Effect of partial replacement of groundnut cake with green berseem on growth of crossbred calves

The study was taken up to assess the effect of replacement of ground nut cake (GNC) by berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) on performance of calves. 15 crossbred male calves (3–6 m old of 75.6 ± 3.4 kg BW) randomly divided into 3 equal groups were offered either wheat straw and GNC in 70: 30 ratio (B₀), or wheat straw, GNC and berseem in 55: 15: 30 ratio (B₃₀)or wheat straw, GNC and berseem in 45: 10: 45 (B₄₅) ratio on DM basis for 120 days. Wheat straw consumption was low (P<0.01) in B₄₅ than in B₀ or B₃₀. DM intake was higher (P<0.01) in B₃₀, followed by B₄₅ and B₀. Digestibility of DM, CF, N balance and daily gain were higher (P<0.05) in group B₃₀ than in other groups. Body composition, energy and protein utilization efficiency and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different among the groups, however, feed cost per kg gain was considerably less in group B₃₀. It was concluded that half of the GNC could be replaced with berseem for the better growth performance.