NUTRITIVE VALUE OF SOME LOCAL FORAGE FOR CATTLE IN CENTRAL VIETNAM

Abstract

Four male cattle were housed individually in metabolism pens. The daily feed intake
was restricted to 50g of DM/kgW0'7° and all animals were fed daily at 8:00, 14:00 and 20:00 h. The animal were fed four experimental diets (A: rice straw (70%) + molasses (28%) + urea (2%); B: urea treated rice straw (70%) + molasses (30%); C: rice straw (70%) + molasses (5%) + brew grain (23%) + urea (2%); D: urea treated rice straw (70%) + molasses (5%) + brew grain (25%)) according to a Latin Square (4 x 4) design. Each period consisted of 1 l days adaptation followed by 4 days collection of faeces and urine. Feed refusals were recorded daily and water was available at all times. Faeces were quantitatively collected and the urine was also collected quantitatively be sure pH < 3 with HZSO4 10%. The results showed that rice straw after treatment with urea digestibility of DM, OM, NDF (P<0.05) was increased and nitrogen retention also higher (P<0.05) and even better when urea treated rice straw was supplemented with brewers grain. The urinary purine derivatives was also higher (P<0.00l) from these diet. This showed the diet stimulating microbes in the rumen and made more protein available to the host animal.