Effect of Feeding Deoiled Sunflower Cake on Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Crossbred Calves

Fifteen crossbred male calves (10–12 months) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups of 5 each on body weight basis. Control group (T₁) was fed on groundnut cake based concentrate mixture, whereas, in the concentrate mixture of groups T₂ and T₃, protein of groundnut cake was replaced with deoiled sunflower cake @ 33 and 66 per cent, respectively. After experimental feeding of 105 days, a metabolism trial of 7 days duration was conducted, Daily body weight gain (g) in group T₁ was highest (533.3) as compared to group T₂ (S03.3) and group T₃ (506.7), however, variations, among groups was not significant. Dry matter intake (kg/100kg body wt.), digestibility co-efficients of nutrients except EE and DCP and TDN did not differ significantly among the various groups. Lower digestibility of EE was observed in group T₃ than that in group T₁. All the experimental animals were in positive nitrogen balance and retention of N (as % of intake) remained similar among groups.