Effect of berseem-wheat straw based silage on intake and utilization of nutrients in crossbred heifers

Eighteen growing female crossbred heifers (live weight 135+8.0 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 animals in each. The heifers of control group (T1) were fed on conventional ration consisting of wheat straw ad libitum along with 1.0 kg concentrate mixture (comprised of maize grain, mustard cake, wheat bran, mineral mixture and common salt in the ratio of 30:40:28:1:1, respectively). Heifers of group T2 and T3 were offered forage, silage-1 and silage-2 along with 0.5 kg of concentrate mixture, respectively for a period of 30 days. Study indicated that there was no difference in DM intake amongst the groups. Average CP and DCP intake were higher (P<0.05) in T3 while TDN intake was lower (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to T1 and T3, which were comparable. Apparent digestibility of nutrients was higher for molasses berseem silage (T3) than other groups (T1 and T2), except for CP and CF, which was lower (P<0.05) in T2 and T1, respectively. It was concluded that ensiled berseem with wheat straw along with molasses could be used as roughage during lean period with the conventional ration in maintaining the nutrients intake with greater digestibility of nutrients at the reduced consumption of concentrates in crossbred heifers.