Effect of Molasses Replacer “Sweetos®” on DMI, Nutrient Digestibility, Body Weight Gain and Body Condition Score in Surti Buffalo Heifers Fed on Paddy Straw Based Ration

In the present study, Sweetos® as a replacer of molasses was used to ascertain the effect of its supplementation on palatability, dry matter intake (DMI), growth rate, body condition score and economics of feeding in Surti buffalo heifers. For the purpose thirty six Surti buffalo heifers were divided into six groups of six each using Latin Square Design and fed on a basal ration comprising of roughage and concentrate in the ratio 74:26. The Sweetos in different form was added to the basal ration as a replacer of molasses as per the layout of experiment: Control group 1 (T₁, without molasses/Sweetos®), group 2 (T₂, molasses 3%), group 3 (T₃, Sweetos® liquid grade-I EH-45 @ 3%), group 4 (T₄, Sweetos® liquid grade-II EH-48 @ 3%), group 5 (T₅, Sweetos® powder EH-46 @ 0.1%) and group 6 (T₆, Sweetos® powder EH-47 @ 0.1%). Significantly higher DMI (kg/100 kg BW) was recorded in group T₃ than control group (T₁). However, the DMI (kg/100 kg BW) were at par between groups T₂, T₃, T₄, T₅, T₆ and differ significantly (P<0.05) from control group (T₁). Similar trend was recorded for DMI on per day basis and metabolic weight basis (g/W^0.75). Body weight gain was recorded highest in group T₃, (Sweetos® liquid grade-I EH-45 @ 3%) and lowest for the control group. Due to the supplementation of Sweetos® liquid grade-I (T₃) to the paddy straw based basal diet, almost 66% increase in body weight over the period of 123 days was recorded as compared to 57% increase on the supplementation of molasses. The BCS was significantly higher in T₅ (P<0.05) than T₁, T₂ whereas, it was at par with T₃, T₄ and T₆. Gain in T₂ was also significantly higher as compared to control T₁. The feed cost per kg body weight gain in T₁, T₂, T₅ and T₆ was significantly (P<0.05) lower as compared to T₃ and T₄ groups. Thus DMI, growth rate and BCS gain with various forms of Sweetos® were significantly higher than control group and were at par with molasses group. On the basis of this study it may be concluded that Sweetos® in powder form seems suitable alternate for molasses in ruminant feeding as it did not affect the intake and digestibility of nutrients adversely.