Effect of feeding paddy straw treated with maize spent liquor (MSL) on nutrients intake and utilization in crossbred calves

The present experiment was carried out to study the effect of feeding paddy straw either untreated or treated with maize spent liquor (MSL) on intake, nutrient utilization and cost economics in crossbred calves. Eight crossbred calves (about 18 months old; Avg BW of 186.04±16.84 kg) were randomly divided into two equal groups (control and treatment). All the animals were offered a basal concentrate mixture along with untreated paddy straw (control group) and with 20% MSL treated paddy straw incubated for one day (treatment group). Crossbred calves in both the groups were fed to meet the nutrient requirements as per ICAR (2013) standards. Feeding of crossbred calves with 20% MSL treated paddy straw had no effect (P>0.05) on digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose. All the crossbred calves were in positive N, Ca and P balance. The average DMI (% BW) of crossbred calves was comparable among the two treatment groups. The DCP expressed as % in the diet consumed was higher (P<0.01) in control as compared to treatment group, while the TDN content expressed as % in the diet consumed was similar between the groups. The DM, DCP, TDN and ME intakes expressed as g/kgW^0.75 were similar between both the groups. Further, feeding 20% MSL treated paddy straw resulted in decrease in cost of feed/animal/day by Rs. 4.75 as compared to control. It was concluded that paddy straw treated with 20% MSL can be incorporated economically in the rations of crossbred calves without any adverse effects.