OM and ADF were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group G-II as compared to groups G-I and G-III. The digestibility of NDF was higher (P<0.05) in groups G-I compared to G-II and G-III. The digestibility of CP and EE was similar in all the groups. Methane production (g/kg DMI or g/kg DDMI or % of GE, DE and ME) was lower (P<0.05) in groups G-I and G-II as compared to group G-III. Thus, the inclusion of chaffed paddy straw of medium size particles (2–3 cm) in the rations of growing buffalo calves improved (P<0.05) the voluntary feed intake and reduced enteric methane emissions.