Ten crossbred (Holstein X Haryana) cattle bulls of 327.9±10.5kg mean body weight were randomly divided in to two groups of five animals in each. While group I (control) was fed a complete feed having 50 parts of urea ammoniated wheat straw and 50 parts of concentrate mixture, in group II (experimental) animals were fed 25 parts, each of urea ammoniated wheat straw and urea ammoniated sugarcane bagasse, and 50 parts of concentrate mixture. Concentrate mixture in both the groups was similar, consisted of 20% maize grain, 45% wheat bran, 12% soybean meal, 20% molasses, 2% mineral mixture and 1% common salt. Experimental feeding was done for a period of 30 days followed by a 6 day metabolism trial. Proximate and fibre composition of both the complete feeds was comparable. The dry matter intake (DMI) in the two groups was similar (P>0.05) being 87.59 and 90.49g/kgW0.75 in group I and II, respectively. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and hemi-cellulose and intake of digestible nutrients (DDM, DOM, DCP AND TDN) were also comparable (P>0.05) in the two groups. There was also no difference (P>0.05) in the balances of nitrogen, calcium and phosphors in the two groups. These results indicated that urea ammoniated bagasse can be safely fed up to 25% level in the complete diet of adult animals (replacing 50% of the urea ammoniated wheat straw) without any adverse affect on intake and utilization of the nutrients.
Crossbred cattle bulls, urea ammoniated wheat straw, urea ammoniated sugarcane bagasse, nutrient intake, digestibility of nutrients, balance of N, Ca, P
