Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Economics of Feeding Bypass Methionine and Lysine in Jaffrabadi Heifers

A feeding trial was conducted in growing Jaffrabadi heifers at Cattle Breeding Farm to study the effects of feeding cotton seed cake (CSC) and supplementation of bypass methionine and lysine supplementation on growth rate, body measurements, nutrients intake, nutrient digestibility, efficiency for feed and nutrient utilization and cost of feeding. Eighteen Jaffrabadi heifers were divided into three equal groups: control (T-I), CSC (T-II) and bypass methionine-lysine supplementation (T-III). The average total gain and average daily gain in live weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ as compared to those of T₁ and T₂ groups. The total DM intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ as compared to that in T₁ and T₂. The DMI per kg metabolic body size was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ as compared to that in T₁ and T₂ groups. The differences in digestibility coefficient for DM, OM, EE, CF, CP, NFE, NDF and ADF differed significantly (P<0.05) between T₁ and T₃, values in T₂ and T₃ were similar. Feed conversion ratio (DMI per kg live body weight gain) was similar in all the treatments. The cost of feeding per kg live weight gain was lowest in T₂ group and the highest in T₃ than control.