Effect of Different Levels of Concentrate with Ureal NH3 Treated Maize Stover on Performance of Crossbred Heifers

A growth cum digestibility trial was conducted on 12 crossbred heifers divided into 3 groups of 4 each in randomized block design Diet T,: untreated maize stover ad lib and concentrate mixture as per NRC (1978) recommendation, T: Four per cent urea-NH, treated maize stover ad lib and concentrate mixture to meet 75 per cent requirement of nutrients based on NRC (1978) recommendation as compared to T and T: Urea-NH, treated maize stower ad lib as in T and concentrate mixture to meet 50 per cent requirement of nutrients as compared to T). There was signiflcant difference in digestible dry matter intake between T and T. The digestible organic matter intake was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T as compared to T and T which did not differ significantly between themselves. The digestible crude protein intake (g/100 kg body weight) was significantly higher in T₁ as compared to T₃ The DE intake (Mcal/100 kg body weight) did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. The average daily weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T₃ as compared to T₁ and T₂ which did not differ significantly between themselves. It can be concluded that only 25 per cent concentrate can be saved by feeding urea-NH treated maize stover.