Nutrients utilization, nitrogen dynamics and weight gain in growing buffalo calves fed graded replacement of urea by corn steep liquor

Abstract

The study was planned to examine the influence of graded replacement of urea by corn steep liquor (CSL), a corn industry by-product, on growth performance of growing male buffalo calves. Fifty male buffalo calves of 9 months of age were randomly divided into five groups. Five iso- nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. The control diet was without CSL (CSL0) while in CSL20, CSL40, CSL60 and CSL80 diet CSL replaced 20, 40, 60 and 80% urea nitrogen, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) by calves fed diets containing varying levels of CSL differed significantly. Maximum and minimum DMI was recorded in calves fed CSL40 and CSL 80 diets, respectively. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibilities also differed significantly in calves fed diets with varying CSL concentration, however, DM and crude protein (CP)digestibilities remained unaltered across all diets. Calves fed CSL40 diet gained more weight than those fed CSL80 diet. Cost of feed per Kg live weight produced was higher in calves fed CSL0 diet than those fed CSL40; however feed conversion ratio was better in calves fed diets containing higher concentration of CSL. Hemaotological characteristics remained unchanged across all diets. The outcome of the study suggest that CSL can be used upto 40% as replacement of urea, on the basis of nitrogen supply, without any detrimental effects on growth performance of growing calves.