Effect of Partial Replacement of Groundnut Cake with Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) on Intake, Rumen Fermentation Pattern, Blood Metabolites and Growth of Crossbred Calves

Berseem (Trifolium alexendrinum) as a replacement for groundnut cake (GNC) in the ration of crossbred calves was studied. Fifteen crossbred (Sahiwal X Holstein Friesan) male calves of 3–6 m age with an average body weight of 75.6 + 3.4 kg were randomly distributed into 3 groups of 5 each in an experiment based on randomized block design and were randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments. Wheat straw was offered <italic>ad libitum</italic> to all the calves. In Group I, GNC (300 g/kg) was supplemented to fulfill the N requirement. However, amount of GNC was reduced to 150 and 100 g/kg in groups II and III, respectively. Further, to make the diets iso-nitrogenous 300 and 450 g/kg berseem was added in groups I and III, respectively, whereas group I contained no berseem. During 120 day study, body weight change and feed intake was recorded fortnightly, blood and rumen liquor samples were collected monthly and a metabolism trial of 7 day collection was conducted during days 94–100. Total dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in group II than groups III and I. Ammonia nitrogen concentration in rumen fluid, and urea level in serum reduced linearly (P<0.01) with increasing level of berseem in the diet. Total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration in rumen fluid and blood glucose level were significantly (P<0.01) higher in group II in comparison to III and I, group III had higher value than group I. Replacing GNC with berseem resulted in a significant (P<0.01) decrease in the proportion of acetate and increase (P<0.05) in proportion of propionate. Digestibility of organic matter (OM) and fibre components was significantly (P<0.01) higher in groups II and III in comparison to group I. Differences in crude protein digestibility was not significant. However, there was significantly (P<0.05) higher N balance indicating better utilization in comparison to other groups. Digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in B30 than B45 and BO, resulting in similar trend of average daily gain. It was concluded that half of the GNC could be replaced with inclusion of 30% berseem in the diet of crossbred calves fed on wheat straw.