Utilization of Complete Feed Using Prosopis Juliflora Pods as a Ration of Growing Crossbred Calves

A growth trial was carried out for 40 weeks on 24 crossbred (J x K and HP x K) calves randomly allotted to four groups with six calves in each. Treatments Tl, T2 and T3 were the complete feeds with 30% wheat straw. Rice bran was replaced with 0, 10 or 20% Prosopis juliflora pods (Mesquite pods), respectively in Tl, T2 and T3. Treatment T4 represented the conventional system of feeding. Average daily gain was 479, 475, 446 and 473 g, in Tl, T2, T3 and T4, respectively with non significant treatment differences. The daily intake of DM, CP, DCP and TDN were similar in all the groups which resulted in similar feed efficiency and nutrient utilization. The DM, DCP and TDN intake were in the range of 95 to 108% of recommended levels. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients were similar in all the groups except higher (P<0.05) CP digestibility in T4 than Tl, T2 and T3. The balances of Ca, P and nitrogen were found positive in all the groups. The cost of feed was observed more or less similar in all the groups. It was concluded that complete feed with 20% Prosopis juliflora pods can be used as a ration for crossbred calves.