Effect of Supplementation of Protein to Untreated and Urea-Treated Wheat Straw on Intake and Nutrient Utilization in Crossbred Cattle

Twelve crossbred male cattle (KF and KS) randomly distributed into 3 groups of 4 animals each, were fed concentrate mixture according to CP requirement and wheat straw ad lib. (Group A), wheat straw supplemented with GN cake to provide 9 per cent CP (Group B) and 4 per cent urea-treated wheat straw alongwith GN cake to provide 3 per cent extra CP (Group C). After 22 days of preliminary feeding of experimental diets a metabolism trial was conducted. DM intake (kg/d) through straw was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in group B (4.27±0.27) and C (4.87±0.26) than in group A (3.20±0.34), however, total DM intake did not vary among the groups. DM digestibility was 51.72±1.79, 48.58±1.50 and 44.06±1.95 per cent in groups A, B and C, respectively. CP digestibility was higher (P< 0.01) in group B than in groups A and C. Digestibility of cell wall components was similar in all the 3 groups except hemicellulose digestibility which was significantly (P<0.01) higher in group C than in other two groups. N balances (g/d) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in groups A (19.81) and B (18.64) compared to group C (10.67). Thus, feeding of wheat straw supplemented with GN cake was suitable and economical than either concentrate supplementation on GN cake supplemented urea- treated wheat straw feeding.