Effect of Feeding Rumen Anaerobic Fungal Culture on Nutrient Utilization in Growing Buffalo Calves

To study the influence of direct fed microbials isolated from domestic cattle and wild nilgai, on nutrient utilization in buffalo calves fed on a complete feed mixture (consisting of wheat straw and concentrate mixture in the ratio of 1:1 along with 2 kg fodder oat per animal per day ad lib to meet the requirements of 500 g/day, growth), fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (8–12 month of age average body weight 160 kg) were divided into three groups of five each in a complete randomized block design. Fungal free broth culture (160ml) was dozed to each calf of the control group on every alternate or every 4th day of the 150 days experimental period. The second and third group calves were dozed 160 ml (10⁶ CFU/ml) of fungal culture Orpinomyces sp. C-14 and Piromyces sp WNG-12 per calf also on every alternate or every 4th day, respectively. The results indicated that on similar dry matter intake, the TON percent values were higher in fungal led groups of calves. TDN consumed as percent of Kearl requirements were 99 percent in Piromyces sp. administered group of animals compared to 75.98 and 92.70% in control and Orpinomyces sp. administered groups. The growth rate of animals in treatment groups was increased. It can be concluded that anaerobic fungi increased nutrient digestibility and TDN availability to buffalo calves.