Detoxified Mahua (Bassia latifolia) Seed Cake as Protein Source for High Growth Potential Animals

A feeding experiment was conducted with 2 groups of 8 cross bred (Hariana x Holstein) bull calves of 2 year age. All the animals were offered wheat straw ad lib along with 2.5 kg deoiied rice bran (DRB))an 1.0 kg per head molasses fortified with adequate minerals and salt. Available grasses/fodder was offered @ 2 kg/d to meet the Vitamin A requirement. Each animal was given 1.0 kg geoiled mustard cake (DMC) in treatment T₁, while 1.75 kg urea ammoniated deoiled mahua seed cake (UA-DMSC), having lower energy concentration, was offered in treatment T₂ Animals of T₁ and T₂ groups, exhibited comparable growth performance (504.2±14.5 vs 547.9±4.0 g/d). Metabolism trial revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher DMI (6.33±0.08 vs 7.62±0.06 kg/d) with significantly (P<0.01) lower nutrient digestibility except for CF in T. But availability of DCP (522.8±8.6 vs 532.6±11.38) and TDN (3.33±0.02 vs 3.53±0.06 kg) did not differ significantly between T₁ and T₂ The rumen fermentation pattern revealed significantly (P<0.01) higher tota-N NH₃-N and TCA precipitable-N but lower T- VFA levee in T₂ Blood haemoglobin enzymatic activity and serum urea concentration were similar between T₁ and T₂ It indicated that UAADMSC can be incorporated in the ration of high growth potential cattle as a protein supplement in place of DMC in about double the quantity to compensate the energy value of ration.