Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition

Six adult male crossbred cattle (Bos Taurus × Bos indicus) and six adult male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) weighing 244.77±10.56 and 297.11±14.39 kg, respectively (Age=12–18 mon.) were distributed into three groups of two crossbred cattle and two buffalo each in 3×3 switch-over design. Animals were fed 3 TMR ad lib. consisting of concentrate mixture, wheat straw and maize fodder in the ratio of 60: 20: 20 (T₁), 40: 30: 30 (T₂) and 20: 40: 40 (T₃)., respectively. DM intake was comparable in cattle and buffalo. Digestibility of DM and OM was comparable between two species but digestibility of nutrients was lower in T₃ group. The mean digestibility of CP and EE was comparable among crossbred cattle and buffalo but there was significant difference among treatments. The CP digestibility increased significantly (P<0.05) with the inclusion of higher proportion of concentrate in diet. The digestibility of NDF, ADF and hemicellulose were comparable among cattle and buffalo but varied significantly (P<0.01) among treatments. The nitrogen retained (% of intake) was comparable between the species but it was higher (P<0.05) in group T₁ compared to T₃. Plane of nutrition was also similar in both the species. Nutritive value of rations and intakes of DCP and TDN were better in group T₁ than T₃. Over all, DMI intake, digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen utilization was comparable between cattle and buffaloes, however, these values were higher (P<0.05) in animals given TMR having concentrate: roughage ratio of 60: 40 as compared to those given concentrate: roughage ratio of 20: 80.