Effect of different levels of maize fodder on the performance of crossbred heifers

Crossbred heifers (16; 9–11 m old of 98.2±4.9 kg BW) divided into 4 equal groups were fed either 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg green maize along with ad lib wheat straw and concentrate mixture as per requirement for 120 days. The DM and TDN intake was higher (P<0.05) in group 4 as compared to other three groups. The digestibility of nutrients was comparable among the groups except NFE, which was higher (P<0.05) in group 4 as compared to other groups. Average daily gain (ADG) in weight of heifers was higher (P<0.05) in groups 4 and 3 as compared to group 1. It was inferred that nutrient utilization and growth rate could be improved by feeding higher amount of green maize to growing crossbred heifers.