Rumen fermentation pattern in crossbred cattle maintained on complete feed block

An experiment was conducted to see the effect of feeding complete feed blocks on rumen microbes and metabolites in crossbred cattle. Adult rumen fistulated male cattle (3; 8 years old of 400 kg BW) divided into 3 groups in 3x3 latin square switch over design were offered isonitrogenous complete diet containing dried grass (predominated by Heteropogon contortus and Sehima nervosum) and concentrate mixture in 60: 40 ratio in mash form (CFM) or CFM in which concentrate mixture contained Leucaena leaves (LL-CFM) or as complete feed block (LL-CFB). The TCA-ppt N was significantly (P<0.05) higher in CFB feeding regime than either CFM or LL-CFM diets. The NPN was significantly higher (P<0.05) in mash form of diets (CFM and LL-CFM) than the CFB diets. Total viable bacteria as well as anaerobic fungal population was higher (P<0.05) in CFB fed animals than either CFM or LL-CFM diet because of proportionate intake of roughage and concentrate from the block form of diets. Results conclusively revealed that the complete diets in the form of blocks created conducive environment for higher growth of rumen bacteria as well as fungi as compared to the mash form of diets.