Effect of feeding hydroponic maize fodder with and without supplementation of probiotic (Saccharomysis cerevisiae) on nutrient utilization in calves

Hydroponics technology may become an alternative not only for the green fodder but also some part of concentrate in farm animals. A feeding trial of 120 days was conducted on total 36 male Gir calves. All the animals were offered basal feed ad lib. In addition, calves in group T1 were treated as control and were fed concentrate mixture as per requirement. For calves in T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of crude protein supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by hydroponics maize green fodder, respectively. Whereas in T6, T7, T8, T9 groups, 25% 50%, 75% and 100% of crude protein supplied through concentrate mixture was replaced by hydroponics maize green fodder alongwith probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), respectively. The results of statistical analysis of data revealed highly significant (P<0.01) effect of treatment i.e., feeding of hydroponics maize fodder at different levels with and without probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and acid detergent fibre digestibility in calves. There was non-significant effect of feeding hydroponics maize fodder at different levels with and without probiotic on ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and hemicelluloses.