Growth Performance and Economics of Rearing Nili-Ravi Buffalo Male Calves on Different Feeding Regimes

Nili-Ravi male buffalo calves (n=24) with average age of 7 months and average body weight of 105 kg were divided randomly into three equal groups and maintained on three feeding regimes for 224 days. The feeding regimes were leguminous fodder and a low cost concentrate devoid of oil cake in 60:40 ratio (T1), cereal fodder and low cost concentrate in 60:40 ratio (T2) and grazing 6h/day plus wheat straw ad lib. plus conc.mix. (as in T2) @ 1% of body weight (T3). The average daily gain up to 200 kg body weight was higher (P<0.05) in groups T1 (542 g) and T2 (506 g) than in group T3 (444 g). Pasture intake and nutrient utilization pattern could not be ascertained in group T3 as the nutritional quality and type of pasture available varied widely. Average total DM intake was 4.46 kg/day in T1 and 4.18 kg/day in T2 while group T3 consumed 1.20 kg cone. mix. and 0.78 kg wheat straw daily. There was no significant difference in digestibility of nutrients among the two stall fed groups (T1 and T2). Nitrogen balance as % of absorbed nitrogen was comparable between group T1 (30.15%) and group T2 (28.96%). Feed conversion efficiency was comparable among groups T1 (8.27%) and T2 (8.63%). Feed cost/kg gain was Rs. 16.56, 17.27 and 12.01 and net rearing cost/kg gain was Rs. 20.14, 21.57 and 16.40 in groups T1, T2 and T3, respectively. It was concluded that rearing male calves on grazing with limited supplementation (T3 regime) was more economical than stall feeding.